NBC29Kaine Addresses Possible Database Hack

Kaine Addresses Possible Database Hack

Governor Tim Kaine says he's keeping a close eye on the investigation into last week's computer breach of the Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program.

"I can't say everything I know, and I need to be a little careful because it is not only an ongoing investigation but there are some pieces of it that are particularly sensitive right now," Kaine told reporters Wednesday.

The governor won't say whether the breach occurred because the state computer system failed or because the hacker was particularly skilled. But Kaine is clear about who is ultimately responsible.

"A breach can refer to many things. This was an intentional criminal act against the Commonwealth," he said.

Virginia law says that if the state has your personal information in a database and that information is compromised, the Commonwealth must notify you in a reasonable amount of time.

Now nearly a week after the breach, Kaine says the state is not dragging its feet.

"There is an aspect of this investigation that is very sensitive that plays into when notification can take place," he said.

The governor added that the state is working two simultaneous operations -- re-securing the personal data, and trying to catch the person or people behind the cyber attack.

"The agency and others are working to do as much as they can, as quickly as they can, without compromising the ability to find who's done this."

Kaine also says that this process will be used as a learning tool for all state agencies about how to keep breaches like this from happening again in the future.

Reported by Adam Rhew
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