Co-op cyber attack leaves island shop shelves empty

Some Co-op stores across Scotland’s islands have been running low on fresh food supplies following a cyber attack on the company.

Co-op is the main retailer in Skye and pictures from its supermarket in Portree show row upon row of empty shelves.

The disruption comes after the company told the BBC on Friday the attack on its systems had resulted in “significant” amounts of customer data being stolen.

A Co-op spokesperson said deliveries to its stores were also impacted by the “sustained malicious attempts by hackers to access our systems”, and staff were working around the clock to reduce disruption.

On Monday, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned that criminals launching cyber attacks at British retailers were impersonating IT help desks to break into organisations.

Hackers have targeted Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods in the last two weeks, and on Friday the anonymous group told the BBC there will be more attacks soon.

NCSC, the government agency responsible for cyber security, has issued guidance to organisations urging them to review their IT helpdesk “password reset processes” to reduce their chances of getting hacked.