The British high street chain M&S has been hit by a cyber attack, which has resulted in delays to its Click and Collect orders. The company has made “minor, temporary changes” to its store operations to protect its customers and business, and customers have been warned that delays may still be experienced.
| What happened? | M&S has been managing a cyber incident, with reports of customers being unable to pay using contactless methods and collect online orders over the weekend. |
| How is the company responding? | M&S has said it is working with cyber security experts to investigate and manage the incident, and has taken actions to protect its network. |
The attack is understood to have affected the company’s online services, including its website and app, as well as its in-store systems. However, it is reported that contactless payments are now working again in stores.
- The company has made “minor, temporary changes” to its store operations to protect its customers and business.
- M&S is currently working with cyber security experts to investigate and manage the incident.
- The company is taking actions to protect its network and has reported the incident to data protection supervisory authorities and the National Cyber Security Centre.
M&S chief executive Stuart Machin has sent an email to customers, reassuring them that the situation is under control and that no customer data has been compromised.
“ I’m writing to let you know that over the last few days M&S has been managing a cyber incident. To protect you and the business, it was necessary to temporarily make some small changes to our store operations, and I am sincerely sorry if you experienced any inconvenience. Importantly, our stores remain open, and our website and App are operating as normal. There is no need for you take any action at this time and if the contactless payments are not working, you can still use your card or cash to make a payment. There may be some limited delays to your Click & Collect order, which we are working hard to resolve.”
Jake Moore, a global cybersecurity adviser at internet security firm Eset, has weighed in on the situation, saying: “This highlights the significant impact cyber attacks can have in the public domain. Many ransomware attacks are dealt with behind the scenes which can make people think the problems are eroding but when customers are directly affected, the knock-on effects are far more widely noted. Luckily, it seems no customer data has been taken in the attack but this situation widens the reality that card-only payments may not yet be the answer in a time when cyber attacks are just as prevalent as they’ve ever been.”
Despite the delays, customers have been reassured that M&S is doing everything it can to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. M&S is taking steps to ensure the security of its network and is working closely with cyber security experts to mitigate the impact of the attack. The company is also using this opportunity to remind customers of the importance of protecting their personal data and online security.
Why Card-Only Payments May Not Be Enough
Jake Moore highlights the limitations of card-only payments in the face of a cyber attack. He suggests that while card-only payments may have provided some level of security in the past, they are not enough to protect against all types of cyber threats.
- Cyber attacks can be launched from anywhere in the world, making it difficult to track and contain the threat.
- Card-only payments do not provide adequate protection against malware and other types of cyber threats.
- The increasing use of contactless payments and other digital payment methods has not eliminated the risk of cyber attacks.
Moore emphasizes that the use of card-only payments should not be seen as a foolproof solution to cyber attacks. Instead, it is essential to use a combination of security measures, including two-factor authentication, encryption, and regular security updates, to protect against all types of cyber threats.
M&S Takes Action to Protect Its Network
M&S has reported the incident to data protection supervisory authorities and the National Cyber Security Centre, and is working closely with cyber security experts to investigate and manage the incident. The company is taking steps to protect its network and has implemented a range of security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Security Measures
- Network monitoring
- Firewall protection
- Encryption
- Regular security updates
- Two-factor authentication
M&S is also using this opportunity to remind customers of the importance of protecting their personal data and online security.
The Importance of Online Security
In light of the recent cyber attack, it is essential for customers to take steps to protect their personal data and online security. This includes:
- Using strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
- Enabling two-factor authentication for all accounts.
- Regularly updating software and operating systems.
- Being cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments.
By taking these steps, customers can help to prevent cyber attacks and protect their personal data and online security.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the recent cyber attack on M&S highlights the significant impact that these types of attacks can have in the public domain. While the company is taking steps to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, it is essential for customers to take steps to protect their personal data and online security. By using a combination of security measures, including two-factor authentication, encryption, and regular security updates, customers can help to prevent cyber attacks and protect their personal data and online security.
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