Retail Cyberattacks Are a Wake-Up Call for UK Businesses
Cyberattacks on high-street retailers Marks & Spencer and Co-op have sent a clear message to UK businesses: no organisation is too large – or too established – to fall victim to cybercrime. As threats grow more complex, investing in cyber security management is now essential to protect business continuity and reputation.
At Netmatters, we provide expert cyber security management services to businesses across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the wider UK. Our services include comprehensive cyber security assessment services, advanced penetration testing, and incident response planning to help organisations stay ahead of emerging risks.
We also offer free external vulnerability testing – a valuable first step for identifying potential weaknesses in your publicly accessible systems.
M&S and Co-op Hit by Major Attacks
Over the Easter weekend, Marks & Spencer experienced a serious cyber breach that disrupted its online operations for weeks. Customer names, contact details, and order histories were exposed – causing not only financial losses but reputational damage and shaken customer trust.
Co-op faced similar disruption through a supply chain attack that brought deliveries to a standstill, leading to empty shelves and operational setbacks expected to last for weeks.
These incidents are part of a growing trend. The UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025 revealed that 43% of businesses – over 600,000 companies – reported a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months. SME’s specifically lose around £3.5 billion a year to cyber attacks. Phishing remains the most common threat, but ransomware and supply chain attacks like these are increasingly damaging.
What This Means for Your Business
Larger retailers might have the resources to recover, but for smaller organisations, a similar attack could be catastrophic. Without regular cyber security assessment services or penetration testing, many businesses won’t detect vulnerabilities until after it’s too late.
At Netmatters, we offer businesses a free external vulnerability scan. This is a security assessment performed from outside a network to identify potential weaknesses in its publicly accessible systems and services. It simulates attacks from a remote attacker, looking for vulnerabilities in things like web applications, open ports, and exposed services.
This gives you an easy, no-cost way to gain insight into your risk exposure.
Real-World Results: Theatre Royal Norwich
Netmatters recently helped Theatre Royal Norwich, one of the UK’s leading regional theatres, strengthen their cybersecurity posture after they recognised vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure.
Through a comprehensive audit and implementation of advanced security measures – including cyber security penetration testing and endpoint protection – we helped them:
- Identify and close critical security gaps
- Minimise operational risk
- Build a sustainable, long-term cyber defence strategy
This transformation gave Theatre Royal peace of mind and allowed them to focus on delivering excellent experiences without fear of cyber disruption.
It’s a clear example of how effective cyber security management can protect even the most public-facing organisations.
The Cost of Inaction Is Too High
Cybersecurity should not be treated as a one-off investment or a checkbox for compliance. It must form part of your long-term strategy for resilience. The financial and reputational cost of a breach far outweighs the cost of prevention.
Netmatters is here to help you stay secure with tailored solutions, whether you’re a retail giant or a growing SME. With locations in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, we offer local expertise backed by national experience.
Start with a free external vulnerability test – and take the first step towards securing your business.
Don’t wait to become the next headline.
Visit our Cyber Security page or contact us today to learn how Netmatters can help protect your business from the growing threat of cyberattacks.