'Human error' to blame for costly cyber breach

Marks & Spencer has said a damaging cyber attack caused by “human error” will cost the company around £300 million.

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The high street retail giant said disruption to online shopping could continue into July but it hopes to have this partly restored “within weeks”.

M&S halted orders on its website and saw empty shelves after being targeted by hackers around the Easter weekend.

Customer personal data, which could have included names, email addresses, postal addresses and dates of birth, was also taken by hackers in the attack.

Chief executive Stuart Machin told reporters that hackers gained access to the company’s IT systems through a third party after “human error”.

The boss said he has been in touch with other industry bosses to discuss hacks, with rivals the Co-op and Harrods also targeted with cyber attacks in recent weeks.

He added: “We didn’t leave the door open, this wasn’t anything to do with under-investment.

“Everyone is vulnerable. For us, we were unlucky on this particular day through some human error.”