GovernmentExecutive.com

The chief information security officer for the Veterans Affairs Department has resigned.

The resignation of CISO Pedro Cadenas was revealed during questioning at a House Veterans Affairs' Committee hearing on a security breach last month in which a laptop was stolen. Chief Information Officer Bob Howard said he received an e-mail about the resignation Thursday morning.

Cadenas tried to resign two weeks ago, but Howard talked him out of it. "As far as I know, [the resignation] was due to pressure in his family because of what is going on," Howard said.

Cadenas has been involved with the forensic investigation of the data breach involving the records of 26.5 million veterans. The VA announced Thursday that the stolen laptop has been recovered and that the FBI is conducting tests to see if the data was compromised.

Howard said replacing Cadenas amid the effort to revamp the VA technology department will be difficult.

COMMENTS

• When the going gets tough, the tough get going. After three years and seven months on the government dole, Mr. Cadenas, now being faced with real work, cries out, "I just can't do this anymore...” Regrettably Mr. Cadenas failed to see the unique opportunity that just opened up in the VA to practice his craft, which is meaningful IT security work. Sure the VA, like other organizations, needs to be held accountable; however, bailing out when the organization truly needs the expertise and then blaming the organization for your failure is not honorable. If Mr. Cadenas truly had a conscience and professionalism, then question begs to be asked, why didn't you leave earlier? James N. Phillips Jr. Posted July 6, 2006 8:36 AM