Harrods Becomes Latest UK Retailer to Face Cyber Threat as M&S' Struggles Persist

LONDON (AP) — The latest wave of cyber attacks has struck again, with luxury London department store Harrods confirming that it has become the latest target. This comes just a day after British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) reported a nearly two-week-long cyberattack that has left it unable to process any online orders.

M&S first reported the issue over the Easter weekend, and since then, its operations have been significantly impacted. Initially, contactless payments and click-and-collect orders were affected, but contactless payments have since been restored. However, M&S now states that it will no longer be able to take orders through its website or app due to the ongoing cyberattack.

The company has also struggled to hire new workers after pulling job postings from its website. London's Metropolitan Police force has launched an investigation into the attack on M&S. In a statement, the company stated that it is "working day and night" to manage the current cyber incident and get things back to normal for customers as quickly as possible.

Harrods' own IT systems were compromised in an attempt to gain unauthorized access to their systems. The luxury retailer has taken steps to restrict internet access across its sites as a precautionary measure, citing the recent breaches at M&S and Co-op.

"We are not asking our customers to do anything differently at this point, and we will continue to provide updates as necessary," Harrods said in a statement. The company's latest update comes after reports suggested that the hacking group Scattered Spider was behind the M&S attack. However, it remains unclear if the three attacks are linked.

Cybersecurity experts warn that hackers are taking calculated risks by trying to replicate the actions of others to cause as much disruption as possible. Cody Barrow, chief executive of cybersecurity experts EclecticIQ, said that the flurry of attacks showed cybercriminals becoming bolder and exploiting weaknesses across complex supply chains.

Experts attribute the escalating threat landscape to generative artificial intelligence. To stay on top of developments and shore up their defenses against cyberattacks, firms and individuals must prioritize staying informed and fortifying their cybersecurity measures.

A Growing Concern

The U.K. National Cyber Security Centre is working with organizations affected by the attacks as well as providing expert advice to others in the sector. Agency CEO Richard Horne stated that these incidents should act as a wake-up call to all organizations, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and preparedness against cyber threats.

"Coming on the heels of recent breaches at Co-op and M&S, it highlights an alarming trend," said Cody Barrow. The incident underscores the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and the need for continuous monitoring and improvement in the face of evolving threat landscapes.