1 Weak Password, 700 Jobs Lost: How a Ransomware Attack Destroyed 158-Year-Old UK Firm.

A single weak password led to the downfall of KNP Logistics Group — a 158-year-old British transport company formerly known as Knights of Old. In 2023, the company fell victim to a devastating ransomware attack believed to be orchestrated by the cybercriminal group Akira, resulting in the loss of 700 jobs and the complete shutdown of operations.

According to a BBC investigation, hackers likely gained access to KNP’s internal systems by guessing an employee’s password. Once inside, they encrypted the company’s data and locked staff out of critical systems, effectively paralyzing business functions. A chilling ransom note claimed, “If you’re reading this it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead.”

Though the exact ransom demand wasn’t disclosed, experts estimated it could have reached £5 million. KNP chose not to pay, and without access to its systems, the company collapsed.

Despite having cybersecurity insurance and following IT compliance protocols, KNP was ultimately undone by what director Paul Abbott called “one small mistake.” The employee whose password was compromised was never informed. “Would you want to know if it was you?” Abbott reflected. The incident is a stark reminder of how even basic security oversights can have catastrophic consequences in today’s digital age.