Cyber security toolkit for retail sector launched

British retailers are set to be armed with a new toolkit to help them manage the risk of cyber attacks and better-respond to them.

The British Retail Consortium, the trade body that represents the UK’s retail industry, says its Cyber Security Toolkit will help retailers “of all sizes” prevent and manage online threats and protect their customers’ data.

The publication of the toolkit comes as more and more shopping is done online. One in every four pounds is now spent online. Web sales are growing by around 10 to 15 per cent each year and 53 per cent of retail fraud takes place through the internet.

“The same period has seen the parallel rise of ever more elaborate forms of cyber-related crimes against both retail businesses and online shoppers,” the BRC said, citing doxing, whaling and spoofing as among the more sophisticated threats.

The toolkit was launched in London this week by the BRC and Home Office minister Sarah Newton MP. It will help retailers:

Establish cyber security as a board-level issue
Share information safely
Complete a cyber security risk assessment
Create an incident response plan
Prepare for, respond to, recover from and review attacks

Hugo Rosemont, policy adviser on crime and security at the BRC, said: “The BRC Cyber Security Toolkit is designed to equip British retailers with the know-how, guidance and practical support that will help the industry stay ahead of the ever-evolving threats posed by cyber-related criminality.

“All parts of the retail industry have a large and growing stake in keeping customers safe and secure, and the industry is committed to ensuring the strongest possible measures are in place - all the way through from prevention to incident response.”