Importance of Cyber Security in Retail Industry

Importance of Cyber Security
In Retail Industry

Table of Contents
Topic: “Importance of Cyber Security in Business”........................................................................2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................2
1.1 Overview of research........................................................................................................2
1.2 Background of the research..............................................................................................2
1.3 Research aim....................................................................................................................3
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................3
1.4 Contribution of your research...........................................................................................3
1.5 Structure of the report.......................................................................................................3
Chapter 2..........................................................................................................................................5
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................5
2.1 To determine the impact of cyber security incidents to retail industry............................5
2.2 To ascertain challenges encountered by Primark as a result of cyber security attack......6
2.3 To formulate strategies for minimising the probability of occurrence of future cyber
attacks on Primark..................................................................................................................7
Chapter 3........................................................................................................................................12
Research Methodology..................................................................................................................12
3.1 Methodology Utilised..............................................................................................................12
3.2 Summary..................................................................................................................................16
Chapter 4........................................................................................................................................17
Design and Implementation...........................................................................................................17
4.1 Methodology............................................................................................................................17
4.2 Summary..................................................................................................................................18
References......................................................................................................................................19
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Topic: “Importance of Cyber Security in Retail Industry”
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Overview of research
Cyber security is defined as body of practices, technologies and processes for protecting
devices, programs, networks and data from any kind of damage, attack or unauthorised access. It
implies practice to defend servers, electronic systems, mobile devices, etc. from malicious
attacks. As per the statistics, it has been identified various cyber attacks have been carried out in
2020 across United Kingdom which have created adverse impact on overall operations of firm
(Al-Sartawi and Razzaque, 2020). This means that cyber security is crucial for firm and different
trends in terms of attacks that are being carried out needs to be analysed. It will enable to
formulate strategies that will further lead to prevent cyber attacks.
For understanding the significance of cyber security, Primark is considered which is Irish
fast fashion retailer with their headquarters in Ireland. It was founded by Arthur Ryan on 13th
June 1969 and renders their services in different countries. Their key products comprises of
cosmetics, clothing and housewares. Recently the cyber security attack has been carried out on
Primark where email was sent for winning £500 for filling up survey. Here, scam utilised logos
and images of Primark for convincing users legitimacy of email (Primark issues warning over
scam offering £500 vouchers | #onlinescams | #scams | #internetscams, 2020).
1.2 Background of the research
Cyber security is defined as protecting internet-connected systems like software,
hardware and information from cyber-threats. The practice is utilised via enterprises and
individuals for protection of unauthorised access for data centres along with computerised
systems. The rationale behind execution of cybersecurity is to render enhanced security posture
for networks, servers, mobile devices, data and computers from attackers who have one or other
malicious intent. Cyber attacks are formulated to render enhanced access, deletion or extortion of
sensitive information and make cyber security vital (Blum, 2020). The study is conducted to
identify impact and a different strategy to ensure that organisation along with individuals whose
information is stored is protected. Across UK, it has been found that near around 36.6 million
records have been breached which is a large number (List of data breaches and cyber attacks in
August 2020 – 36.6 million records breached, 2020). This makes it more important that
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individuals along with firms like Primark takes essential steps through which the overall
pessimistic impact cannot be eradicated.
1.3 Research aim
“To analyse the significance of cyber security in business.” A case study on Primark.
Research Objectives
 To determine the impact of cyber security incidents to retail industry.
 To ascertain challenges encountered by Primark as a result of cyber security attack.
 To formulate strategies for minimising the probability of occurrence of future cyber
attacks on Primark.
1.4 Contribution of your research
In this study the impacts will be analysed which are created due to cyber attacks within
the retail industry. The emphasis will be made on the challenges that are being faced by Primark
after the attack has occurred and what all the reasons behind its occurrence. Furthermore, certain
strategies will be developed for eradication of the future probabilities. It becomes difficult to
identify that attack will occur but by continuously remaining updated with the technologies and
methodologies used firm can ensure up to certain extent that there systems are secured.
