# M&S ‘Working Day and Night’ to Manage Impact of Cyber Attack
The UK's iconic high street retailer, Marks & Spencer (M&S), has revealed that it is "working day and night" to mitigate the impact of a devastating cyber attack. The company's chief executive, Stuart Machin, has issued an apology to customers for the inconvenience caused by the attack, which first came to light over the Easter weekend.
Since then, M&S has been struggling to recover, with its online systems severely impacted. The retailer initially reported issues with contactless payments and click-and-collect orders but later revealed that it would no longer be able to process any online orders due to the cyber incident. As a result, customers have faced significant disruptions to their shopping experience.
Machin acknowledged the frustration caused by the situation, saying: "We are really sorry that we've not been able to offer you the service you expect from M&S over the last week." He assured customers that the company's teams were working tirelessly to resolve the issue and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has also taken notice of the incident, with Deputy Commissioner Stephen Bonner confirming that the organization is "making enquiries" into the attack. The ICO has been working closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to investigate the matter further.
In a separate development, Harrods, another prominent retail chain, has revealed that it had also fallen victim to an attempted hack. The luxury London department store took steps to restrict internet access across its sites as a precautionary measure following the incident.
M&S is not alone in its struggles with cyber security; several other retailers have also reported issues with hacking attempts. However, the severity of the impact on M&S has been significant, with the company unable to hire new workers due to concerns over the stability of its online systems.
In a statement to customers, Machin thanked them for their patience and understanding during this challenging period. He expressed his gratitude for their support, saying: "We do not take it for granted and we are incredibly grateful." While there is no timeline yet for when normal operations will resume, M&S's teams remain committed to resolving the issue and restoring the service customers expect from the retailer.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: cyber security remains a pressing concern for businesses across various sectors. As the ICO continues its investigation into the Marks & Spencer incident, it serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and preparedness in protecting against such attacks.
**The Current Situation:**
* M&S has shut down parts of its online systems to deal with the cyber attack. * The retailer is unable to process any online orders due to the incident. * The company has seen significant disruptions to its operations since the attack first came to light over the Easter weekend. * The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating the incident, along with a similar hack attempt on the Co-op Group.
**Retailers Affected:**
* Marks & Spencer * Harrods * The Co-op Group
**Key Takeaways:**
* Cyber security remains a pressing concern for businesses across various sectors. * Retailers must be vigilant and prepared to protect against hacking attempts. * Customers are advised to remain patient and understanding during this challenging period.