The U.S. Coast Guard has experienced a data breach that affected the payroll system, resulting in a delay of bi-weekly pay for 1,135 service members. The breach was confirmed by the Coast Guard in a statement released to USNI News, which acknowledged the impact on the affected personnel’s pay. In response, the Coast Guard Investigative Service and Cyber Command have launched a thorough investigation to identify the source of the breach and evaluate its effects. These agencies are working to resolve the issue and ensure that any vulnerabilities in the system are addressed.
As part of the response, the Coast Guard Personnel Service Center and Pay and Personnel Center are expediting payments to the impacted service members. They are committed to ensuring that all members who were affected by the delay receive their pay as soon as possible. In addition, the Coast Guard is pledging to provide timely updates to the workforce regarding the investigation and its resolution. The service aims to maintain transparency throughout the process and reassure its members that their concerns are being addressed.
The breach became public when a screenshot of two emails, shared on social media, indicated that the Coast Guard was aware of the issue. These emails suggested that service members should not disclose the breach until an official communication was issued. The breach’s details were later confirmed, with the Coast Guard emphasizing its commitment to resolving the incident and preventing future issues.
This incident marks the second data breach for the Coast Guard in 2025, following a similar breach in April that affected the Coast Guard Reserve.
The earlier breach in April 2025 had a broader impact, involving the exposure of personal information of more than 10,000 personnel. Among the affected data were home addresses, names, and employee identification numbers of hundreds of service members. The Coast Guard’s recurring data breaches have raised concerns about its data security measures, underscoring the need for improved protection of sensitive information and a more robust response to emerging threats.
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