Wednesday, 5th November 2025
Half of Marks and Spencer's profit gone just like that…
Cyber Attacks are very real and can happen to any business (small, medium, large) if unprepared, especially in this new age of technology where personal data is just at arms reach for cyber criminals.
❗In late April, M&S suffered a severe cyber attack, leading to a 99% drop in profit from £391.9m to £3.4m for the first half of the year, compared with the year prior. The breach forced a six-week online sales halt, crippling e-commerce and logistics. Critically, customer personal data including names, addresses, and dates of birth was exfiltrated by hackers.
This incident highlights the profound operational and financial risks of data breaches beyond immediate recovery costs. Which is why it is crucial to be aware and prepared for any sudden data breaches.
⁉️ Takeaways
⭕ Financial Impact is Severe: Cyber attacks directly impact profits through lost sales, recovery expenses, and insurance complexities.
⭕ Operational Halts are a Real Threat: A breach can cripple core business functions, like e-commerce and supply chains, for extended periods.
⭕ Data Theft will occur: Attacks often lead to the compromise of sensitive customer PII, eroding trust and creating compliance liabilities.
⭕ Resilience is Foundational: Robust financial and operational foundations are critical for weathering the significant fallout of a data breach.
