Greggs experienced IT issues, becoming the fourth major business to face such problems within a week. This led to concerns among internet users, who speculated about the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, security officials closely monitoring the activities of rogue states have dismissed any suspicions of foul play.
Greggs Stores Hit by Technical Glitches
Several technical issues have caused substantial delays at Greggs stores throughout the UK, which led to customers being unable to make card payments and leading to the temporary closure of certain outlets.
Although the company has reassured the public that they are taking action to resolve these problems, there are concerns about the frequency and timing of these disruptions.
Customers visiting Greggs outlets in various cities, including Cardiff, London, Manchester, and Birmingham, found themselves unable to use card payments, prompting some to resort to cash transactions or ordering via the app. Signs posted on the doors of affected stores, such as one in Lichfield, Staffs, apologized for the inconvenience caused by the IT issues.
In Newcastle, where Greggs seems by a lot, customers spoke their frustration. Keely Hurst, a 22-year-old student, expressed her strong preference for Greggs, stating that it is unparalleled in its appeal. A customer named Daisy Wood, 21, pointed out the potential consequences of these disruptions on people's daily routines, especially pointing out the usual long queues at Greggs outlets.
There has been suspicion over the potential presence of other parties among these technical issues. Regardless of no direct link to the recent IT issues faced by British brands, lingering concerns remain due to previous incidents involving the Russians.
There were concerns raised last week about potential interference from Russia when a GPS signal was disrupted during a flight involving the UK's Defence Secretary near Russian territory, according to Express.
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Russian Cyber Concerns Amid Greggs Glitches
In a previous statement, the Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron, made an assertion that the Russian security service was responsible for cyber attacks that targeted public figures and politicians. Although diplomatic efforts have been made to counter such operations, worries regarding the capabilities of Russian cyberspace continue to exist.
A spokesperson for Greggs acknowledged the IT issues, reassuring customers that efforts were underway to resolve them promptly. However, some observers noted an "odd pattern" in the recent tech glitches, raising questions about potential motives behind such disruptions.
There have been talks about cybersecurity and the susceptibility of essential services to cyber attacks, and the discussions have been spread by suspicions regarding the involvement of independent actors. The need to implement stringent cybersecurity measures has been brought to light by recent incidents, one of which being a cyber attack carried out by Russian hackers against the Gloucester City Council.
Professor Anthony Glees gave an advisory about the potential of cyber threats that might target critical infrastructure all around the United Kingdom. He emphasized the need of sustaining awareness and taking precautions in order to prevent such threats, Daily Star reported.
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