By
Bob Brewin
The Veterans Affairs Department kicked off its pilot test of Apple iPads on Oct. 1 and experienced its first theft of one of the tablet computers the next day, VA Chief Information Officer Roger Baker reported in his monthly press call Wednesday morning.
Baker said the iPad was new, had never been issued to an employee and had not been loaded with any applications. He said the tablet computer was stolen from a VA information technology support staff office somewhere in the Washington area -- possibly at VA Washington headquarters -- but did not offer further details.
Baker said the wireless signal to the stolen laptop was killed as soon as the theft was reported, and VA police are investigating.
Baker told the media call that if applications had been loaded on the iPad, mobile device management services that VA plans to use to secure the tablets will allow the devices to be turned off and rendered useless.