What your business must learn from the cyber attack that sank a 158-year-old company.
In today’s digital age, it’s not fire, floods or financial downturns that pose the biggest threat to your business—it’s the everyday password.
Earlier this month, BBC Panorama revealed the devastating collapse of KNP Logistics, a 158-year-old transport company that folded after a ransomware attack. The hackers didn’t break in with high-tech gadgetry or Hollywood-style heists—they guessed a password. One password. And just like that, the entire company went dark.
What Happened?
KNP was running 500 lorries and employing over 700 people. But when hackers from the Akira ransomware gang breached its systems, they encrypted the company’s data and demanded a ransom—estimated at up to £5 million. KNP couldn’t pay. With systems frozen and operations at a standstill, the business was forced to shut down.
No warning. No recovery. One click. One leak. That was all it took.
Cyber Threats Aren’t Just a Big Business Problem
KNP wasn’t alone. M&S, Co-op, Harrods—and thousands of smaller businesses—have all fallen victim to cybercrime this year. Cyberattacks aren’t selective. They don’t care how old your company is, how loyal your customers are, or how “secure” you think your systems might be.
In fact, SMEs are more vulnerable than ever.
“They’re just constantly finding organisations on a bad day and then taking advantage of them.”
— NCSC Agent (BBC Panorama)
Firewalls Can’t Fix People
KNP had cyber insurance. They followed industry guidelines. But all it took was one employee using a weak or reused password.
It’s a harsh truth, but one most businesses ignore: technology alone won’t protect you. People need to be trained. They need to spot red flags, follow secure practices, and know exactly what to do when something feels “off.”
At Start Digital, we’ve seen it too many times:
Staff clicking phishing emails
Teams storing sensitive files in shared folders
Passwords written on sticky notes
No backups. No training. No plan.
What Can You Do?
This isn’t about fear, it’s about preparation. Here’s how your business can start getting it right:
Train your team regularly – Staff are your first line of defence
Enforce strong passwords and MFA – Make it hard to guess
Run cyber health checks – Know your weak spots before criminals doCreate a response plan – If something goes wrong, what’s the next move?
Cybercrime Is Evolving. Are You?
Ransomware is now a national security threat, according to the National Cyber Security Centre. And with hacking tools more accessible than ever, even criminals with no technical expertise are getting in. It’s no longer a question of if—but when your business might be targeted.
We don’t say this to scare you. We say it because we want to help you stay open.
🧠 Not Sure Where to Start?
Book a free Cyber Health Check with our team at Start Digital.
Let’s make sure your business doesn’t become the next cautionary tale.
