I think I could write a monthly feature on lost or stolen government laptops. The Naval Hospital Pensacola in Florida reported the latest stray on Tuesday.
The hospital said the laptop went missing from its pharmacy department and contained a database of names, Social Security numbers and dates of birth on 38,000 patients who used the pharmacy in the past year. The hospital said the information does not contain any personal health information.
The laptop has been missing since Aug. 18, has a damaged exterior and may have ended up in the junk pile, the hospital said, adding it believes any "malicious intent" in the disappearance of the laptop is unlikely.
Because the hospital cannot account for the laptop, it is sending letters to each person whose information was on the computer. The letter will include information on steps the patients can take to protect their identities. Anyone who believes their personal information was comprised can check out this FAQ.
Last month, the National Guard Bureau reported a laptop containing personal information on 131,000 guardsmen was stolen from one of its contractors.
Whose turn will it be next month?
COMMENTS
Was the database itself encrypted?
How secure was the encryption?
Was the computer tethered to a desk, etc.?
Was the room where the computer was housed secure (i.e. the pharmacy and drugs should have been locked up, so the computer should have been safe)?
Why was the data on a laptop? Did it need to be taken home? It should not have left the building.
Who was the person personally responsible for the computer?
Who was the person personally responsible for the data?
Waht do they say?
M.Packard 09/04/09 07:43 am ET