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In a recent cyber-attack on the Co-op, the chief executive confirmed that all 6.5 million members had their data stolen. Shirine Khoury-Haq expressed her devastation over the situation, particularly for the impact it had on colleagues who tried to contain the breach. The stolen information consisted of names, addresses, and contact details, with no financial or transaction data compromised. Following the incident, four individuals connected to cyber-attacks on M&S and the Co-op were arrested and subsequently bailed.
Expressing deep remorse, Ms Khoury-Haq described the attack as “personal” due to its impact on her colleagues. The hackers were successfully removed from the systems, but traces of their actions remained, enabling Co-op to monitor the situation closely and provide information to authorities. Despite acknowledging the widespread availability of such data, she emphasized the concerns and worries members may have. As a cooperative operating on a membership scheme, the breach not only affected members but also customers, leaving a personal mark on Ms Khoury-Haq.
The National Crime Agency revealed the details of the individuals arrested in connection to the cyber-attacks, citing suspicions of various offenses including blackmail, money laundering, and violations of the Computer Misuse Act. Electronic devices were seized during the arrests as part of ongoing investigations. While the financial implications of the hack remain undisclosed, Co-op continues to focus on restoring back-end systems and has taken proactive steps such as partnering with a cyber-security recruitment firm. This initiative aims to channel young talent into legal careers through training and career prospects, with a pilot program planned in collaboration with Co-op Academies Trust, overseeing 38 schools in England.
Co-op, along with other retailers like Marks and Spencer and Harrods, fell victim to cyber-attacks earlier this year. Initially downplaying the impact to its call center and back office, Co-op later admitted to unauthorized access of customer and employee data. The swift action of disconnecting internet access from IT networks prevented further damage from ransomware deployment. M&S also faced data breaches, incurring significant disruptions and financial losses as it works towards system recovery. Additional reporting by Charlotte Edwards contributed to the coverage of these cyber incidents
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