UK Minister Tells Businesses to 'Wake Up' After Marks & Spencer Hack

In a stern warning to businesses across the UK, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden has urged companies to take immediate action to protect themselves against cyber threats. The call comes on the heels of a spate of attacks on retailers, including Marks & Spencer Group Plc, which has been struggling with disruptions since a ransomware attack hit its systems last week.

The warning from McFadden is clear: "These attacks need to be a wake-up call for every business in the UK," he will say at the CyberUK conference in Manchester next week. The remarks were released by his department, and come as part of a broader effort to reassure businesses that the government is taking steps to help protect them against hacking attempts.

Earlier this month, McFadden led a briefing with security officials, including Richard Horne, chief of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), an arm of GCHQ. The meeting was convened in response to the hacks on M&S and the Co-op supermarket chain. A ransomware attack was to blame for the disruption at M&S, with hackers using a potent kind of malware to lock down some of the British retailer's systems and render them inaccessible.

"In a world where the cyber criminals targeting us are relentless in their pursuit of profit, with attempts being made every hour of every day, companies must treat cyber security as an absolute priority," McFadden will say next week. The minister will announce further steps that the government is taking to help protect businesses against hacking attempts.

One key initiative is the Cyber Resilience Bill, which aims to shore up the defenses of IT services providers who offer critical national infrastructure support. As part of this legislation, ministers will require 1,000 companies providing these services to upgrade their cyber security measures.

The NCSC has also urged businesses to follow its advice on minimizing the risks of hacks. The center's website provides a wealth of information and guidance for companies looking to protect themselves against cyber threats.

With the threat of cyber attacks growing by the hour, McFadden's warning is timely and urgent. Businesses must take immediate action to protect themselves against these threats, or risk facing devastating consequences. As McFadden so clearly puts it: "These attacks need to be a wake-up call for every business in the UK."