How one weak password took down a 158 year old company

A recent BBC report highlights a stark cautionary tale: a single weak password helped a ransomware gang take down KNP, a 158‑year‑old UK transport and logistics firm. The breach crippled operations, forced the company into administration, and ultimately left around 700 employees jobless. KNP’s collapse is not an isolated incident: it’s part of a wider surge in cyberattacks targeting UK businesses. In recent months, major retailers including Harrods, Marks & Spencer, and the Co-op have also fallen victim to cyber breaches, underlining a clear trend: no organisation, no matter its size or history, is immune when basic cyber hygiene fails.

What happened?

The attack on KNP Logistics Group unfolded in June 2023, when a ransomware gang gained access to the company’s IT systems through a single, weak password used by a staff member. The hackers were able to infiltrate the network without triggering any alarms, encrypt critical systems, and demand payment. The business, already under financial pressure, was left paralysed. The attack exposed a series of critical cybersecurity failings that allowed the breach to escalate unchecked:

• Easy entry point: The initial compromise was reportedly due to a guessable password—exact details remain undisclosed, but examples like “Password123” or similar commonly used credentials are likely culprits. The hackers didn’t need sophisticated tools; just one human error opened the door.
• Widespread failure: Once inside, the attackers encountered minimal resistance. There was no second‑factor authentication in place to stop them, no proper network segmentation to contain the breach, and no robust or isolated backups to allow recovery. The company’s digital infrastructure proved brittle and unprepared.
• Disastrous fallout: With systems locked, operations frozen, and no viable path to restoration, KNP had no choice but to enter administration. Despite its 158‑year history, the business could not survive the disruption. The case demonstrates how even a single security lapse, when paired with a lack of layered defences, can bring down an entire organisation.

What the NCSC is saying

Richard Horne, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), issued a stark warning in response to the recent rise in cyberattacks against UK businesses. He said that hostile activity in UK cyberspace has increased in “frequency, sophistication and intensity … and yet, despite all this, we believe the severity of the risk facing the UK is being widely underestimated.” Speaking after several high-profile incidents, including the collapse of KNP, Horne emphasised that even basic cyber hygiene—like strong passwords and two-factor authentication—can make a critical difference.

He’s also warned of a widening gap: “There is a widening gap between the increasing cyber risks to the UK and our ability to defend against them” The NCSC has been working to bolster the UK’s cyber resilience across both public and private sectors. To help close that gap, the NCSC is taking proactive steps:

• Revised Cyber Governance Code of Practice: Updated guidance urges boards and leadership teams to treat cybersecurity as a core business risk—with digital training modules and director-level accountability baked in.
• Promoting Cyber Essentials adoption: A voluntary certification that NCSC says can reduce the chance of a cyber claim by 92%—though uptake remains underwhelming at around 35,000 certified businesses nationwide.
• International coordination: Horne advocates for stronger global cooperation in cyber resilience, especially to counter threats from Russia, China, North Korea, and state-backed criminal gangs.

Key takeaways for businesses

1. Strong, unique passwords are non‑negotiable. Avoid defaults—“password123” or “00000” might as well be open doors.
2. Enforce multi‑factor authentication (MFA) everywhere – email, VPN, admin panels.
3. Implement segmented architecture so one compromised account doesn’t expose the entire network.
4. Maintain immutable, offline backups. If ransomware hits, you need reliable restore points.
5. Ongoing staff training and policy enforcement—employees are the frontline defense.

Just like someone testing obvious combinations like “0000” or “1234” on your bike lock, hackers take the same approach to breaching systems. They don’t start with complex exploits; they start with the easiest guesses. A weak password, a reused login, an unlocked port. And remember that in cybersecurity, the weakest link is almost human. Whether it’s using a guessable password, clicking a phishing link, or misconfiguring access settings, human error remains the most common entry point for attacks. 

What you should do now

• Review your IT policy: ensure it mandates strong passwords, MFA, regular training.
• Train your staff: attack simulations, phishing drills, password hygiene refresher.
• Audit your systems: check backup integrity, access logs, segmentation.
• Run tabletop scenario tests: simulate an incident to test responsiveness and recovery.

VinciWorks’ cyber security courses prepare your team for all cyber risks with training and micro-learning modules on a range of topics from social media to IT security. These can easily be configured into a multi-year training plan, ensuring long-term protection.