Jim Nicholson, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs secretary, on Monday said that every VA department computer will soon undergo upgrades that include <A HREF="http://www.cio.com/blog_view.html?CID=23867">improved information security encryption.</A> The VA plans on having all laptops upgraded within a month, and upgrades of its desktop machines, as well as portable drives and other media, will follow soon thereafter. Laptop encryption will begin on Aug. 18.