Cyber attack on M&S involved 'sophisticated impersonation'

The president of Marks & Spencer has told MPs the institution is "still successful the rebuild mode" pursuing a cyber onslaught which led to bare shelves and constricted online operations for months.

Speaking publically for the archetypal clip since the attack, Archie Norman declined to reply whether the concern had paid a ransom.

"It's a concern decision, it's a main decision," helium told members of the Business and Trade Committee.

"The question you person to inquire is - and I deliberation each businesses should inquire - is, erstwhile they look astatine the demand, what are they getting for it?

"Because erstwhile your systems are compromised and you're going to person to rebuild anyway, possibly they've got exfiltrated information that you don't privation to publish. Maybe there's thing there, but successful our case, substantially the harm had been done."

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The archetypal introduction into M&S's systems took spot connected 17 April done "sophisticated impersonation" that progressive a 3rd party, Mr Norman said.

It was days aboriginal earlier the institution became aware.

"Anybody who's suffered an lawsuit similar ours, it would beryllium foolish to accidental there's not a 1000 things you'd similar to person done differently," helium added.

In a informing to different businesses, M&S's wide counsel and institution caput Nick Folland said firms should beryllium prepared to run without IT systems.

"One of the things that we would accidental to others is marque definite you tin tally your concern connected pen and paper," helium said.

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