A federal employee recently terminated due to a sweeping government reduction has raised concerns about the risk of financial and health data breaches affecting millions of veterans. This data is stored on a website meant for accessing their benefits. Jonathan Kamens, who was responsible for overseeing cybersecurity initiatives on VA.gov—the primary portal for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits—issued the warning. Kamens, who was discharged on February 14, believes that his position might remain vacant, increasing the site’s vulnerability.
Speaking about the staffing issues within the VA, Kamens expressed skepticism regarding their ability to find a suitable replacement. “Given the current governmental operations, I don’t foresee the VA compensating for my absence,” Kamens stated Monday night. He highlighted the essential role of robust cybersecurity measures in safeguarding the platform used by veterans, families, and caregivers.
His termination arose from a broad downsizing led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under presidential adviser Elon Musk. Efforts are part of a restructuring initiative that merged US Digital Service duties with DOGE. Kamens was an expert in digital services and managed cybersecurity for VA.gov when he received his termination notice via email, alongside about 40 other USDS employees.
The VA.gov website serves millions each month, and securing sensitive data such as health and financial details is crucial, Kamens explained. Despite other team members being tasked with shielding the site, he emphasized that his specialized skills cannot easily be replaced. He was the sole government engineer focused on cybersecurity for the site.
“The VA.gov site interfaces with numerous VA databases to deliver benefits to veterans,” Kamens explained. “A compromise in data security would put all this information at risk of malicious exploitation.” Despite Kamens’ departure, Peter Kasperowicz from the Veterans Affairs department assured that operations wouldn’t be affected, given that the department employs hundreds of cybersecurity experts within its nearly half-million workforce.
Additionally, over 20 former civil service employees who once worked for the USDS resigned from DOGE in protest. They expressed refusal to deploy their skills to dismantle essential public services.
Kamens also pointed out the stringent checks he underwent before accessing veteran data, questioning why the same scrutiny shouldn’t apply to Musk and DOGE. “Access to this sensitive data shouldn’t be granted to those who aren’t thoroughly vetted,” he remarked.
Kamens raised concerns over potential moves by DOGE to centralize data, previously decentralized across various agencies. He warned that this could heighten risks for misuse. He described existing confusion since DOGE’s involvement, with employees unsure about their management structure and isolated in their roles.
“The only plausible intention I can think of,” Kamens added, “is the potential misuse of data to target individuals seen as adversaries by the state.”
