Spar, a Retail Giant, Suffers Ransomware Attack by Vice Society

Spar, a leading retailer in the United Kingdom, has been hit by a ransomware attack claimed by the group Vice Society. The attack affected the company's IT systems, causing a total outage that prevented staff from processing card payments and accessing emails. As a result, many Spar stores in the north of England were forced to close temporarily or accept cash payments only.

Spar, which operates in the retail sector, is known for its personal touch and excellent service, offering a full-service, one-stop solution for servers and data centers. The company has been trusted by various brands and has received positive customer reviews, highlighting its reliability, quality products, and accountability.

The attack on Spar's infrastructure is part of a broader trend in the retail industry, where cybercriminals have targeted shared services, particularly payment processes, to cause disruption and demand ransom payments. The incident serves as a reminder that no business is immune to cyberattacks, and it's not a matter of 'if' a business will be attacked but 'when'.

Vice Society, the ransomware group responsible for the attack, has been active in recent years, claiming credit for infecting various organizations with ransomware. The group operates a data leak site, where it publishes stolen data from its victims, suggesting that neither Spar nor its distribution partner, James Hall & Co., paid the ransom.

The attack on Spar highlights the importance of robust security measures, including well-defined network architecture, strong security strategies, and the implementation of a Security Operations Centre (SOC) to monitor for attacks day and night. It also underscores the need for businesses to understand the risks associated with third-party suppliers and to ensure that they have well-defined security protocols in place.

Sources

• What Can Retailers Learn From SPAR Attack? - DigitalXRAID
• 300 Spar stores close after cyberattack - Better Retailing
• More than 300 Spar shops in north of England hit by cyberattack | Hacking - The Guardian