Co-op is latest retailer targeted by cyber attackers – Daily Business

Co-op Group has become the latest retailer to be targeted by cyber criminals who have tried to break into its systems.

The member-owned Co-op, which has more than 2,300 food stores across the UK as well as funeral care, legal and insurance businesses, said the attack had forced it to shut down some of its back office and call centre operations.

It said all its stores, online operations and funeral homes were trading as usual and it was working to reduce the impact on the business and customers.  It also provides food to Nisa shops.

The move comes just days after Marks & Spencer was subject to a cyberattack which has caused severe disruption to its online operations.

A Co-op spokesperson said, “We have recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorised access to some of our systems. We have taken proactive steps to keep our systems safe.”

The incident appears to have had less of an impact than the attack on Marks & Spencer, one of the UK’s best-known retailers, which has paused taking clothing and home orders through its website and app for the last six days.

The National Cyber Security Centre is working with both companies and the National Crime Agency said last week it was aware of the M&S incident.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that detectives from its Cyber Crime Unit were investigating the M&S attack.

There have been similar hacking attempts on supermarket chains in the past, with Morrisons being impacted by an incident in December.