Rosen Demands Answers on Elimination of Critical Cybersecurity Personnel at Department of Health and Human Services

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert Kennedy Jr. expressing her deep concerns and demanding answers regarding the elimination of critical information technology and cybersecurity personnel and leadership at HHS. In the letter, Rosen highlighted the risks to Americans’ health data if left unprotected.
“I write to express my deep concerns over the recent reports that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has removed key Information Technology (IT) and cybersecurity personnel and leadership, leaving critical infrastructure unprotected and unmaintained,”wrote Senator Rosen.“I’m concerned the elimination of these key staff was made without clear justification or regard to the risk to cybersecurity, network and system functionality, and the potential for Americans’ health data to go unprotected.”
“As the second-largest department in the federal government, staff across HHS manage complex and large networks and systems, requiring specialized IT personnel,”she continued.“The reported removal of staff from tech offices across HHS is highly disturbing, as these staff were responsible for managing essential networks and systems, public-facing websites, enterprise services, and cybersecurity contracts.”
The full letter can be foundHERE.
Since she joined the Senate, Senator Rosen has been working across party lines to strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure. Last year, sheannouncedthat the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented herbipartisan lawto strengthen the cybersecurity of veterans’ personal information and data. Last Congress, Rosen’sbipartisan legislationto bolster cybersecurity in the health care and public health sectorsadvanced out of committee.
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