Cyberattacks expose weaknesses in UK retail & supply chains

The UK's retail and supply chain sectors have faced a series of high-profile cyberattacks in recent weeks, including breaches at major retailers such as Marks & Spencer (M&S), and significant incidents impacting suppliers to grocery giants such as Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury's. 

These attacks have reignited conversations regarding the resilience of cybersecurity strategies amidst escalating sophistication and frequency of threats.

Simon Pamplin, Chief Technology Officer at Certes, has called for a "fundamental rethink" in how organisations approach cyber defence. With prominent groups like Scattered Spider increasingly bypassing traditional network protections to access and exfiltrate sensitive data, Pamplin argues there must be a shift towards data-first security. 

"This can't be about blame; it needs to be about support," he stated, highlighting that security teams should be equipped with smarter tools targeting the data layer specifically.

According to Pamplin, current defensive models focus heavily on fortifying network perimeters, which leaves data itself vulnerable if intruders gain access. He explained: "Groups like Scattered Spider are highly targeted and often bypass traditional defences. What we need now is a data-first approach; one that ensures even if attackers get through, they leave with nothing they can use."

Pamplin advocates for the adoption of Data Protection Risk Mitigation (DPRM) strategies that offer quantum-safe protection at the data layer, safeguarding critical assets such as Active Directory. 

"The only way to stop data exfiltration is to make the data useless to attackers," he said. 

He further underscored the importance of collaboration, stating, "This is about standing shoulder to shoulder with security teams, helping them stay ahead of evolving threats and protecting not only the heart of their business: its data, but also the backbone of the economy; our retail sector."

Echoing these concerns, Phil Betts, technology director at Nexer Enterprise Applications, said the evolving threat landscape now includes AI-driven exploits and vulnerabilities linked to hastily deployed cloud services. 

"Cybercriminals are no longer relying solely on phishing; attacks are evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated," Betts commented. He warned that the repercussions are not limited to operational downtime, but extend to severe financial, legal, and reputational impacts.

Betts advised businesses to implement robust security basics - such as multi-factor authentication, strict role-based access controls, regular security audits, and end-to-end data encryption. He also recommended ongoing staff training to help employees recognise phishing attempts and enforce strong password protocols. Betts highlighted the necessity of keeping software systems updated and thoroughly vetted, especially before introducing new technologies or AI-powered services.

Meanwhile, a ransomware attack targeting Peter Green Chilled - a key supplier for multiple supermarket chains - has brought to light the inherent vulnerabilities in the broader supply chain. 

Gerasim Hovhannisyan, CEO of EasyDMARC, stressed the far-reaching implications of such breaches. "When critical suppliers are targeted, essential services like food distribution are put at risk," he remarked. 

Hovhannisyan noted that disruptions often result in wasted produce, financial penalties, and operational paralysis, amplifying the consequences far beyond a temporary inconvenience. 

"No one is immune. The recent wave of incidents across major retail chains and now major suppliers shows just how deeply these disruptions can impact daily life," he said.

Hovhannisyan predicted an industry-wide shift towards stronger cybersecurity postures: "We can expect to see greater investment in cybersecurity infrastructure, moving beyond passive monitoring and placing greater emphasis on resilience, as threats become more frequent, more disruptive, and harder to ignore." 

He also underlined the importance of protecting against phishing-based ransomware, a common attack vector, by enforcing policies such as DMARC to secure email communications and reduce exploitable vulnerabilities.

The consensus among cybersecurity specialists is clear: with supply chains and customer trust at stake, both technological and human factors require urgent attention. As attackers continue to adapt, the UK's business leaders face the pressing challenge of staying ahead - not simply by reinforcing old defences, but by transforming their approach to data and operational resilience.