Database Glitch Might Have Exposed Data on 7,000 Vets

A Veterans Affairs Department vendor discovered a potential security flaw in one of its patient systems that helps provide home telehealth services.

The contractor informed the department of the compromise on Nov. 4.

"An investigation was immediately initiated and security scans were conducted by VA, which confirmed the concern," a VA spokesman said. "The contracted vendor has assured VA that only vendor staff and VA staff had accessed this information. The security flaw in the vendor database was immediately corrected and VA continues to closely monitor the application."

The department says the data affected could include name, address, date of birth, phone number and VA patient identification number.

The spokesman did not name the contractor involved.