A hacktivist group known as the Department of Peace leaked records belonging to over 41,000 Homeland Security personnel, including email addresses, phone numbers, and office addresses. Of these, 21,000 identify Customs and Border Protection agents and 10,000 belong to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) staff. A third of the leaked data relates to Homeland Security Investigations, the criminal arm of ICE.
The breach was allegedly executed via Okta, the single sign-on service used by the Department of Security. Following recent fatal shootings, Secretary Markwayne Mullin vowed to "turn up the heat" on agents, prompting the group to release the data in protest. The hackers shared the stolen records with transparency nonprofit Distributed Denial of Secrets and researcher maia arson crimew, who created a searchable database dubbed "Icepick." Emma Best of Distributed Denial of Secrets noted the files expose links between officials overseeing covert operations and key personnel in DHS's rendition and deportation programs.
A Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed awareness of the breach and stated the agency is working to address the situation and protect employees. Okta denied any compromise of its data or systems. The leak underscores escalating tensions surrounding ICE enforcement activities and employee safety.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing