UAE Retail Giant Landmark Group Investigates Data Breach Affecting Shukran Loyalty Program

The UAE's Landmark Group has announced an investigation into a cyber incident that resulted in unauthorized access to its Shukran loyalty program. The Dubai-based retail and hospitality conglomerate confirmed on Wednesday that customer information potentially compromised includes names, contact details, and dates of birth. Landmark Group emphasized that debit and credit card details were not affected, as this sensitive data is not stored within their systems. Similarly, Shukran points, which are utilized for redeeming program perks, remain unaffected.

While Landmark did not disclose the full extent of the breach, the company indicated that customers who received a text message from them concerning the incident may be among those impacted. "We recently identified an incident involving unauthorized access to one of our systems. We acted immediately to contain it," a statement from Landmark read. "We have also informed the relevant statutory and law enforcement authorities and are actively investigating the matter."

Landmark Group oversees a portfolio of well-known brands, including fashion retailers Max, Splash, and Centrepoint, electronics store Emax, Home Centre, Fitness First, and Viva supermarket. The incident occurs amidst a global rise in cyber breaches, as malicious actors increasingly target user data and financial information, compelling companies to strengthen their network defenses. Such attacks can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage. According to IBM's latest Cost of a Data Breach report, the average cost of a data breach in the Middle East reached $8 million this year, with lost business accounting for the largest portion at an average of $3.57 million per breach. The report also noted that artificial intelligence is contributing to more complex and agile cyber attacks.

Despite these challenges, the UAE has implemented advanced cyber defense systems to protect its economy and society. In September, the Emirates reportedly faced 640,000 cyber attacks in a single day, according to UAE cyber security chief Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti. Landmark Group is a major retail entity in the UAE, operating over 20 brands across Gulf countries, Egypt, Jordan, India, Malaysia, and Indonesia.