Tuesday, August 13, 2013

HHS IG: Obamacare data hub won't be secure until system starts Oct. 1 --- maybe | WashingtonExaminer.com

The Department of Health and Human Services won't certify that the so-called Obamacare "data hub" used to collect and verify personal health and financial information of health insurance applicants is secure until the system kicks in on October 1--unless further delays push it back further.
The department's assistant inspector general told a convention of auditors Tuesday morning that the office handling Obamacare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, is still testing to make sure the system is secure from hackers and other digital attacks.
Kay Daly said that CMS has promised the HHS inspector general that the system security certification will come on time, the day before Obamacare kicks in. But in a sign of doubt, she added, "We are looking forward to seeing how this all works out."
In her address to the American Institute of CPAs, she said that CMS is "looking at the vulnerability assessments of the hub" used by state, federal and insurance company officials to judge applicants. The information being collected includes salary, Social Security numbers, personal health information and even pregnancy status.
Daly said that the system doesn't store data, but lawmakers on Capitol Hill have worried that it is too vulnerable to a hacker attack.
Daly sounded cautious in her comments. "Isn't there always a however," she asked.

CONTINUED:  HHS IG: Obamacare data hub won't be secure until system starts Oct. 1 --- maybe | WashingtonExaminer.com

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