In recent weeks, two of the UK’s most recognised retail brands—Marks & Spencer and Co-op, have found themselves in the headlines, not for a new product launch or campaign, but because of serious cyber-attacks that disrupted their operations and exposed significant vulnerabilities.

While details are still unfolding, reports suggest that both incidents involved sophisticated ransomware and data breach attempts, threats that are becoming increasingly common in today’s digital landscape. These aren’t isolated events or the result of careless IT management; they are signs of a bigger, growing threat that targets businesses across all sectors, regardless of size or stature.

What Happened?

• M&S experienced a suspected compromise of customer data tied to one of its third-party partners, leading to immediate concern about personal information being exposed or misused.
• Co-op’s software systems were hit as part of a global cyber incident, allegedly linked to a major third-party IT provider. This led to issues with their Funeralcare division and other internal systems, causing widespread disruption.

These incidents highlight a truth that many SMEs still overlook cyber threats don’t just affect big business.

Why This Matters to Every Business

If industry giants with entire departments dedicated to cybersecurity can be caught off guard, what does that say for smaller organisations that rely on limited internal IT support—or worse, no cybersecurity strategy at all?

The reality is that cyber criminals don’t discriminate. They exploit gaps in systems, processes, and awareness. That might be an out-of-date firewall, an unpatched piece of software, or a staff member who clicks the wrong email link. For SMEs, even a minor breach can lead to costly downtime, reputational damage, and loss of customer trust.

The key takeaway? Prevention is always better than cure.

Don’t Wait for a Breach to Act

Too often, businesses only take cybersecurity seriously after an incident has occurred. By then, the damage is done. At Quicksmart IT, we believe your defences should be proactive, layered, and built into the core of your IT strategy and that’s why we developed a suite of packages to suite all types of businesses.

Here’s how we help businesses stay secure:

• Advanced Threat Monitoring – We detect unusual behaviour before it becomes a breach.
• DNS Filtering – Keeping systems up-to-date and secure, without interrupting your day-to-day.
• User Awareness Training – Helping your team recognise phishing attempts and other common attack vectors.
• Endpoint Protection & Firewalls – Giving you strong, multi-device security.
• Secure Backup & Disaster Recovery – So if the worst does happen, your data isn’t lost.

Cybersecurity Isn’t Just for Big Business

Small and medium-sized companies are often seen as low-hanging fruit for cyber attackers—easier to penetrate, slower to respond, and more likely to pay ransoms or suffer lasting damage.

Don’t let your business be part of that statistic.

Whether you're a small start-up or a growing enterprise, Quicksmart IT is here to help you stay ahead of threats, stay compliant, and stay operational, no matter what comes your way.

Let’s Talk About Your Cybersecurity Strategy

If you’re unsure how well your business is protected—or if you’ve never seriously considered it—now is the time. You don’t need to be an expert. That’s what we’re here for.

📞 Talk to Quicksmart IT today – even if you’re not a customer.
We’ll help you assess your risks, put sensible safeguards in place, and give you peace of mind that your business is covered.

Quicksmart IT – Making IT Safe, Simple, and Smart.