IT Infrastructure undergoing emergency maintenance following discovered hacking attempt, mere days since M&S's cyber attack incident.
Revised Article:
A cyber attack on Marks & Spencer just a few days ago, and an attempted hack on The Co-op today, have sent shockwaves through the retail sector. The Co-op, the UK's fifth-largest food retailer, had to take down parts of its IT system due to the attempted intrusion.
In a statement to employees, The Co-op confirmed they had taken steps to secure their systems, leading to a temporary withdrawal of access to certain systems. While some back-office and call center services were impacted, all stores, deliveries, and funeral homes continued as usual.
The group, which owns more than 2,500 grocery stores and over 800 funeral parlors, assures that they are working diligently to minimize disruption and thanks their colleagues, members, partners, and suppliers for their patience. Customers are not required to take any different actions, and the company will provide updates as necessary.
No clear link has been established between the cyber attack on M&S and the attempted hack on The Co-op. The alleged perpetrators of the M&S attack, a group known as Scattered Spider, have caused disruptions for more than a week by infiltrating the retailer's servers[1][2]. This shadowy collective, consisting of around 1,000 mainly British and American youths and young men, has been a major threat in the cybersecurity world due to their global attacks on major brands[2].
As of now, the circumstances surrounding the attempted hack on The Co-op remain unclear. Police and cybersecurity experts are still investigating both incidents to determine the full extent of the damage and the identities of those responsible.
References:1. "Marks and Spencer IT system down after cyber attack," BBC News, April 22, 2025. [Link not provided]2. "Marks & Spencer Cyber Attack: Detectives probe M&S meltdown as retailer hit by nightmare weekend," The Mirror, April 24, 2025. [Link not provided]
- The recent cyber attacks on Marks & Spencer and The Co-op, two prominent figures in the retail industry, have raised concerns about the security of business operations in the technology sector.
- The unauthorized attempts to breach The Co-op's IT system could potentially impact their shareholding and financial stability, as well as the general news coverage of the industry.
- The travel plans of customers who rely on online services may face disruptions if more supermarkets become victims of cyberattacks, as seen with the temporary withdrawal of access to certain systems at The Co-op.
- Insurers could face a spike in claims related to businesses affected by cyber attacks, illustrating the widespread implications of such incidents in the financial industry.
- Cybersecurity news has been dominated by the ongoing cyber meltdown at Marks & Spencer, as the Scattered Spider group continues to wreak havoc on various businesses worldwide.
- As cyberattacks against businesses like M&S and The Co-op become more common, it is crucial for all industries, including technology, finance, and general news sources, to prioritize addressing this growing threat to organizational security.
