The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is currently investigating a potential data breach that might have exposed the identities and contact details of tens of thousands of employees. Sources have indicated that this breach could be a significant security incident.
The breach reportedly may have revealed the names, titles, and locations of approximately 40,000 DHS employees and contractors. Among those affected are roughly 10,000 personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The breach also suggests the inclusion of phone numbers and email addresses in some cases, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The breach involves more than 20,000 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) employees, including Border Patrol staff. Multiple sources have verified the authenticity of parts of this data.
The data leak website, Distributed Denial of Secrets, announced on Wednesday the release of some employee information. Fox News confirmed that the leaked data includes names of some undercover ICE agents.
An anti-fascist hacking group, named the “Department of Peace,” has claimed responsibility for this breach. “DHS is aware of a potential breach and is actively working to address the situation swiftly and effectively,” a department spokesperson informed Fox News.
“We take all security threats against our employees and officers seriously and will work to ensure all are properly protected,” the spokesperson added. The DHS promised to provide public updates as more information becomes available.
Emma Best, co-founder of Distributed Denial of Secrets, stated they have developed a tool allowing the public to search the data, aiming to replace anonymity with accountability. Meanwhile, the “Department of Peace” expressed that since DHS has their information, it is only fair to have theirs, hoping the data will support efforts to limit harm by the DHS.
This breach is part of ongoing concerns about the security of government personnel records. Recently, a breach in the Pentagon’s personnel database exposed sensitive information of over 2.76 million living U.S. military and civilian personnel, in addition to 294,000 deceased individuals. This breach involved unauthorized access to unencrypted files with Social Security numbers and employment information between October 2025 and July 2026, as confirmed by a Pentagon official to Fox News.