Cyber Attacks on M&S and Co-op: A Wake-Up Call for Every Business
Quicksmart IT • June 17, 2025

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 That might be an out-of-date firewall, an unpatched piece of software, or a staff member who clicks the wrong email link.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.

 

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The Technology Shifts Businesses Must Prepare for in 2026

By Quicksmart IT • January 30, 2026
Technology in 2026 is no longer about adding new tools, it’s about how intelligently those tools work together. Businesses are facing a year where automation, security, data and infrastructure decisions will directly affect competitiveness, compliance and long-term growth. At Quicksmart IT, we work closely with organisations across the UK to help them stay ahead of change, not chase it. These are the key technology shifts we believe will define the year ahead, and what they really mean in practice. 1. AI Is Becoming Operational, Not Experimental Artificial intelligence is moving out of the testing phase. In 2026, we’re seeing AI systems take on structured tasks such as reporting, workflow handling, analysis and internal support functions. For businesses, this isn’t about replacing people, it’s about removing bottlenecks, reducing manual workload and improving consistency across operations. The companies benefiting most are those integrating AI into their IT strategy responsibly, with security and governance built in from day one. 2. Cybersecurity Is Now Continuous, Not Reactive Cyber threats no longer arrive in neat, predictable patterns. Attacks are faster, more automated and increasingly targeted. As a result, cybersecurity is shifting toward continuous monitoring, behaviour-based detection and automated response. Waiting for alerts or relying on reactive fixes simply isn’t enough anymore. In 2026, strong cyber resilience means systems that actively watch, learn and respond, around the clock. 3. Data Quality Matters More Than Data Volume Most organisations already collect huge amounts of data. The challenge now is accuracy, structure and trust. Poor data quality leads to poor decisions, especially when AI tools depend on that data to function effectively. Businesses that invest in data governance, access control and visibility are the ones able to gain real insight rather than digital noise. 4. Supplier and Third-Party Risk Is Under the Spotlight Security no longer stops at your own network. From software providers to cloud platforms and outsourced services, third-party risk has become a major focus for regulators and insurers alike. Understanding who connects to your systems, what access they have, and how that risk is managed is now a core part of IT responsibility, not an optional extra. 5. IT Is Connecting More Directly to Operations Across sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and infrastructure, operational systems are increasingly linked to core IT networks. This convergence brings powerful benefits, real-time visibility, predictive maintenance and smarter decision-making, but also requires tighter security and stronger network design. When done properly, it turns technology into a genuine operational advantage. 6. Businesses Want More Control Over Their Technology Rather than outsourcing everything, many organisations are now using smarter systems and automation to bring knowledge back in-house. This doesn’t remove the need for IT support, it changes it. The role of a modern IT partner is to design, secure and support these systems so businesses stay in control without increasing risk or complexity. 7. Customer Experience Is Being Driven by Smarter Systems Technology in 2026 is playing a bigger role in how customers interact with businesses. From CRM platforms to communication tools, systems are becoming more responsive and more personalised, adapting to behaviour rather than following rigid processes. When implemented correctly, this improves engagement while reducing internal admin and duplication. 8. Hybrid Working Technology Has Finally Matured With traditional phone systems fully phased out, cloud communications and collaboration platforms are now central to day-to-day operations. The focus has shifted from simply enabling remote work to making it secure, seamless and consistent, whether staff are in the office, at home or on the move. What This Means for Businesses in 2026 The biggest risk this year isn’t falling behind on technology, it’s adopting it without a plan. Success in 2026 will come from: • Proactive IT strategy • Strong cybersecurity foundations • Clear governance around data and access • Technology that supports growth, not complexity At Quicksmart IT, we help organisations cut through the noise and build IT environments that are secure, scalable and ready for what’s next. If you want your technology working for your business, not constantly catching up, now is the time to plan ahead and chat with our team at Quicksmart
Christmas tree on a computer chip, surrounded by circuit board lines, against a teal background.

How to Keep Your Business Cyber-Safe Over the Christmas Break

December 10, 2025
Quicksmart talk to you about cyber security during the holidays, with practical tips and preventative measures you can use for your business.

Is Your Business Ready for Windows 10 - End of Life

By Richard Watts • September 5, 2025
The clock is ticking - what should you do? When it comes to IT, there are generally two types of people: those who love to tinker and chase the latest technology, and those who prefer a stable, predictable environment. For many years, businesses have leaned towards stability, because constant tinkering with PCs and applications quickly leads to higher costs and inefficiencies. Back in the 1990s, the annual cost of managing a single PC was estimated at over £3,000. That figure drove IT leaders to seek standardisation and smarter ways of managing their IT estates. One of the biggest steps towards keeping IT manageable has been adopting the latest versions of Microsoft Windows. When Windows 10 was released, it was positioned as the “last” major version of the operating system. But Windows 11 arrived, and with it came a ticking clock: support for Windows 10 ends on 14 October 2025. That means, in just over a year, Microsoft will stop issuing critical security patches and updates for Windows 10. Businesses still running the system will face two risky choices: Carry on with an unsupported OS, exposing the business to major security threats, or Pay for an Extended Security Update (ESU) contract, which can be costly.