Security Strategy, Plan, Budget UK government launches Cyber Resilience Pledge with M&S and Capita signing up July 9, 2026 Share By SC Staff (Adobe Stock) Marks & Spencer has become one of the first companies to sign up to the UK government's new Cyber Resilience Pledge, following a year where the retailer was a prominent victim of cyber incidents. The voluntary scheme, launched by technology secretary Liz Kendall, aims to bolster the nation's digital defenses by encouraging organizations to prioritize cybersecurity at a board level, utilize the National Cyber Security Centre's Early Warning service, and promote Cyber Essentials certification among suppliers, as reported by The Register. The Cyber Resilience Pledge has garnered 60 signatories, including major corporations like Microsoft, Aviva, and Vodafone. Kendall emphasized that the pledge elevates cybersecurity from an IT concern to a business imperative, especially as AI makes attacks more sophisticated. While M&S's participation is expected after its previous breaches, notable absences include Co-op, Harrods, and Jaguar Land Rover. Capita, despite recent significant data breaches and a substantial fine, has also signed the pledge. The pledge lacks an enforcement mechanism, making the signatories' commitment purely voluntary. Source: The Register SC Staff Related Security Strategy, Plan, Budget FEMA clarifies rules for cybersecurity grant funding SC Staff July 2, 2026 FEMA has clarified that state and local governments are prohibited from using federal cyber grant funds to pay for membership fees that bundle cybersecurity or technical services, as the agency cannot determine the reasonableness of these bundled costs. Security Strategy, Plan, Budget Texas A&M CIO emphasizes user experience in cybersecurity strategy SC Staff June 11, 2026 Per Information Week, Texas A&M University System CIO Vince Kellen argues that organizations must balance robust security measures with user experience to prevent users from circumventing controls. Security Strategy, Plan, Budget Why boards must stop chasing buzzwords Jon David May 8, 2026 Here are three ways CISOs can guide board members to move beyond the buzzwords. Get daily email updates SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news Business Email By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy . Subscribe Related Terms Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Cost Benefit Analysis You can skip this ad in 5 seconds