Co-op Group's CEO Shirine Khoury-Haq has apologized to 6.5 million members after a cyber attack exposed their personal data, including names and addresses. The incident occurred alongside breaches at Marks & Spencer and Harrods, causing significant disruption to everyday operations. Four individuals were arrested in connection with the attacks. Khoury-Haq expressed personal distress over the breach and emphasized the need for positive action in response. Cyber security expert Jez Goldstone noted that individuals must demand stronger protections and be vigilant against scams, as compromised identities proliferate on the Dark Web.
"I am incredibly sorry," said Khoury-Haq during an appearance on BBC Breakfast. "It's awful to have happened, that's why we feel like we have to do something positive now."
Jez Goldstone, cyber security expert at innovation and business development network Label Sessions, said: "Individuals cannot rely on mere trust when dealing with large enterprises. They are vulnerable and they are not doing enough to protect your data."
"Unfortunately, these breaches only add to the mountain of already breached data - billions of identities are already traded on the Dark Web. It costs next to nothing to obtain compromised identities."
"Unfortunately, you can't put the horse back in the stable," said Goldstone, "but you can, firstly, demand stronger protections from regulators and the organisations you do business with."
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