Why Are So Many Supermarkets Getting Hacked Right Now? I Asked A Cybersecurity Expert

Marks and Spencer storeIt’s been a tough couple of weeks for supermarkets. First, M&S was hit by an ongoing cyber attack that followed days of contactless payment processing troubles. This has been linked to the hacking collective Scattered Spider. While the fallout from that disruption continued, Co-op was forced to disable some of its IT features as hackers attempted to override their system.Harrods has also been targeted. So far, the disruptions have cost retail giants millions of pounds, caused hiring freezes, and prevented the smooth supply of stock, leading to missing items. We spoke to cyber security expert Tom Exelby, ex-army bomb squad, and now Head of Cyber at Red Helix, about what he thinks is going on.An update from M&S pic.twitter.com/PSbIGHJtMY— M&S (@marksandspencer) April 25, 2025“It’s no surprise that high-profile retailers are being targeted” The cybersecurity expert tells us he’s not surprised big-name supermarkets have been hit. “The breadth of their digital environments, size of supply chain and their sensitivity to disruption make them prime targets for hackers,” he tells us.“They also hold lots of sensitive personal and financial data which can be valuable to sell or used for extortion,” Exelby adds (think of how much information you give to a company when, for instance, you sign up for a loyalty card). The expert says some supermarkets’ sheer size can increase their vulnerability, too.“As any business expands their digital ecosystem, the risk posed by third-parties grows,” he tells us.“The more interconnected your supply chain, the more doors you potentially leave open to cyber criminals. So, for retailers, who operate so many different information systems, this presents a significant challenge.” Supermarket hacks have far-reaching consequences“These attacks have consequences far beyond the company breached – they send shockwaves through the entire supply chain,” Exelby tells HuffPost UK. “Suppliers and vendors worry they’ve been compromised or used as entry points. The cost of the distraction alone will be significant and emotional toll on individuals considerable.” Events like these highlight the importance of businesses using proactive defensive and having a solid worst-case scenario plan, he continues. “Both M&S and Co-op’s ability to maintain a certain level of trading during the disruption shows signs of that in action,” the security pro writes. “If loss of data is involved, especially if it contains personal identifiable information or login credentials, the ripple effects multiply. This can be highly valuable on the dark web and a path for criminals to launch more cyberattacks.”Related...'Finally': Spotify Users Celebrate Change To Its Most 'Hated' FeaturePeople Are Just Realising Why So Many 24-Hour Supermarkets Disappeared, And HuhSo THAT's Why Supermarkets Really Change Their Layouts

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