Retailer’s Careers Page Reopens Following Suspended Hiring Period
- M&S resumes online recruitment after a cyber attack
- Three months pause in recruitment due to cyber attack
- Jobs listed on careers page again
- No store positions displayed yet
- Walk-in recruitment days held last month for store staff
- Teenage boys and 20-year-old woman arrested in connection to the cyber attacks
- Cybercrime group Scattered Spider believed to be responsible
- Online orders suspended for six weeks, costing £300m
Mark & Spencer (M&S) has restarted its online recruitment process nearly three months after it had to halt hiring due to a cyber attack in April. The company’s careers website is now displaying job openings, including roles for a senior buyer and an ecommerce dispatch stock planner, as well as four digital and tech positions. However, there are currently no store vacancies listed on the site. During the time when its online portal was down, M&S organized walk-in recruitment days to fill store staff positions. Last week, three teenagers and a 20-year-old woman were arrested in connection with the cyber attacks that also affected Co-op and Harrods. The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported the suspects’ arrests in West Midlands, London, and Staffordshire. The suspected Scattered Spider group was responsible for the hacks, which led to a six-week suspension of online orders, causing an estimated £300 million loss.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and relevant information about M&S reopening its online careers website after a cyber attack, mentions the types of jobs available, and gives an update on the ongoing investigation. However, it could provide more context on the impact of the cyber attack on the company’s overall operations and financial situation.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about M&S reopening its online careers website after a cyber attack and mentions the arrest of suspects connected to the incident. However, it could benefit from more in-depth analysis or discussion on the impact of the cyber attack on the company’s operations and future strategies.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a cyber attack that impacted M&S, a retail company, and forced it to pause recruitment. It also mentions the estimated cost of £300m due to suspended online orders. This is related to financial topics as it affects the company’s operations and potentially its revenue.
Presence Of Extreme Event: Yes
Nature Of Extreme Event: Technological Disruption
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Severe
Extreme Rating Justification: The cyber attack forced M&S to suspend online orders for six weeks, costing the business an estimated £300m and impacted their recruitment process. It also affected other businesses like Co-op and Harrods.
