**Marks & Spencer Suspends Recruitment Following Major Cyber Attack**
Marks & Spencer (M&S), one of the UK’s best-known retailers, has announced an immediate halt to the hiring of new staff as it continues to grapple with the aftermath of a crippling cyber attack. The company confirmed on Thursday that it had pulled all its job advertisements from its website, as technical teams work urgently to restore normal operations.
Visitors to the M&S recruitment webpage are currently greeted by a message acknowledging the disruption. “Sorry you can’t search or apply for roles right now, we’re working hard to be back online as soon as possible,” the notice reads. This unexpected pause in recruitment comes as a striking reminder of the far-reaching consequences cyber attacks can have on business operations beyond the immediate IT infrastructure.
Only last week, M&S reportedly had more than 200 job vacancies listed across its UK business, which has a workforce of approximately 65,000 staff at head office and in stores nationwide. As of Thursday, there were no available jobs being advertised. The freeze on new appointments underscores the severity of the ongoing disruption and highlights how essential IT systems have become to the company’s day-to-day running.
The onset of difficulties can be traced back more than a week, when M&S’s IT platforms fell victim to a significant ransomware attack. First issues were reported over the Easter weekend, which forced the retailer to suspend click-and-collect services, halt online orders, and take some of its systems offline as a precautionary measure. Customers observed further inconvenience when contactless payments in stores were impacted, though this service has since been restored.
Despite some progress, the retailer is still unable to process online orders, and reports have indicated that availability of certain products in stores has been restricted. M&S has yet to confirm when customers and potential employees can expect full service to resume.
The Metropolitan Police are leading an active investigation into the incident. While M&S works to recover, security experts warn that the retail sector is increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyber criminals seeking to disrupt operations or extort large organisations.
In a separate but related development, another major British retailer, The Co-op, was compelled to temporarily shut down parts of its IT infrastructure this week following an attempted cyber intrusion. Some of The Co-op’s internal systems and call centre functions were affected, although all stores remained open. In response, staff were instructed to keep cameras on during remote meetings and to verify colleagues’ identities—a measure aimed at reducing the risk of internal breaches.
Cyber security incidents like those experienced by M&S and The Co-op highlight the vulnerability of the retail sector to digital threats. In an increasingly online business environment, the ability to operate safely and securely is more crucial than ever. The episodes also serve as a stark reminder for organisations to regularly review and upgrade their cyber defences.
For now, M&S customers and jobseekers must wait as the retailer’s technical experts work to resolve the situation. The incident has shone a light on the importance of cyber resilience for institutions of all sizes, especially those as prominent as Marks & Spencer. It remains to be seen how long the disruption will continue, but for many, it will serve as an important lesson in the need for robust digital defences in the face of evolving cyber threats.
As the investigation continues, and with the future timeline for recovery still unclear, M&S has assured the public that updates will be provided as soon as they become available. Staff and customers alike will be anticipating a swift resolution so the retailer can resume normal operations, including welcoming new members to its workforce.