Cyberattack Disrupts Supply Chain at Co-op Stores

Shoppers in Saskatoon and the surrounding area who frequent Co-op stores may need to look elsewhere for their needs due to supply shortages caused by a recent cyberattack.

The Co-op has been directing the public and media to their social media accounts for updates, posting an initial notice a few days ago.

“Federated Co-operatives Limited is experiencing an unplanned IT service outage. Due to these system-wide issues, the outage may impact some of our systems and operations at some of our locations and online,” read the post.

On Wednesday, shoppers interviewed by CTV noticed the shortages.

While the website is currently offline, customers can still access the app.

A tech expert emphasized the importance of clear communication in such situations.

“Especially for organizations like the Co-op, they’re built in the community. They’re serving the community. They owe it to the community to communicate with trust and transparency,” Dominic Vogel, president of Vogel Cyber Leadership and Coaching, told CTV News.

Patricia Neubauer, who heard about the issue before visiting the store, admitted she didn’t fully understand it.

“They said something about some cyberattack or something, but I said, you’re talking to a 77-year-old woman, I don’t friggen know what a cyberattack is.”

“Back to that example of the 77-year-old woman, they need to communicate to everyone. People have entrusted them for decades in some cases. They owe it to them to communicate with trust and transparency,” Vogel said.

Vogel added that companies need to enhance cybersecurity measures to protect both customers and the company.