dailymail.co.uk
Victoria's Secret Suffers Major Cyberattack, Website Shut Down
Victoria's Secret temporarily shut down its website and some in-store services after a major cyberattack, impacting online orders and causing corporate employees to be furloughed; the company's shares dropped seven percent.
- What is the immediate impact of the cyberattack on Victoria's Secret's operations and its customers?
- Victoria's Secret, a global retailer, experienced a major cyberattack that forced the temporary shutdown of its website and some in-store services. The company is working with third-party experts to resolve the issue and restore operations. This caused corporate employees to be temporarily furloughed, raising concerns about payroll.
- What are the broader implications of this cyberattack for the retail industry and its cybersecurity practices?
- The cyberattack significantly disrupted Victoria's Secret's operations, impacting online orders, gift card processing, and other store functionalities. The incident follows similar attacks on other major retailers, highlighting a growing vulnerability within the industry to such disruptions. The temporary closure resulted in a seven percent drop in the company's share price.
- What are the potential long-term consequences of this cyberattack on Victoria's Secret's reputation and financial stability?
- The incident underscores the potential for substantial financial and operational losses due to cyberattacks targeting major retailers. The attack's long-term impact on customer trust and the company's financial performance will depend on the speed and effectiveness of the response. The incident highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures across the retail sector.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the story primarily around the impact on Victoria's Secret, emphasizing the financial consequences (stock price drop) and employee concerns about pay. While the employee concerns are valid, the emphasis on these aspects over the broader cybersecurity implications or technical details of the attack could unintentionally shape the reader's perception of the event as primarily a business disruption rather than a significant security breach.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but terms like "crippling cyber attack" and "security incident" are somewhat loaded. While descriptive, they carry a more negative connotation than neutral alternatives such as "significant cyberattack" or "data security incident." The use of the word "crippling" is particularly emotive and dramatic.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the Victoria's Secret cyberattack but only briefly mentions similar attacks on Adidas, Marks & Spencer's, and Co-op. While it acknowledges these other incidents, it lacks a comparative analysis of the scale, impact, or response to these various attacks. This omission prevents a broader understanding of the cybersecurity threats facing the retail industry.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a false dichotomy by framing the situation as either the website being fully functional or completely shut down. The reality is more nuanced, with some in-store services affected but not completely unavailable. This simplification overlooks the complexities of the situation and could mislead readers into thinking the impact is more extreme than it might be.
Gender Bias
The article includes a quote from an anonymous female employee expressing concern about pay. While this provides a valuable human perspective, there's no similar perspective offered from a male employee. The lack of balanced gender representation in this aspect might unintentionally reinforce stereotypes about women being more concerned about job security than men.
Sustainable Development Goals
The cyberattack on Victoria's Secret caused temporary store closures and disruptions, leading to lost wages for employees and potential financial losses for the company. This negatively impacts decent work and economic growth for the involved individuals and the broader economy.