In a communication to its customers, M&S confirmed that while there may have been access to personal information, no payment details or login credentials were exposed during the breach. The company, which generated over £13 billion in revenue last year, has notified law enforcement and government officials about the incident.

This breach follows a trend of increasing cyberattacks on retailers in Britain, including recent disruptions at Harrods and Co-op. The rise in ransomware attacks targeting various sectors, including healthcare, highlights vulnerabilities across organizations.

The National Cyber Security Center is actively collaborating with the affected companies to investigate the breaches and implement measures to bolster security. Richard Horne, the agency's chief executive, emphasized the necessity for organizations to strengthen defenses against such threats.

As investigations continue, the identity of the attackers remains unconfirmed, and the connection between the various incidents is still unclear. The situation serves as a critical reminder for businesses to take proactive steps to safeguard sensitive data.

Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times covering breaking news and other topics.