1.5 Structure of the report
This is critical section of research that assists readers to classify information associated
with chapters that will be covered within the study is defined as route map. The different
chapters will be used for having a conclusion and their overview is illustrated beneath:
Chapter 1: Introduction: This chapter will furnish basics about the topic that will be
covered in the dissertation. It comprises of the basis along with adequate information associated
with the topic that is considered. The reader will be able to have data related with background,
aims, objectives and contributions that are being made within the topic.
Chapter 2: Literature Review: This denotes second chapter that is dependent on study
carried out via authors. In this section of dissertation, various books, research papers, journals
articles, magazines and online mediums will be used for accessing adequate information. This
aids reader to identify the work that has been done by others as well as their point of view. Here,
emphasis will be laid on cyber security aspects and the different ways which have been carried
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out along with their mitigation. Through this, the literature gap which prevails can be identified
in an adequate manner.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology: This chapter will provide details related with
methods that are used for carrying out research. It comprises of secondary and primary method to
gather data. Furthermore, philosophies, qualitative or quantitative and many other aspects
associated with research will be illustrated. This all will be illustrated in the context of cyber
security. It is a crucial method through which researcher can have support for working with
peculiar topic.
Chapter 4: Design and implementation: This involves interpretation of data associated
with the topic. The frequency table will be developed that will aid researcher to identify agreed
along with unagreed respondents with reference to cyber security concepts. Furthermore,
various graphs and tables will be used for carrying out analysis of data that is being attained.
Through this, adequate outcome can be attained by taking into consideration different
perspectives and conditions which might take place due to safety concerns.
Chapter 5: Discussion: The fifth activity will render assistance to investigator for
identification of primary as well as secondary information. Here, literature review will be used to
examine secondary information that is related with the topic. Furthermore, questionnaire will be
used for having primary data with reference to significance of cyber security along with benefits
that can be attained through its usage.
Chapter 6: Conclusion and Recommendation: This denotes last chapter which is
accountable for furnishing support to readers with respect to what is done and results that will be
acknowledged by conducting research. This chapter illustrates research findings along with
analysis up to certain extent. Along with this, some recommendations will be furnished for
organisation that will aid them to protect from any kind of cyber attacks in future.
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Chapter 2
Literature Review
The summary that has been published within specific area is referred to as literature
review. This is accountable for development of landscape for readers that will render absolute
understanding in context of improvements that have been carried out. The landscape renders
learner with relevant knowledge that is gathered from previous work conducted by authors
within peculiar field. Rationale behind opting for literature review is to assimilate wide range of
information so that insight can be attained and accordingly work can be conducted (Byrne,
2020). Different sources are being used for accumulation of information like articles, internet,
books, magazines, etc. This will lead them to deliver peculiar data and have optimistic results of
research. Basically, literature review is a systematic process which is being applied by
investigator for accomplishment of in-depth data related with current topic. In addition to this,
the gap that prevails in previous studies is conducted and through their identification, the further
work investigator needs to carry out will be identified. Within this section of dissertation, each
objective that is developed will be analysed in organised manner.
2.1 To determine the impact of cyber security incidents to retail industry
According to Hepfer and Powell (2020), cyber security implies process or state to protect
as well as recover programs, networks and devices from certain kind of cyber attacks. They
evolve danger to consumers, organisation and employees and are being designed for assessing or
destroying sensitive information as well as it might be for extortion of money. This further leads
to create a pessimistic impact on businesses along with this personal lives of individuals will also
be hampered like identity theft. The crime that is related with attaining financial or personal
information about other individuals to utilise their identity for carrying out frauds like having
unauthorised purchases or transaction is referred to as identity theft (Hepfer and Powell, 2020) .
The end result that will be attained via this is that there will be a definite damage on finances,
reputation and credits.
The strong cyber security system comprises of different layers in order to protect spread
of attacks. But this entirely does not depend on cyber defense technologies. It also depends on
the critical and analytical abilities that are being possessed by individuals. With evolution of
technology organisations are moving forward to digitalisation within their processes which acts
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