In April 2025, Marks & Spencer (M&S) suffered a major cyberattack, crippling operations, halting online orders, and reportedly costing the retailer over £300 million. The breach was traced back to a third-party contractor and executed using advanced social engineering techniques. It’s a textbook example of how even large corporations can be vulnerable without the right cyber protections in place.
What Happened?
Attackers posing as staff successfully gained access to sensitive systems via a third-party IT contractor, exploiting weak verification processes. This breach compromised customer names, addresses, and contact details—though, thankfully, payment data remained secure. Online orders were disrupted, stock levels fell behind, and in-store systems temporarily reverted to manual processes.
The Financial Fallout
The disruption led to significant financial losses, reputational damage, and shaken consumer confidence. Full recovery is expected to take months, with operating profit losses estimated at around £300 million.
Could It Have Been Prevented?
Absolutely. And that’s where Look Creative comes in.
Our Look Shield AI cybersecurity suite—available in both our Standard and Pro IT Support packages—provides a multi-layered defence that could have made all the difference:
- Web Content Filtering: Actively blocks access to suspicious websites, stopping threats before they’re clicked.
- EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response): Monitors all devices in real-time for abnormal behaviour, such as impersonation or data exfiltration attempts.
- AI Threat Detection: Uses artificial intelligence to recognise patterns and spot unusual activity, like someone pretending to be staff.
- Device & Access Control: Helps prevent unauthorised access—even from third parties—by enforcing strict permission rules and multi-factor authentication.
- Staff Awareness Support: We help our clients stay educated on phishing, social engineering, and other forms of attack.
Had a system like Look Creative’s been in place, this breach could very likely have been spotted and stopped before any damage occurred.
Why Look Creative?
We don’t just install antivirus software and call it a day. At Look Creative, we believe in full-spectrum cybersecurity, backed by real-time monitoring, prevention-first tools, and human-friendly support. Whether you’re a small business or a growing enterprise, we’ve got your back.
Because when things go wrong, you don’t want to be left saying:
“I didn’t think it would happen to us.”
Protect your business before it’s too late.
Call 01454 308330 or visit lookcreative.uk today.