Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
– London Drugs has closed all its stores due to a cybersecurity incident
– They are working with third-party experts to investigate the breach and restore operations
– The incident has impacted more than 80 stores in Western Canada
In response to a cybersecurity incident, Canadian pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs has temporarily closed all its stores across Western Canada. Initially described as an “operational issue,” the company later confirmed it was a cybersecurity incident. While London Drugs stated that it had no reason to believe customer or employee data was impacted, they are now investigating the extent of the breach and will notify individuals if their personal information was compromised. As the company works with cybersecurity experts to restore operations, more than 80 stores remain closed indefinitely.
The healthcare sector, including pharmaceutical services, faces unique risks from cyberattacks. London Drugs, having both healthcare and retail operations, has become a target. Healthcare was the third-most targeted sector for cyberattacks in North America in 2023, with the average cost of healthcare data breaches increasing significantly. In addition, retail companies are common targets for cybercriminals, with the average cost of a retail data breach also rising.
The incident at London Drugs highlights the growing threat of cyberattacks in both the healthcare and retail sectors, emphasizing the importance of strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and maintain business operations.
