Google warns of US retail cyber attacks and M & S insurance payout to cost £100m

Google Issues Warning to U.S. Retailers About the Growing Threat of Scattered Spider Cyberattacks

Google’s Threat Intelligence team has issued an urgent warning for U.S. retail businesses, cautioning that they could soon become targets of a highly sophisticated cybercriminal group known as Scattered Spider. This group is suspected of being behind a series of major cyberattacks in the United Kingdom, including attacks on well-known retailers such as Harrods, Co-Op, and Marks & Spencer, which saw the deployment of DragonForce ransomware.

In partnership with Mandiant, a cybersecurity company owned by Google, the tech giant has forecast that these attacks could begin as early as September of this year. With this timeline in mind, Google is urging all businesses, regardless of their size, to take proactive measures to safeguard themselves against potential cyber risks, which could result in significant disruptions and financial losses.

Scattered Spider’s Operations

Scattered Spider, also known by its alias UNC3944, is a well-organized and highly skilled group of cybercriminals that has gained notoriety for its ability to carry out large-scale ransomware campaigns. Their most recent wave of attacks, which primarily targeted major UK-based retailers, has raised concerns that they might now set their sights on U.S. retail companies, given the similarities in the modus operandi and the group’s growing capabilities.

John Hultquist, Chief Analyst at Google Threat Intelligence, confirmed that the group is likely planning to expand its operations into the U.S., targeting retail businesses. As a result, organizations in the retail sector should remain on high alert for any suspicious activity or indications of a potential cyberattack.

How Mandiant Can Help

To assist organizations in strengthening their defenses, Mandiant has made available a free guide—a playbook designed to help businesses assess and bolster their cybersecurity strategies. This playbook provides detailed, actionable recommendations for mitigating the risks associated with advanced persistent threats, such as those posed by Scattered Spider. Businesses are strongly encouraged to leverage this resource, as it could significantly improve their ability to detect and respond to cyberattacks before they can cause widespread damage.

Marks & Spencer to File £100 Million Claim Following Cyberattack

In related news, British retailer Marks & Spencer, which was recently hit by a devastating DragonForce ransomware attack linked to Scattered Spider, is now preparing to file an insurance claim estimated at £100 million to cover its recovery costs. The company has confirmed that the attack resulted in a combination of direct financial losses, order cancellations, and potential long-term damage to its brand reputation, especially in relation to the safety of customer data.

The Impact of the Attack

The cyberattack on Marks & Spencer forced the company to temporarily shut down several of its operations, resulting in significant operational disruptions. Not only did this lead to immediate financial losses, but the cancellation of orders and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the safety of customer data has likely harmed the retailer’s trust with consumers. As a result, the company is now seeking reimbursement through its insurance policy to cover the damages incurred.

However, the payout on such an insurance claim is not guaranteed, as it depends on several factors. For instance, insurance companies often assess the preparedness of a company’s IT infrastructure before offering coverage. If Marks & Spencer, for example, had not implemented sufficient cybersecurity measures to prevent such an attack, its claim might be partially or entirely denied, or only reimbursed for certain types of damages.

Understanding Cyber Insurance and Premium Risks

For companies considering cybersecurity insurance, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. First, most insurance providers assess an organization’s preparedness for cyberattacks when determining the premiums and coverage limits. These assessments often involve examining the company’s existing cybersecurity measures, its in-house talent, and its overall resilience to cyber threats.

Moreover, even if Marks & Spencer successfully receives an insurance payout, it may face higher premiums in the future, as cyber insurance providers adjust their pricing models in response to the increasing frequency and severity of cyberattacks. In fact, some insurers are starting to exclude specific types of cyber risks, like ransomware attacks and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, from their coverage policies altogether.

This trend is prompting many CIOs (Chief Information Officers) and CTOs (Chief Technology Officers) to reconsider their approach to cyber insurance. As premiums rise and coverage options shrink, organizations will need to carefully evaluate their risks and decide whether to invest in higher-level protection or adjust their coverage to account for evolving cyber threats.

A Call for Vigilance in the Retail Sector

The growing threat from groups like Scattered Spider highlights the importance of cybersecurity across all industries, but particularly in retail, where customer data and financial transactions are prime targets for cybercriminals. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated and more frequent, it is essential for organizations to invest in both proactive and reactive measures to protect their systems and data.

For now, retailers must take action to bolster their defenses and ensure they have adequate insurance coverage to mitigate the financial impact of potential breaches. As Google and Mandiant have emphasized, staying ahead of the curve is crucial—especially with the knowledge that the next wave of attacks could be just around the corner.

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