Data breach advice

Not long after a data breach involving the Department of Veterans Affairs, David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office, gave testimony to a House committee on steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of personal data being stolen. The first is to conduct a privacy-impact assessment before deploying new systems; Walker noted that agencies do not always do this. He also recommended limiting the collection of personal information, and limiting the time that such information is retained. @ Privacy: Preventing and Responding to Improper Disclosures of Personal Information is available at SM Online.