UK food supply chain at risk from hostile attacks

The UK food supply chain is facing significant risks from cyber attacks, according to a recent warning from the National Audit Office (NAO). The watchdog highlighted the potential for serious disruption, following attacks on major retailers such as Co-op and Marks & Spencer last year. While the food sector has shown resilience to cyber-attacks, the NAO reported that the government needs to work more closely with industry to mitigate their impact.

The Co-op confirmed that 6.5 million of its members' data were stolen in a cyberattack last year, and Marks & Spencer estimated the attack cost the company around £136 million ($177.2 million) in total. The NAO noted that the development of the food supply chain has prioritized efficiency, reducing costs for businesses and consumers, but this has left the supply chain more vulnerable to disruptions.

Defra, responsible for food-related matters, has undertaken exercises to test its ability to respond to cyber incidents affecting the sector since 2023. However, the government department may not be the best positioned to offer tech advice, with many of its interactions with customers still requiring paper-based forms and a significant number of its applications being out of support.