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NIOSH Radiation Dose Reconstruction Program








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            Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative
                We are taking steps to continue to modernize and secure our data, applications, and systems. We completed the first phase and restored many of the functions put on pause in May 2021. Now that the first phase is complete, work will resume at a slower pace but will speed up as new systems and applications are brought online. For more information and updates, please visit our Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative web page.
								

				FAQs: Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative						Print
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					Recent cybersecurity breaches have highlighted the threat of external attacks on federal government data systems. For this reason, we reviewed and updated our data, applications, and systems that serve our claimants. This ensured the continued protection of sensitive personal data. We paused some of our work to expedite the review. We completed the first phase of the initiative on September 15, 2021, and restored most core program functions.
Although NIOSH restored these critical functions, work will temporarily proceed at a slower pace. Speed will increase as new automation and data management capabilities are implemented through late January 2022. DCAS will have full functionality and process claims at the normal pace by the end of June 2022.
Select the question you are interested in below by clicking its link. Links throughout the FAQs will guide you to further information.Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative
Why did NIOSH need to pause program work to make these IT updates?
	Pausing our work allowed us to expedite our review. Without users in the system, our IT Specialists could focus on modernizing and securing our data, applications, and systems without interruption.
Some program work continued during the pause. For example, we continued to process SEC petitions and dose reconstructions that were already in our system. NIOSH paused the processing of new SEC petitions and dose reconstructions until we were able to receive dosimetry data from DOE again.How long did the pause last?
	This pause lasted about four months (May 3, 2021 – September 15, 2021). Some program work continued during the pause, such as processing SEC petitions and dose reconstructions already in our system.What program functions did NIOSH pause?
	From May 3, 2021, through September 15, 2021, there was a pause in some data transfers between DCAS, DOL, and the Department of Energy (DOE) as we proceeded with the important cybersecurity modernization.
This includes a hold on:
receiving new or rework case referrals from DOL,
returning completed dose reconstructions to DOL, and
receiving individual and site-specific dosimetry information from DOE.During this pause, we continued to process SEC petitions and dose reconstructions already in our system. Most of the program’s core functions have resumed.  NIOSH is actively processing new SEC petitions and dose reconstructions.How long has NIOSH known the IT systems needed to be updated? Why did it take so long to act?
	NIOSH continuously evaluates our IT systems for necessary updates. However, recent cybersecurity breaches have highlighted the threat of external attacks on federal government data systems. For this reason, we conducted a comprehensive review. We saw this as an opportunity to update our data, applications, and systems that serve our claimants. This review ensured the continued protection of sensitive personal data. Protecting our sensitive data is a top priority. Our efforts will enhance our data security for many years to come.Has there been a data breach of the PII/claimant information?
	No, there was no data breach of NIOSH’s data systems.Was PII/claimant information previously protected?
	Yes, all PII/claimant information is protected under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). These Acts protect records that contain personally identifiable information (PII).
For more information on PII, please see our Privacy Act and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) section on our Handling Sensitive Data website page.Will NIOSH be communicating about the modernization initiative to individuals whose claims are currently under dose reconstruction?
	On April 30 and May 3, 2021, we:
Announced this pause publicly on our website on the DCAS Headlines page, under “May 3: Cybersecurity Modernization Initiative”
Added a notification banner on all pages of our website
Sent an email to DCAS website subscribers
Sent an email to claimant advocatesOn September 3, 2021 we:
Announced status updates about the pause on the DCAS Headlines page
Updated the notification banner on all pages of our website
Sent an email to DCAS website subscribers
Sent an email to claimant advocatesOn September 15, 2021, we:
Announced the end of the pause on the DCAS Headlines page
Updated the notification banner on all pages of our website
Sent an email to DCAS website subscribers
Sent an email to claimant advocatesDid this pause affect the work needed for the Savannah River Site SEC designation?
	No, the pause did not affect the work done on the Savannah River Site SEC designation.How will NIOSH address any backlog of dose reconstructions from this pause?
	NIOSH will focus on improvements for the data, applications, and systems needed to process dose reconstructions to make the process as efficient as possible. NIOSH is reassigning staff and bringing in new resources to ensure the backlog of claims is completed as quickly as possible. Dose reconstructions for terminally ill claimants are always the highest priority, and other claims are processed on a first come, first serve basis.How can I find out the status of my claim?
	You can obtain the status of your case in one of the following ways:
**Mail:**
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Robert A. Taft Laboratories, MS-C45
1090 Tusculum Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45226
**Phone:**
ORAU Toll Free 800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728)
Direct: 513-533-6800
Toll-free: 1-877-222-7570
Bypass the phone directory and contact a NIOSH Program Analyst directly. Program Analysts oversee the processing of cancer cases filed under Part B of the Act that are forwarded to NIOSH for dose reconstruction by the Department of Labor. They are assigned to cases based upon the Department of Labor (DOL) District Office where you originally filed your claim:
Jacksonville, FL: (513) 533-8425
Cleveland, OH: (513) 533-8423
Denver, CO: (513) 533-8426
Seattle, WA: (513) 533-8424**E-mail:** dcas@cdc.govWhat actions has the federal government taken to improve cybersecurity?
	On May 12, 2021, the President signed an Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. This Executive Order “calls for federal agencies to work more closely with the private sector to share information, strengthen cybersecurity practices, and deploy technologies that increase reliance against cyberattacks.” It directs all Federal Information Systems to meet or exceed the standards and requirements for cybersecurity included in the order.
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  June 30, 2022						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
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