M&S Cyberattack: Human Error Costs Retailer £300 Million

Marks & Spencer suffers a £300 million cyberattack due to human error. The incident caused significant disruption to the retailer's online operations and delivery systems, leaving shelves empty in stores across the country. The company has confirmed that the attack, first detected in April, was caused by human error and is expected to last until July. Stuart Machin, Chief Executive of M&S, stated that the food business is delivering stock to stores in the normal way and that customers should find better availability soon. However, the disruption has resulted in increased food waste and a temporary halt to online orders. Dr Amna Khan from Manchester Metropolitan University commented on the impact of the incident on consumer trust, emphasizing that while trust can be rebuilt, it takes time. The attack also highlights the vulnerability of major retailers to cyber threats, with similar incidents affecting other high street brands in recent weeks. While M&S assures that no usable customer payment data was accessed, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the digital age.