Just One Weak Password...

Imagine working hard to build your business - only to lost everything overnight because one one forgotten detail: a weak password.

That's exactly what happened to KNP, a 158-year-old transport company that recently collapsed after a ransomware attack. The hackers didn't use fancy tools or sophisticated coding, they simply guessed an employee's password, lock down the company's systems, and demanded millions.

The result?

📉 Business gone
📁 Data destroyed
👥 700 jobs lost

At Apex Computing, we support businesses right here in Greater Manchester to ensure that never happens to you.

Why SMEs Are Now The #1 Target

Whether you're in professional services, manufacturing, healthcare, or construction, if you've got between 20 and 300 staff, you're exactly the kind of business ransomware criminals target.

Why?

Because:

• You likely hold sensitive customer and financial data
• You may not have a dedicated cyber security team
• Hackers assume your defences are easier to bypass than a large corporation's

And they're often right - unless you're prepared.

The KNP Collapse: What Actually Happened?

In 2023, KNP had:

• Hundreds of lorries on the road
• Around 700 employees
• Compliance with industry IT standards, and
• Cyber insurance in place

But all it took was one mistake. A ransomware group known as Akira gained access - likely by brute-forcing or credential stuffing an unsecured employee login. Once inside, they locked down KNP's internal systems, encrypted operational and financial data, and issues a chilling ransom note. No figure was named, but ransomware experts estimated the demand to be as high as £5 million.

KNP didn't have the funds. Worse, they had no viable recovery plan. Data was gone, operations stopped, customers left. Within weeks, the company ceased trading. 700 people lost their jobs and a heritage brand was erased.

The Domino Effect of a Ransomware Attack

The impact wasn't limited to data - it dismantled every part of the business:

• Operational Paralysis: Drivers couldn't access schedules, routes, or load manifests
• Customer Breakdown: Clients left overnight when deliveries failed and communication systems collapsed
• Insurance Shortfall: Despite having coverage, payout processes couldn't cover the immediate operational disaster
• Staff Fallout: Hundreds of livelihoods were wiped out - with no notice and through no fault of their own

Even now, the wreckage serves as a case study in preventable collapse.

Cyber Crime in the UK: The Reality

From the Co-op to M&S to local SMEs, ransomware doesn't discriminate. According to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC):

• There are 35-40 major ransomware attacks in the UK every week
• The average UK ransom demand is £4 million
• Around 1 in 3 companies just pay up, silently

But paying ransoms only fuels the fire - plus if you're an SME it's often impossible to afford - and doesn't guarantee you'll get your data back.

6 Non-Negotiables for Greater Manchester SMEs

Here's what we implement for businesses just like yours, every week:

1. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Stops 99% of unauthorised logins - even with a stolen password.

2. Strong Password Policies

No more "Spring2023!" passwords. We enforce secure, unique credentials.

3. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)

If something slips through, our systems detect and isolate it - fast.

4. Offsite, Encrypted Backups

So you're not held hostage for your own data.

5. Cyber Awareness Training

From phishing to spoofed emails - your team is your first line of defence.

6. Cyber Resilience Planning

We don't just prevent attacks - we help you recover if the worst happens.

Take Action Before An Attack Hits

At Apex Computing, we help businesses stay secure and believe that cyber security should be as routine as locking your office door. If you're a business in Greater Manchester with 20-300 employees, now is the time to act. Don't wait for a wake-up call like KNP had.