One Weak Password, £5 Million Lost: What KNP’s Collapse Teaches Us About OT Security

In a chilling reminder of how fragile digital defences can be, a single compromised password led to the collapse of KNP, a 158-year-old transport company in Northamptonshire. The ransomware attack, believed to be carried out by the Akira gang, encrypted the company’s systems and demanded a ransom estimated at £5 million, money KNP didn’t have. The result? 700 people lost their jobs, and a historic business was wiped out.

This wasn’t a failure of legacy systems or a lack of awareness. KNP had cyber insurance and claimed to meet industry standards. But as the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warns, attackers are simply waiting for organisations to have a “bad day.”

Why SMEs Are at Risk

While headlines often focus on big brands like M&S, Co-op, and Harrods, also recent victims, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly targeted. They often lack the resources for robust cybersecurity, making them low-hanging fruit for ransomware gangs.

That’s where OT Cyber Secure comes in.

How OT Cyber Secure Helps SMEs Build Resilience

At OT Cyber Secure, we specialise in protecting operational technology (OT) environments, especially for SMEs who can’t afford to be offline for even a day. Here’s how we can help with your Cyber 'MOT'

🔍 OT Cybersecurity Risk Assessments

We identify vulnerabilities in your OT systems and provide clear, actionable insights to strengthen your defences before attackers find a way in.

🗺️ OT Network Mapping and Segmentation Review

We map your OT infrastructure and assess segmentation to ensure critical systems are isolated and protected from lateral movement by attackers.

🛡️ Incident Readiness & Recovery Planning

We help you prepare for the worst with tailored response and recovery plans, so you can act fast and minimize damage if an attack occurs.

🧭 Security Roadmap Development

We work with you to build a long-term cybersecurity strategy aligned with your business goals and risk profile.

📚 Awareness and Learning

Human error - like a weak passwords - remains the top cause of breaches. We deliver awareness campaigns and training to turn your team into your first line of defence.

Final Thoughts

The KNP story is tragic, but it’s also preventable. With the right tools, training, and strategy, SMEs can defend themselves against even the most sophisticated cyber threats.

Don’t wait for a bad day to find out your defences aren’t enough. Let OT Cyber Secure help you build resilience today.