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From conducting regular security audits to training employees on cyber hygiene, Wirpo’s Hitesh Bansal reveals how retailers can improve their security culture to gain competitive advantage
It’s no secret that the UK’s retail sector has faced a surge in cyber attacks, disrupting major players like Co-op, Harrods, Marks & Spencer and, more recently, Chanel and Pandora. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stronger cyber security across the industry.
This rise in threats is compounded by two main aspects:
- A lack of cyber security awareness amongst employees and ecosystem partners
- A cyber security skills gap within the cyber security workforce
According to The Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Home Office, “staff training and awareness raising on cyber security were more prevalent in large businesses (76% compared to 19% for businesses overall)”, implying that there is a significant lack of cyber security awareness amongst mid-sized and smaller businesses.
Cyber security risk is further heightened by the cyber security skills gap. According to the ISC2’s 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Study 60% of respondents agree that skills gaps have significantly impacted their ability to secure their organisation, with 58% stating it puts their organisations at significant risk. This leaves businesses more vulnerable to attacks.
In addition to this, the rapid adoption of AI introduces new risks. Businesses must implement clear AI policies and oversight to prevent misuse and data breaches. Regulations such as NIS2 and DORA are tightening requirements for incident reporting and third-party risk management. Cross-border collaboration is essential to ensure compliance and close regulatory gaps.
Practical steps for retailers
To strengthen defences and build resilience, retailers should:
- Conduct regular security audits to identify vulnerabilities
- Implement multi-factor authentication across systems
- Train employees on cyber hygiene and phishing awareness
- Encrypt sensitive customer and payment data
- Segment networks to limit lateral movement during breaches
- Establish and test incident response plans
- Vet and monitor third-party vendors for security compliance
- Keep software and systems updated to patch known exploits
These foundational steps will help reduce risk and prepare retailers for evolving threats.
Future cyber security trends
Looking ahead, UK retailers must prepare for:
- AI-driven threat detection and Zero Trust frameworks should now be top priority
- GenAI-powered Security Operations Centres (SOCs) improve response times but raise data privacy concerns
- Deepfake threats, prompting stronger board-level oversight
- Expanded attack surfaces from Cloud and API adoption, requiring multi-cloud resilience
- Automation and cyber transformation to address persistent talent shortages
- Platform consolidation and hyper automation, enabling scalable, cost-effective security
Cyber security is no longer optional – it’s a strategic imperative. Retailers that invest in governance, innovation and talent will be best positioned to protect customer trust and ensure operational continuity.
Strategic imperatives for leadership
Retail leaders must now view cyber security not just as a technical issue, but as a core business priority. Board-level engagement is essential to drive cultural change, allocate resources effectively, and embed security into every layer of the organisation. This includes appointing cyber security champions at the executive level, integrating cyber risk into enterprise risk management frameworks, and ensuring cyber security KPIs are tracked alongside financial and operational metrics.
Moreover, collaboration across the sector through industry forums, threat intelligence sharing and public-private partnerships can help retailers stay ahead of emerging threats. By fostering a proactive, transparent and resilient security culture, UK retailers can not only mitigate risk but also build long-term competitive advantage in a digital-first economy.
For more information on how Wipro can help, please visit us at: https://www.wipro.com/cybersecurity/
Hitesh Bansal is country head (UK & Ireland) cybersecurity & risk services at Wipro Limtied.
