Summary
Marks & Spencer, a major retailer, is dealing with the fallout from a large-scale cyber attack, similar to what the Harris Federation, a group of 55 schools in the London and Essex areas, experienced four years ago. In both cases, hackers seized control of computer systems and demanded a ransom to restore them.
Key Facts
- Sir Dan Moynihan of the Harris Federation experienced a cyber attack four years ago made by the Russian group, REvil.
- REvil demanded $4 million in cryptocurrency, threatening to increase the demand to $8 million if not paid within ten days.
- The hacking affected the finances of the school group, resulting in unpaid staff and bills.
- Also lost in the cyber attack were teaching materials, student records, and even critical systems like fire and phone.
- To tackle the issue, the school group hired cyber experts and a hostage negotiator to stall the hackers while they rebuilt their systems.
- Marks & Spencer, a major retailer, has also recently been a victim of a similar attack.
- It is unclear how Marks & Spencer is handling the attack as official information is minimal.
- Also attacked recently was the Co-operative, an unrelated retailer, prompting other companies to ensure their systems are up-to-date and protected.
- Cyber attacks involve the theft and potential public exposure of stolen data, as well as the locking down of an organization's computer systems.
