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When Giants Fall: What Harrods, Co-op, and M&S Teach Us About Cyber Security

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In recent months, some of the UK’s most iconic names—Harrods, the Co-op, and Marks & Spencer—have all made headlines. But not for the reasons they’d like. Each has fallen victim to significant cyber incidents, affecting everything from staff payroll to customer data security.

Monday, 16th June, 2025

HomeWhen Giants Fall: What Harrods, Co-op, and M&S Teach Us About Cyber Security
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These aren’t your average high-street hacks. We’re talking about companies with multimillion-pound IT budgets and teams of specialists. If they can be brought down by a cyberattack… what chance does your small business have?

The Harsh Truth

For too long, cyber security has felt like a luxury reserved for big business. High costs, complex systems, and a lack of affordable expertise meant smaller businesses and startups were left to fend for themselves—or worse, ignore the problem entirely.

But here’s the thing: hackers know this. And while massive organisations offer big headlines, small businesses are the low-hanging fruit—often with fewer defences and more to lose.

Think about it. A single ransomware attack can grind your business to a halt. A compromised email system can see sensitive client data leaked. And a hacked website? That can trash your reputation faster than a one-star review.

So… What Can You Do?

We get it. Cyber security has always sounded a bit too techy, a bit too expensive, and a bit too far down the to-do list for most small businesses.

But no longer.

We’re thrilled to announce a brand new partnership with JC Cyber Security—a UK-based cyber security powerhouse. These are the real deal: specialists in penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, Cyber Essentials certification, and ongoing managed security services.

JC Security Logo

Together, we’ve created an offering specifically for small businesses and SMEs. No jargon. No enterprise-sized invoices. Just real, high-quality cyber protection designed for businesses like yours.

What’s Included?

Our tailored service includes:

  • Penetration Testing – Ethical hacking to find your weaknesses before the real hackers do.

  • Vulnerability Scanning – Automated tools to detect and flag risky security holes.

  • Cyber Essentials Certification – A UK government-backed scheme that shows you take security seriously.

  • Ongoing Support – Because staying safe is a process, not a one-off.

Peace of Mind, Finally Within Reach

Whether you’re a one-person show or a growing team of 50, cyber security is now something you can afford and understand. And let’s be honest—it’s not optional anymore.

You insure your premises, your stock, your car. Why not your data and digital infrastructure?

Because if Harrods can fall, anyone can.


🔒 Learn more about how we’re helping small businesses fight back against cyber threats here:

👉 https://hipposerve.com/pro-tools/bespoke_cyber_security

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With over two decades of experience under our belts, each of us at Hipposerve brings a rich blend of expertise, whether it’s in technical know-how, stellar support, or savvy sales. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in hosting services, and that’s exactly why customer happiness tops our list. We started Hipposerve with a simple goal: to make hosting hassle-free so you can focus on promoting your business or brand.

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Just a quick note for our readers: The articles you find in our blog are a collection from Hipposerve’s past. Keep in mind that some of these posts might talk about products we no longer offer, or mention old prices and deals that have since changed. For the most up-to-date information on what’s available, including current prices and offers, please check out our main website pages. Oh, and just so you know, we can’t honour any prices or offers mentioned in our older blog posts. Thanks for reading!

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