Co-op shuts down part of IT system after hack attempt as it issues store update

The Co-op has shut down parts of its IT system after discovering a hack attempt. The retailer is understood to have shut down systems related to its back office and its legal services.

All stores are said to be trading as normal and the "does not believe" any customer data has been compromised. Co-op deliveries are also not thought to be affected.

A letter to staff, seen by the , said the business had “pre-emptively withdrawn access to some systems” after becoming aware of the attempted hack. Co-op has more than 2,000 retail stores and also runs funeral, legal and financial services.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

A spokesperson for Co-op told the : “We have recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorised access to some of our systems. As a result, we have taken proactive steps to keep our systems safe, which has resulted in a small impact to some of our back office and call centre services.

“All our stores (including quick commerce operations) and funeral homes are trading as usual. We are working hard to reduce any disruption to our services and would like to thank our colleagues, members, partners and suppliers for their understanding during this period.

“We are not asking our members or customers to do anything differently at this point. We will continue to provide updates as necessary.”

It comes just days after Marks and Spencer saw its contactless payments and click and collect orders hit by a cyber attack. In the letter to staff, Co-op said “protecting our systems is of paramount importance” referring to “the recent issues surrounding and the cyber-attack they have experienced”.

M&S says contactless payments are now working and gift cards can be used following the incident last weekend. One shopper said: "Went to @marksandspencer did a full food shop only to be told that I can’t use contactless, had to walk away from a whole food shop."

Another said: "Just went to pay for a full basket of shopping only to be told that your contactless payments aren’t working." M&S said it is still investigating the cyber incident.

In an email to customers last week, M&S chief executive Stuart Machin said: “I’m writing to let you know that over the last few days M&S has been managing a cyber incident.

“To protect you and the business, it was necessary to temporarily make some small changes to our store operations, and I am sincerely sorry if you experienced any inconvenience.

“Importantly, our stores remain open, and our website and App are operating as normal. There is no need for you take any action at this time and if the situation changes, we will let you know.“