A weak password led to ransomware attack that shut down KNP Logistics Group, a 158-year-old transport firm in Northamptonshire. As a result, 700 employees lost their jobs. This breach is now a stark reminder of how one oversight can take down a whole company.
Hackers from the Akira ransomware gang guessed an employee’s password. Then, they locked the firm’s data and demanded a ransom estimated at £5 million, according to a BBC Panorama investigation.
Paul Abbott, KNP’s director, chose not to inform the affected staff member. “Would you want to know if it was you?” he asked in the report.
A National Crisis in Cybersecurity
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which is part of GCHQ, handles at least one major cyberattack every day. Its CEO, Richard Horne, says companies must treat digital defense as essential.
Even big brands like Co-op, Marks & Spencer, and Harrods have suffered ransomware breaches. Co-op recently confirmed that data of 6.5 million members had been stolen during one such attack.
“They’re just finding organisations on a bad day and taking advantage,” said an NCSC analyst during the BBC’s Panorama program.
Ransomware Is Evolving — and Spreading Fast
The National Crime Agency (NCA) reports that cyberattacks have nearly doubled. They now respond to 35–40 incidents every week. Many attackers use easy-to-find tools, so deep technical skills are no longer required. This lowers the barrier for criminals.
During the M\&S attack, hackers didn’t breach the system through code. Instead, they tricked an IT helpdesk into giving access—a technique called “blagging.”
James Babbage, the NCA’s Director General of Threats, says today’s hackers often begin in gaming communities. From there, they move on to using dark web ransomware kits that are simple to deploy.
Should Companies Pay?
Officials strongly advise against paying hackers. “It’s the paying of ransoms that fuels this crime,” Babbage warned.
However, many firms feel trapped. Cybersecurity consultant Paul Cashmore, who worked on the KNP case, said most companies give in to avoid total collapse. “When faced with losing everything, companies pay,” he explained.
In response, the UK government is reviewing new legislation. These rules could ban public bodies from paying ransoms. Private companies may also be required to report such attacks and seek approval before paying.
A Call for Cyber MOTs
Paul Abbott, now a speaker on cyber risk, believes companies should pass mandatory digital audits. “There need to be rules that make you more resilient to criminal activity,” he told the BBC.
In late 2023, a UK Parliament committee warned of a high risk of a catastrophic ransomware event. A 2024 National Audit Office report described the threat as “severe and advancing quickly.”
As criminal gangs grow bolder, the warning is clear. Even one weak password can open the door to disaster.
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