Marks & Spencer (M&S) has ended its IT service desk contract with Indian tech giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), following a major cyber attack earlier this year. However, both companies have clarified that the decision to end the contract was not related to the cyber incident.
TCS had been working with M&S for over a decade, managing several of the retailer’s technology and IT operations. The cyber attack in April forced M&S to temporarily suspend online orders and caused significant business disruption. Reports suggest the attack could reduce the company’s operating profits by nearly £300 million this year.
After the incident, M&S and TCS launched internal investigations. By June, TCS confirmed that it was not the source of the breach. M&S also told UK lawmakers that the attack was carried out through “sophisticated impersonation” involving a third party.
The contract with TCS officially ended in July. According to M&S, the decision came after a regular review process that began in January -months before the cyber attack. “We tested for the most suitable product available and selected a new provider this summer. This change has no impact on our broader relationship with TCS,” the retailer said in a statement.
TCS also denied media claims that it lost a $1 billion deal with M&S due to the cyber attack, calling such reports “misleading.” The company explained that the contract in question was a small part of its overall partnership with M&S. TCS continues to provide several other technology services to the British retailer.
Reaffirming its position, TCS said, “There were no signs of compromise within the TCS network in any of the incidents.” The company emphasized that its partnership with M&S remains strong and ongoing.
The cyber attack has once again highlighted how data security remains a top concern for global companies. Both M&S and TCS are now working to ensure tighter safeguards against future breaches.
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