Ancient corporation succumbs to shutdown following ransomware infiltration triggered by a single brute-force password guess; 700 positions eliminated as digital intruders demand exorbitant, beyond-reach payment ransom.
The United Kingdom's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is taking steps to make the country a safer place for online activity, with a focus on preventing ransomware attacks. This new strategy, announced on 22nd July 2025, comes in response to the growing problem of ransomware operations and the devastating impact they can have on businesses.
The UK's Ransomware Prevention Strategy
The current strategy centres on three core pillars. Firstly, a targeted ban on ransomware payments by key public sector organisations, such as the National Health Service (NHS), local councils, and schools, as well as regulated Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) providers. This ban aims to remove the financial incentive for attackers, making these institutions less attractive targets.
Secondly, there will be mandatory reporting of ransomware incidents and ransom payments. Public sector and CNI operators will be required to report ransomware incidents, while organisations outside the ban will need to notify the government if they intend to pay a ransom. This reporting regime aims to improve law enforcement intelligence and offer government support to avoid legal and financial risks, especially where payments could breach sanctions against cybercriminal groups.
Lastly, a ransomware payment prevention regime will be established to guide organisations on how to respond safely when targeted. This regime aims to assist entities not covered by the ban with legal risk navigation and incident response.
Regarding regular independent cyber-audits, while they are not explicitly mentioned as a compulsory measure in the new ransomware strategy, it is likely that they will form part of broader compliance protocols in the future.
The Fall of Knights of Old (KNP)
The devastating impact of a ransomware attack was recently demonstrated by the collapse of the UK-based transportation company, Knights of Old (KNP). According to a Panorama documentary, all of KNP's data had been encrypted, and all of their servers, backups, and disaster recovery had been destroyed. The hackers gained access to KNP's internet systems via a weak password used by an employee at the firm.
The monetary demands from the ransomware attack could be as high as £5 million ($6.74 million), according to a specialist firm. Unfortunately, KNP "simply didn't have the money" to meet the ransom demands, leading to the loss of approximately 700 jobs and around 500 trucks being taken off the road.
In a ransom note left by the hackers, they wrote, "If you're reading this it means the internal infrastructure of your company is fully or partially dead... Let's keep all the tears and resentment to ourselves and try to build a constructive dialogue."
This tragic event underscores the importance of the UK's new ransomware prevention strategy and the need for companies to maintain a minimum standard of cybersecurity hygiene. It is hoped that these measures will help prevent similar attacks in the future and protect businesses and public institutions from the crippling effects of ransomware.
[1] Government's 22 July 2025 response to ransomware prevention strategy [2] Proposals for ransomware prevention [3] UK's new ransomware prevention strategy [4] Mandatory reporting of ransomware incidents and payments
- The new ransomware prevention strategy in the United Kingdom, announced on 22nd July 2025, includes the establishment of a ransomware payment prevention regime aimed at guiding businesses on how to respond safely to attacks and navigate legal risks.
- In light of the devastating impact that ransomware attacks can have on businesses, such as the recent collapse of Knights of Old, it is crucial for companies to prioritize cybersecurity hygiene and adhere to the Government's proposed measures for ransomware prevention.
