Hacktivists claim to have hacked Homeland Security to release ICE contract data

A collective of hacktivists known as the "Department of Peace" has reportedly breached the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), resulting in the online release of sensitive documents. This incident was highlighted by the nonprofit group DDoSecrets, which unveiled contract data involving DHS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and over 6,000 associated companies, including well-known defense contractors like Anduril, L3Harris, Raytheon, as well as tech giants Microsoft and Oracle. The leaked information is said to originate from the Office of Industry Partnership, a DHS division responsible for acquiring technology from private entities. While DHS and ICE have yet to provide any comments on the breach, the hackers outlined their motivations in a statement accompanying the data release. They referenced the tragic deaths of two peaceful protesters, U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renée Good, who were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. The hackers expressed their sentiments by stating, "Why hack the DHS? I can think of a couple Pretti Good reasons! I’m releasing this because the DHS is killing us, and people deserve to know which companies support them and what they’re working on." Since the start of the Trump administration, the DHS and ICE have been under scrutiny for their aggressive mass deportation policies, targeting individuals with minimal or no criminal backgrounds and detaining them in facilities criticized for inhumane conditions. Several tech companies, particularly Palantir, have played significant roles in supporting these operations. In an effort to make the leaked data user-friendly, security researcher Micah Lee has organized the information on a dedicated website, allowing users to search through contractor names, awarded amounts, and contact details, including full names, email addresses, and phone numbers. Among the notable contracts disclosed are $70 million awarded to Cyber Apex Solutions, which claims to address security gaps in U.S. critical infrastructure, and $59 million to Science Applications International Corporation, known for providing AI services to government agencies. Additionally, Underwriters Laboratories received $29 million for testing, certification, and market intelligence services. As of now, Cyber Apex Solutions, SAIC, and Underwriters Laboratories have not responded to inquiries regarding the leaked information.