In an age where convenience is king, many of us have grown accustomed to a world where we can leave our wallets at home, safe in the knowledge that our smartphones can handle everything—from boarding passes to banking. But a recent cyber attack on Marks & Spencer (M&S) has brought a startling reality into focus: technology, for all its advantages, is not infallible.
The attack left shoppers flustered as the payment systems went down, forcing customers to resort to old-fashioned methods—paying with physical cards or cash. For many, this was a serious disruption. Mobile payments have become second nature; with no spending limits and the convenience of always having your phone in hand, they’ve become the default for millions. The need for a physical wallet has slowly faded.
But this incident poses an important question: Are we relying too heavily on our phones?
Imagine this cyber attack had affected multiple stores, not just M&S. Picture the chaos if major retailers across the country were unable to process digital payments. Shoppers would be forced to abandon their trolleys, dash home for a forgotten debit card—or worse, find themselves unable to make purchases at all if card payments were down entirely.
It’s easy to forget that our current systems, while modern and efficient, are also highly centralised and vulnerable. If mobile payments fail and card terminals go offline, cash becomes the last line of defense. Yet, we’ve been steadily phasing it out of everyday use. More stores go cashless every month, and fewer people carry coins or notes on a daily basis.
So maybe it’s time to reconsider. Should we be reintegrating more cash into our society—not out of nostalgia, but as a matter of resilience? Having cash on hand could be the difference between getting home with dinner or going hungry in a worst-case scenario.
The M&S incident is a stark reminder that while technology offers incredible convenience, over-dependence comes with risks. Digital wallets and contactless payments aren’t going anywhere, but perhaps it’s time to make room for a little more balance.
After all, in a world where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, sometimes the simplest backup—like a tenner in your pocket—can make all the difference.
