UK retailers and airports face wave of cyber attacks targeting customer data

A series of cyber incidents over the last two years has struck high-profile UK businesses, from retailers like Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Harrods and Asos to fashion groups such as H&M and the Foschini Group’s TFG London brands. Airport operators Manchester Airport, London Stansted and East Midlands Airport also suffered a breach that exposed roughly 8.7 million customers’ contact information. While payment details appear untouched, attackers accessed names, emails, phone numbers and vehicle registrations, prompting firms to involve security firms and, in some cases, refuse ransom payments.

Police investigations have been launched, and experts such as Susannah Streeter caution that corporate cyber defenses are alarmingly thin. The spate highlights growing sophistication of groups like Shinyhunters, Scattered Spider and Lapsus, underscoring the need for stronger digital safeguards.