Co-op forced to close IT systems over hack attempt

Another major supermarket has been forced to fend off a cyberattack just days after M&S was left with empty shelves following a devastating hack.

- ALEXANDER BUTLER

Co-op, which has over 7,000 stores across the UK, shut down parts of its IT system after hackers tried to gain “unauthorised access” to its network earlier this week.

It comes after Scotland Yard was called in to investigate a cyberattack that left Marks & Spencer unable to fulfil contactless payments and click-and-collect orders, leaving it with empty shelves and a slashed market value.

M&S is also working with experts from both the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre to “better understand the incident and support the company”.