VA on Data Theft: In case you missed the national news coverage, Veteran Affairs confirmed that an electronic data file, taken home by an employee, was stolen. The data file contained names, social security numbers, and dates of birth for up to 26.5 million—yes, million—veterans and some spouses. There is no way to know at this point whether the thief knows what he has or can make use of it. VA plans to send individual notification letters but also suggests veterans go to this Web site to learn how to protect themselves from possible identity theft. (Here is the VA statement.)
As the Pentagon looks to deter China in the coming years, officials need to find ways to make new technologies and existing systems work together to build capacity, said former Defense Department policy chief Michèle Flournoy. In particular, Flournoy—a top defense analyst who served as undersecretary of defense for policy…