Convenience retailer Co-op has taken parts of its IT systems offline as a proactive measure to disrupt a hacking attempt, with “minor disruption” to its call centre and back office operations as a result.
It is understood that the retailer lost access to all its virtual desktops, but there has been no data breaches.
The Co-op operates over 2,500 supermarkets and 800 funeral homes across the UK and also supplies food to Nisa stores. A company spokesperson assured that its stores and funeral homes continue to operate normally despite the attempted hack.
The spokesperson added: “We are committed to minimising any impact on our services and appreciate the understanding of our colleagues, members, partners, and suppliers during this time.”
They also confirmed that: “We are not asking our members or customers to do anything differently at this point.”
It comes just over a week after M&S faced contactless payment issues, and problems with Click & Collect services, after a cyber attack – which is now being investigated by The Metropolitan Police.
There have also been reports that shelves in M&S stores have been left empty as the cyber incident hit its operational online ordering systems.
Hacking group Scattered Spider has been linked to the attack on M&S, it remains uncertain whether the retailer was the target of a ransom demand.
Ciaran Martin, the founding chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), told BBC Radio 4 this incident will have “serious” consequences for M&S. “It is a highly disruptive event and a very difficult one for them to deal with,” he said.
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