Jaguar Land Rover Production Halts After Cyber Attack Claimed by Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has been struck by a severe cybersecurity incident, leading to widespread disruption of its production and retail operations. The attack, claimed by a group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, has forced the closure of JLR's Halewood plant near Liverpool since Monday and is expected to continue until Wednesday. This incident follows a string of cyber attacks on other UK retailers this year, raising concerns about the nation's cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned that the UK is underestimating the risks from cyberattacks and failing to adequately prepare for them. Richard Horne, the head of the NCSC, called for the UK to adopt a strategic policy agenda to tackle the growing threat. JLR, which reported revenues of £28.99 billion last year and employs over 39,000 people worldwide, confirmed the incident and took immediate action to mitigate its impact by proactively shutting down its systems.
The cyber attack has impacted both JLR's production facilities and its retail outlets, severely disrupting the company's security measures. While there is no evidence that any customer data has been stolen, the incident has caused significant disruption to JLR's retail and production activities. This is not an isolated incident; JLR joins a list of UK household names, including Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, and Harrods, that have been targeted by cyber attacks this year.
The cyberattack campaign against JLR, which began on 31 August 2025, has highlighted the vulnerability of UK businesses to cyber threats. As JLR works to restore its systems and resume normal operations, the NCSC's call for a strategic policy agenda to tackle cyber risks becomes increasingly urgent. With the UK's reliance on digital systems growing, it is crucial that businesses and the government work together to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity and better prepare for potential attacks.
