An alleged data breach has exposed the identities of more than 41,000 officials at the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a database published online by a hacktivist group calling itself the Department of Peace.
The database appeared on Distributed Denial of Secrets (DDoSecrets), a nonprofit organisation known for publishing leaked information, late Wednesday, US time. The organisation said the data came from an Okta single sign-on service used by DHS.
The searchable database reportedly contains employee names, office details, contact information and work assignments. However, DDoSecrets cautioned that the material does not represent a complete list of DHS employees.
DHS Acknowledges Potential Breach
DHS and Okta had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
DHS told The Washington Post that it was “aware of a potential breach” and was “working to address the situation swiftly and effectively.”
The database appears to include personnel from several major agencies under DHS, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the department’s headquarters.
DDoSecrets co-founder Emma Best said the leaked information was not simply a directory of all department employees. According to Best, the database, called Icepick, identifies individuals involved in shaping DHS policies and operations.
The full scope of the alleged breach, the authenticity of all the records and the number of affected individuals have not been independently established.
Hacktivists Cite Immigration Enforcement Policies
The group calling itself the Department of Peace said it carried out the leak in response to remarks reportedly made by DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on July 17.
According to the group’s stated rationale, Mullin’s reported comments about ICE “turning up the heat on the streets” by intensifying immigration arrests and traffic stops prompted the action.
The alleged breach comes amid continuing political and public debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies during his second term.
ICE operations have faced growing criticism as the administration pursues increased arrests and deportations of suspected undocumented immigrants. Reports and video footage of agents using physical force during enforcement operations have added to the controversy.
The motive claimed by the hackers has not been independently verified, and the available information does not establish whether the alleged breach compromised government systems beyond the reported Okta-related data.
