A 160-year-old UK transport firm collapses after a ransomware gang exploited a weak password, triggering massive data loss and over 700 job cuts.
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| KNP Logistics, one of Britain’s oldest transport firms, shut down after hackers exploited a weak password in a ransomware attack, wiping data and jobs. Image: CH |
London, UK — July 25, 2025:
A historic British transport company, KNP Logistics, has shut down after falling victim to a ransomware attack enabled by a weak employee password, highlighting the alarming consequences of simple cybersecurity failures.
The 158-year-old company was breached by a notorious cybercriminal group known as Akira, which encrypted the firm’s internal systems and demanded a ransom reportedly close to £5 million. The breach not only paralyzed KNP’s operations but also led to the loss of over 700 jobs, marking a devastating collapse of one of the UK’s longest-standing logistics providers.
According to a BBC report, the hackers gained access to the company’s systems by guessing the password of one employee—an all-too-common vulnerability in the digital age. Once inside, they locked critical files and crippled operations by cutting off access to essential business functions.
Company director Paul Abbott confirmed the breach stemmed from weak password security, though he did not disclose whose credentials were compromised. Despite following IT safety standards and having cyber insurance, KNP was unable to recover from the attack.
The ransomware message reportedly read: “If you’re reading this, your internal infrastructure is completely or partially dead. Let us suppress all the tears and anger and begin a constructive dialogue.”
Unable to pay the ransom and recover encrypted data, the company was forced into financial ruin.
KNP is just one in a growing list of UK companies hit by cyberattacks. Giants like M&S, Co-op, and Harrods have also been targeted. The Co-op alone had data on 6.5 million members stolen in a previous breach.
Cybersecurity experts warn that this trend is accelerating. Sam, an official at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), said hackers aren’t necessarily using new tools—they’re exploiting predictable weaknesses like poor password hygiene and under-resourced IT systems.
“They’re not reinventing hacking—they’re just looking for companies that make it easy,” Sam said.
Richard Horne, the NCSC’s chief executive, urged all organizations to upgrade cybersecurity practices, especially around password management, staff training, and early detection systems.
The KNP incident is a stark reminder of how digital vulnerabilities can destroy even legacy companies. In today’s threat landscape, a single oversight—like failing to enforce strong passwords—can cost millions and lead to complete shutdown.
As businesses increasingly rely on digital infrastructure, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a board-level priority. For KNP Logistics, the failure to act preemptively has made them a case study in what happens when old systems meet new threats.
KNP’s collapse sends a clear warning: in the digital era, even a centuries-old company is only as strong as its weakest password.