Latest news with #TheHackingGames
Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Times
Co-op partners with Hacking Games to promote ethical careers after cyberattack
The Co-op has announced a partnership with a social impact business aimed at tackling cybercrime by steering young people toward ethical careers in cybersecurity. In the wake of the ransomware attack it suffered this year, the retailer has teamed up with The Hacking Games, an organisation that promotes cybersecurity careers through immersive simulations, which replicate real-world ethical hacking environments. The Co-op said the 'cyber threat landscape is evolving at an alarming rate'. It is expected to cost £12 trillion globally this year. The partnership will initially be tried out within the Co-op Academies Trust, which supports 20,000 students across 38 schools. Figures cited by the retailer showed that 69 per cent of European teenagers have committed some form of cyber crime or online offence, highlighting the need for 'channelling these skills into positive, ethical careers'. Already valued at £13.2 billion, the government has identified cybersecurity as a key frontier industry with an exceptional potential for growth. Yet tens of thousands of cybersecurity jobs in the UK remain vacant. Fergus Hay, chief executive of The Hacking Games, said: 'There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there — but many young people don't see a path into the industry, or simply don't realise their skills can be used for good.' Co-op was one of the three retailers, including Marks & Spencer and Harrods, hit by a co-ordinated ransomware attack earlier this year. The Cyber Monitoring Centre, an independent watchdog for major cyber events, has estimated that the total financial impact of the cyberattacks on both M&S and Co-op is somewhere in the range of £270 million to £440 million, including legal and IT costs. Co-op had to keep some of its systems offline, which affected the ability to place orders, leaving shelves empty throughout May. Shirine Khoury-Haq, the chief executive of Co-op, said: 'We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cyber crime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve.' Khoury-Haq told BBC Breakfast on Wednesday that all 6.5 million of its members had their data stolen in the cyberattack in April. While there was no financial or transaction data leaked, information on names and addresses was taken, for which she said she was 'incredibly sorry'.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Data stolen from 6.5 million Co-op members in ‘devastating' cyber attack
The chief executive of the retail and funeral care group Shirine Khoury-Haq said she was 'devastated' by the impact of the attack on workers and members. In late April, the company shut off parts of its IT systems after the attack, in which hackers accessed and extracted members' personal data. Shoppers were faced with empty shelves and issues with payments shortly afterwards caused by the fallout of the incident. It was among a string of high-profile cyber attacks on retailers, with rival Marks & Spencer hit particularly heavily by a cyber incident around Easter, which it said would result in a roughly £300 million hit to its finances. On Tuesday, the Co-op boss confirmed to BBC Breakfast that 'names, addresses and contact information' for all of its members were accessed. Ms Khoury-Haq told the programme: 'We know that a lot of that information is out there anyway but people will be worried and all members should be concerned. 'As soon as we knew what had been taken, we informed our members. We also advised them on what they needed to do to protect their information as well. 'But I am devastated by that, I am devastated that the information was taken.' She said the hackers created a copy of one of the firm's files but were unable to attack its platforms further and install planned ransomware. 'We realised it was happening when the cyber criminals started moving around within our systems and that is when we took action to stop them,' the boss said. 'Unfortunately by the time we had done that, they had made a copy of one of our files, but we did block them from doing anything else. 'It meant shutting down our systems quite dramatically. 'The good news was that we managed to keep our front lines open – our stores and funeral homes stayed open but the impact on colleagues, the impact on our stores, our members, was significant.' Last week, the National Crime Agency said four young people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the cyber attacks against the Co-op, M&S and Harrods. The comments came as the Co-op announced a partnership with a social impact business in the wake of the attack. The link-up with The Hacking Games is aimed at preventing cybercrime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills into positive, ethical careers. The Co-op said cyber threats were evolving at an 'alarming' rate, highlighting the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The retail giant said it wants to help prevent cyber crime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use. Ms Khoury-Haq added: 'We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cybercrime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve. 'Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work. When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.' Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, said: 'There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there – but many young people don't see a path into the industry, or simply don't realise their skills can be used for good. 'This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential. It's about giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Data stolen from 6.5 million Co-op members in ‘devastating' cyber attack
All 6.5 million members of the Co-op had their data stolen in the cyber attack against the UK retailer earlier this year, the retailer has revealed. The chief executive of the retail and funeral care group Shirine Khoury-Haq said she was 'devastated' by the impact of the attack on workers and members. In late April, the company shut off parts of its IT systems after the attack, in which hackers accessed and extracted members' personal data. Shoppers were faced with empty shelves and issues with payments shortly afterwards caused by the fallout of the incident. It was among a string of high-profile cyber attacks on retailers, with rival Marks & Spencer hit particularly heavily by a cyber incident around Easter, which it said would result in a roughly £300 million hit to its finances. On Tuesday, the Co-op boss confirmed to BBC Breakfast that 'names, addresses and contact information' for all of its members were accessed. Ms Khoury-Haq told the programme: 'We know that a lot of that information is out there anyway but people will be worried and all members should be concerned. 'As soon as we knew what had been taken, we informed our members. We also advised them on what they needed to do to protect their information as well. 'But I am devastated by that, I am devastated that the information was taken.' She said the hackers created a copy of one of the firm's files but were unable to attack its platforms further and install planned ransomware. 'We realised it was happening when the cyber criminals started moving around within our systems and that is when we took action to stop them,' the boss said. 'Unfortunately by the time we had done that, they had made a copy of one of our files, but we did block them from doing anything else. 'It meant shutting down our systems quite dramatically. 