Right now, Marks & Spencer (M&S) is dealing with a major cyberattack. Hackers have accessed private employee information, like salaries and contact details, through one of M&S’s payroll suppliers. It’s a clear warning to all businesses, cybercrime can hit anyone, at any time.
These attacks don’t just affect IT systems. They damage a company’s reputation, break customer trust, and can lead to big financial and legal problems. With hackers becoming more advanced, using just passwords to protect your systems is no longer enough. Businesses need to take a fresh look at how they protect their data, especially when it comes to who can access what.
What Happens When a Cyberattack Hits
Cyberattacks cause problems quickly and across many areas:
- Private data can be stolen, putting employees or customers at risk.
- Systems may go down, disrupting payroll, customer service, and daily operations.
- Public trust can drop fast, especially if the news hits the media.
- Costs can pile up, from fines and legal fees to fixing the damage.
In this M&S case, the problem started with a third-party provider—which shows how important it is to check the security of all partners, not just your own systems.
How MFA and Passwordless Security Help
To stay safe, organisations need stronger ways to control who gets access to systems and data. That’s where Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and passwordless security come in.
MFA means users need more than just a password to log in. They might also need their phone or a fingerprint. This extra step makes it much harder for hackers to break in, even if they steal someone’s password.
Passwordless security goes even further. It removes passwords completely, using things like biometrics (face or fingerprint), mobile apps, or security keys instead. This makes phishing attacks (where users are tricked into giving up passwords) much less likely. It also means fewer password resets, which makes life easier for IT teams and staff.
Working with DTE and RSA
At DTE, we help organisations stay ahead of cyber threats by setting up modern, secure login systems. We’re a Gold Standard RSA Partner, and we specialise in rolling out trusted MFA and passwordless solutions that protect businesses from identity-based attacks, like the one hitting M&S right now.
We work with your IT team to build a secure, easy-to-use setup that fits your needs.
Don’t wait to become the next target. Contact DTE today to book your free consultation and discover how RSA’s identity security solutions can protect your business.
