Cyber resilience now “top priority” for UK food retailers

The meeting was part of ongoing engagement between the retail industry and cyber security agencies. As the industry becomes increasingly digitised and automated, retailers now face a higher risk from cyber attacks, which have become increasingly sophisticated.

Strong cyber defences are particularly critical for food retailers to ensure the nation’s food security. Retailers remain well-armed for potential attacks, spending hundreds of millions of pounds every year to mitigate risk and be prepared if they are attacked. Further, they continually review and update their cutting-edge protections and remain in close contact with cyber agencies to share intelligence.

The National Cyber Security Centre has made tools and resources available to support all businesses. The Governance Code of Practice sets out the most critical governance actions for directors, while more and more businesses are adopting the Government-backed certification scheme Cyber Essentials.

For its part, the British Retail Consortium also convenes a series of ongoing engagement between retailers and the National Cyber Security Centre.

Supply chains 

Helen Dickinson OBE, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Cyber attacks are a very real risk for all businesses, notably so those in an industry as digitally connected as retail. No business can be 100% safe and we would encourage every retailer to promote Cyber Essentials within their supply chains and revisit their own protections and plans.”

Dickinson added: “The meeting was another opportunity for food retailers to reaffirm their commitment to working together to counter the risks an attack could pose and ensure they’re on the front foot. They’re in regular contact with cyber agencies, actively sharing intelligence and investing huge sums of money every year on both protections and preparedness.”

Richard Horne observed: “In the modern world, cyber resilience is business resilience. I was pleased to welcome senior leaders from UK food retailers at the NCSC’s headquarters to discuss how the sector can effectively manage the online threats now being confronted.”Horne continued: “In a sector with many digital dependencies across complex supply chains and large estates, leaders being proactive in understanding cyber risk, sharing Best Practice and taking action to raise defences is exactly what’s required to remain secure.”

In conclusion, Horne noted: “We look forward to working further with the sector to support its security efforts and encourage continued uptake of our free advice and guidance, including our cyber governance resources, such that they can protect themselves online.”