Hackers Reveal Personal Data of Over 40,000 DHS Agents in Major Breach
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has suffered a significant data breach, with over 41,000 workers' details exposed, including ICE agents.
Over 41,000 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) workers and undercover ICE agents' personal details were recently leaked, marking a substantial breach of sensitive information 123456. The exposure includes email addresses, phone numbers, and office addresses, among other particulars, providing a detailed glimpse into the lives of these federal employees 16.
Transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets and a journalist obtained the data, which was last updated on August 19, 2026, and covers DHS and seven component agencies, including ICE and CBP 36. The Department of Peace, the self-proclaimed name of the hackers, claimed responsibility for obtaining the data from DHS's Okta sign-on service 36.
Okta, the login system used by DHS for its records, stated there was no evidence of a breach in their systems, indicating the leak might have originated elsewhere within the DHS infrastructure 15. Reuters verified some of the personal information in the leak through credit bureau records and direct contact with DHS employees, confirming the accuracy of the data 32.
The leaked information includes job titles and details about special operations and undercover work, revealing ICE agents' access to web surveillance tools and online therapy services such as Headspace 356. Additionally, almost 1,000 records are for CISA employees, and several user groups referenced Penlink, a web surveillance company with a contract with ICE 5.
Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, stated that the data would increase accountability, highlighting the significance of the breach for transparency and public understanding of government operations 3. The leak occurred at a time when DHS was trying to unmask social media critics and protestors, adding a layer of complexity to the situation 3.
This incident is the third significant US government data breach in recent weeks, following one at the Defense Department and another involving FBI employee data 2. The Department of Homeland Security's ongoing efforts to expand its definition of 'doxing' and pursue its critics make this latest breach particularly noteworthy 16.
What we know
- Over 41,000 DHS workers and undercover ICE agents' details were leaked 123456
- Transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets and a journalist obtained the data 123456
- Okta is the login system used by DHS for its records 145
- Over 21,000 records pertain to CBP employees 345
- Okta stated there was no evidence of a breach in their systems 15
- Reuters verified some of the personal information in the leak 32
- The leak contains job titles and details about special operations and undercover work 36
- The Department of Peace claimed responsibility for obtaining the data from DHS's Okta sign-on service 36
- The data includes email addresses, phone numbers, and office addresses 16
- The leak covers DHS and seven component agencies, including ICE and CBP 16
- DHS has been pursuing its critics and expanding definition of 'doxing' 16
- The leak occurred at a time when DHS was trying to unmask social media critics and protestors 3
- The data revealed ICE agents' access to web surveillance tools and online therapy services 5
- Data was last updated on August 19, 2026 16
- Hackers called themselves the 'Department of Peace' 16
- This is the third significant US government data breach in recent weeks 2
- Previous breaches included one at the Defense Department and another involving FBI employee data 2
- Almost 1,000 records are for CISA employees 5
- Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, stated the data would increase accountability 3
- Over 200 CBP users are associated with Mobile Fortify, a facial recognition app 5
- Some senior DHS officials have access to ChatGPT 5
What remains unclear
Verification report
Likely accurate — probability of truth 76%, weighted across 25 claims from 6 independent outlets.
- confirmed Over 41,000 DHS workers and undercover ICE agents' details were leaked. (97%)
- confirmed Transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets and a journalist obtained the data. (97%)
- confirmed DHS uses Okta login system for its records. (94%)
- confirmed Over 21,000 records pertain to CBP employees. (93%)
- confirmed Okta stated there was no evidence of a breach in their systems. (86%)
- confirmed Reuters verified some of the personal information in the leak through credit bureau records and direct contact with DHS employees. (86%)
- confirmed The leak also contains job titles and details about special operations and undercover work. (85%)
- confirmed The Department of Peace claimed responsibility for obtaining the data from DHS's Okta sign-on service. (85%)
- likely The leaked information includes email addresses, phone numbers, and office addresses. (72%)
- likely Records cover DHS and seven component agencies, including ICE and CBP. (72%)
- likely DHS has been pursuing its critics and expanding definition of 'doxing'. (72%)
- likely The leak occurred at a time when DHS was trying to unmask social media critics and protestors. (71%)
- likely The data revealed ICE agents' access to web surveillance tools and online therapy services. (71%)
- unverified Approximately 7,000 records belong to ICE staff. (50%)
- disputed About 6,600 individuals in the leak work for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (29%)
- likely Data was last updated on August 19, 2026. (72%)
- likely Hackers called themselves the 'Department of Peace'. (72%)
- likely This is the third significant US government data breach in recent weeks. (72%)
- likely Previous breaches included one at the Defense Department and another involving FBI employee data. (72%)
- likely Almost 1,000 records are for CISA employees. (71%)
- likely Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, stated the data would increase accountability. (71%)
- likely Approximately 4,500 users, including ICE agents, are part of a user group with access to Headspace. (71%)
- likely Several user groups referenced Penlink, a web surveillance company with a contract with ICE. (71%)
- likely Over 200 CBP users are associated with Mobile Fortify, a facial recognition app. (71%)
- likely Some senior DHS officials have access to ChatGPT. (71%)
Sources
- Ars Technica — Massive leak exposes 41,000 DHS workers and undercover ICE agents
https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/10/massive-leak-exposes-41000-dhs-workers-and-undercover-ice-agents/ - Deutsche Welle — US: Department of Homeland Security data leak exposes details of more than 40,000 employees
https://www.dw.com/en/us-department-of-homeland-security-data-leak-exposes-details-of-more-than-40-000-employees/a-79791765?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf - The Guardian US Politics — Non-profit group leaks data of more than 40,000 homeland security workers
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/28/homeland-security-data-leak - The Verge — A hacker stole more than 40,000 DHS employee records
https://www.theverge.com/tech/1021528/ice-cbp-data-leak - TechCrunch — Hacker stole personnel data about thousands of Homeland Security employees, including CBP and ICE agents
https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/28/hacker-stole-personnel-data-about-thousands-of-homeland-security-employees-including-cbp-and-ice-agents/ - Wired — Massive Leak Exposes 41,000 Homeland Security Workers—Including Undercover ICE Agents
https://www.wired.com/story/massive-leak-exposes-41000-homeland-security-workers-including-undercover-ice-agents/