Hackers obtain sensitive information of co-op members, prompting an apology from the organization
In a recent turn of events, the Co-op has found itself in deep waters after hackers successfully accessed and extracted sensitive member data. This data included names, contact details, and other personal information. The retail giant admitted that the hackers had breached one of their systems, leading to the exposure of data linked to a significant number of current and past members.
Interestingly, fellow retailers Harrods and Marks & Spencer have also fallen victim to cyber attacks. The Co-op's woes come on the heels of the ransomware attack suffered by Marks & Spencer, which has disrupted their online order processing since last Friday.
Authorities, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), are currently investigating these attacks individually, albeit aware that they might be interconnected. The NCA's probe aims to uncover the culprits behind these malicious activities.
"As a company, we take the security of our members' and customers' data very seriously," said a Co-op spokesperson. "We have implemented measures to ensure our systems are secure and minimize disruption to our members, customers, employees, and partners."
The breach has inevitably affected the Co-op's back office and call center services, but its more than 2,000 grocery stores and 800 funeral parlors across the UK continue to operate as usual.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) views these attacks as a clear warning to all businesses. Dr. Richard Horne, the CEO of NCSC, emphasized the importance of following the advisories provided on the NCSC website to ensure businesses have the necessary measures in place to prevent and respond effectively to such attacks.
In the wake of the breach, the Co-op encourages its members to update their passwords and use two-factor authentication as additional security measures. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is also actively involved in the investigations into the Co-op and Marks & Spencer cyber attacks.
- The ongoing series of cyber attacks against retailers, such as the one experienced by the Co-op, underscores the critical importance of robust cybersecurity in the era of advanced technology.
- Amidst the general-news headlines about crime-and-justice, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) urges businesses to diligently follow cyberscurity advisories to safeguard their data and systems from potential breaches.
