UK food supply chain at risk from hostile attacks
The UK National Audit Office warns cyber-attacks are a major threat to food supply chains, urging Defra to strengthen incident preparedness with industry.
A National Audit Office report names cyber-attacks among the major threats to the UK food supply chain and urges Defra to work with industry and test emergency plans with local government. The report cites 2025 attacks on retailers: Marks & Spencer estimated around £136 million ($177.2 million) in costs, and the Co-op confirmed data theft from 6.5 million members. The NAO found cyber-attacks raised operating costs and disrupted core digital systems, and Defra has run food-sector cyber incident exercises since 2023.
- M&S estimated its April 2025 cyberattack cost around £136 million ($177.2 million).
- Co-op confirmed data theft affecting 6.5 million members in last year's attack.
- NAO says Defra is less confident businesses can withstand shocks without government intervention within 5–10 years.
- Food-sector businesses report substantial investment in managing growing cyber threats.
- Vendors
- Marks & SpencerCo-op
- Organizations
- National Audit OfficeDefra
- Countries
- United Kingdom
From the original article
2 min read at theregister.comDefending against cyber foes is among factors hitting food price inflation, report finds
By Lindsay Clark · theregister.com
A short excerpt; the article and its images belong to the publisher. Summary, key facts and assessment above are AI-written from the article and can be wrong.