DHS Investigates Large Data Breach Involving Employee Information
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is looking into what appears to be a significant data breach that may have revealed the identities and contact details of a large number of its employees, sources have shared.
This suspected breach has been described by insiders as a “catastrophic” security incident. It is believed to have potentially exposed names, job titles, locations, and, in some instances, phone numbers and email addresses of around 40,000 DHS employees and contractors. Of these, roughly 10,000 are personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to knowledgeable sources.
The compromised data reportedly includes information pertaining to over 20,000 employees from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which encompasses members of the Border Patrol. Several sources have confirmed that parts of this leaked data are indeed authentic.
A website known for releasing sensitive information, Distributed Denial of Secrets, announced that it had published details about these employees. Fox News independently verified that the data leak encompasses names of several undercover ICE agents operating in various regions across the country.
An anti-fascist hacking group calling itself the “Department of Peace” has taken responsibility for acquiring the information.
A spokesperson for DHS acknowledged the potential breach, stating that the department is actively working to resolve the issue promptly and effectively.
The spokesperson added, “We take all security threats against our employees and officers seriously and will work to ensure all are properly protected. We will update the public when more information is available.”
Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, mentioned in a statement that they developed a tool for the public to search the leaked data, aiming to “replace anonymity with accountability.” Meanwhile, the Department of Peace asserted that since DHS employees possess their information, it’s only fair that they have access to the employees’ details. They expressed hope that the data might help limit further harm caused by the DHS.
This breach raises ongoing concerns regarding the security of government personnel records. Just last month, another significant breach involving a Pentagon personnel database exposed sensitive information of over 2.76 million current U.S. military and civilian personnel, as well as 294,000 deceased individuals. Unauthorized users were able to access unencrypted files containing Social Security numbers and other employment details between October 2025 and July 2026, as previously confirmed by a Pentagon official.