'The good news was that we managed to keep our front lines open – our stores and funeral homes stayed open but the impact on colleagues, the impact on our stores, our members, was significant.' Last week, the National Crime Agency said four young people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the cyber attacks against the Co-op, M&S and Harrods. The comments came as the Co-op announced a partnership with a social impact business in the wake of the attack. The link-up with The Hacking Games is aimed at preventing cybercrime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills into positive, ethical careers. The Co-op said cyber threats were evolving at an 'alarming' rate, highlighting the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The retail giant said it wants to help prevent cyber crime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use. Ms Khoury-Haq added: 'We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cybercrime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve. 'Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work. When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.' Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, said: 'There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there – but many young people don't see a path into the industry, or simply don't realise their skills can be used for good. 'This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential. It's about giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Data stolen from 6.5 million Co-op members in ‘devastating' cyber attack
The chief executive of the retail and funeral care group Shirine Khoury-Haq said she was 'devastated' by the impact of the attack on workers and members. In late April, the company shut off parts of its IT systems after the attack, in which hackers accessed and extracted members' personal data. Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op (Co-op/PA) Shoppers were faced with empty shelves and issues with payments shortly afterwards caused by the fallout of the incident. It was among a string of high-profile cyber attacks on retailers, with rival Marks & Spencer hit particularly heavily by a cyber incident around Easter, which it said would result in a roughly £300 million hit to its finances. On Tuesday, the Co-op boss confirmed to BBC Breakfast that 'names, addresses and contact information' for all of its members were accessed. Ms Khoury-Haq told the programme: 'We know that a lot of that information is out there anyway but people will be worried and all members should be concerned. 'As soon as we knew what had been taken, we informed our members. We also advised them on what they needed to do to protect their information as well. 'But I am devastated by that, I am devastated that the information was taken.' She said the hackers created a copy of one of the firm's files but were unable to attack its platforms further and install planned ransomware. 'We realised it was happening when the cyber criminals started moving around within our systems and that is when we took action to stop them,' the boss said. 'Unfortunately by the time we had done that, they had made a copy of one of our files, but we did block them from doing anything else. 'It meant shutting down our systems quite dramatically. 'The good news was that we managed to keep our front lines open – our stores and funeral homes stayed open but the impact on colleagues, the impact on our stores, our members, was significant.' Last week, the National Crime Agency said four young people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the cyber attacks against the Co-op, M&S and Harrods. The comments came as the Co-op announced a partnership with a social impact business in the wake of the attack. The link-up with The Hacking Games is aimed at preventing cybercrime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills into positive, ethical careers. The Co-op said cyber threats were evolving at an 'alarming' rate, highlighting the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The retail giant said it wants to help prevent cyber crime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use. Ms Khoury-Haq added: 'We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cybercrime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve. 'Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work. When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.' Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, said: 'There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there – but many young people don't see a path into the industry, or simply don't realise their skills can be used for good. 'This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential. It's about giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.'
Western Telegraph
3 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Data stolen from 6.5 million Co-op members in ‘devastating' cyber attack
The chief executive of the retail and funeral care group Shirine Khoury-Haq said she was 'devastated' by the impact of the attack on workers and members. In late April, the company shut off parts of its IT systems after the attack, in which hackers accessed and extracted members' personal data. Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive of Co-op (Co-op/PA) Shoppers were faced with empty shelves and issues with payments shortly afterwards caused by the fallout of the incident. It was among a string of high-profile cyber attacks on retailers, with rival Marks & Spencer hit particularly heavily by a cyber incident around Easter, which it said would result in a roughly £300 million hit to its finances. On Tuesday, the Co-op boss confirmed to BBC Breakfast that 'names, addresses and contact information' for all of its members were accessed. Ms Khoury-Haq told the programme: 'We know that a lot of that information is out there anyway but people will be worried and all members should be concerned. 'As soon as we knew what had been taken, we informed our members. We also advised them on what they needed to do to protect their information as well. 'But I am devastated by that, I am devastated that the information was taken.' She said the hackers created a copy of one of the firm's files but were unable to attack its platforms further and install planned ransomware. 'We realised it was happening when the cyber criminals started moving around within our systems and that is when we took action to stop them,' the boss said. 'Unfortunately by the time we had done that, they had made a copy of one of our files, but we did block them from doing anything else. 'It meant shutting down our systems quite dramatically. 'The good news was that we managed to keep our front lines open – our stores and funeral homes stayed open but the impact on colleagues, the impact on our stores, our members, was significant.' Last week, the National Crime Agency said four young people were arrested for their suspected involvement in the cyber attacks against the Co-op, M&S and Harrods. The comments came as the Co-op announced a partnership with a social impact business in the wake of the attack. The link-up with The Hacking Games is aimed at preventing cybercrime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills into positive, ethical careers. The Co-op said cyber threats were evolving at an 'alarming' rate, highlighting the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals. The retail giant said it wants to help prevent cyber crime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use. Ms Khoury-Haq added: 'We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cybercrime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve. 'Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work. When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.' Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, said: 'There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there – but many young people don't see a path into the industry, or simply don't realise their skills can be used for good. 'This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential. It's about giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.'
