London’s iconic department store Harrods announced on Thursday it has been the target of a cyberattack, following similar incidents involving Marks & Spencer and the Co-op.
A Harrods spokesperson said they had recently faced “attempts at unauthorised access to some of our systems.”
The spokesperson added that their IT security teams immediately took "proactive measures" to ensure the security of the systems, which led to restricted Internet access on Thursday.
Besides its flagship store in central London, Harrods operates outlets in airports and beauty boutiques in several cities. All locations “remain open” to customers, and the website is not affected, according to Harrods.
Harrods is the third major retailer to be targeted by a cyberattack in recent days, although it remains unclear whether the attacks are connected.
Marks & Spencer confirmed that it has suffered a ransomware attack, disrupting its operations since Easter. The retailer had to halt online sales, in-store contactless payments, and recruitment activities.
Some stores even experienced product shortages on shelves.
Marks & Spencer reported on Thursday that their technical teams, “supported by cyber experts, are working extremely hard to restore online sales and our app.”
The police have opened an investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the Co-op supermarket chain also reported on Thursday that it faced “attempts at unauthorised access” to some of its systems.
The protective measures introduced caused disruptions at call centres and support services.
