A single compromised password brought down KNP Logistics, putting 730 employees out of work and highlighting the devastating impact of cyber attacks on British businesses. The ransomware attack began when hackers managed to gain entry to KNP’s computer systems by guessing an employee’s password. The Akira gang deployed ransomware that encrypted the company’s essential data and locked down its internal systems, demanding an estimated £5 million ransom. The attack crippled KNP’s ability to operate, access financial records, and secure crucial new funding, ultimately forcing the 158-year-old firm into administration.
Source: https://cybersecuritynews.com/weak-password-destroy-158-year-old-company/
TPRM report: https://scoringcyber.rankiteo.com/company/knp-business-development-pvt-ltd
"id": "knp712072225",
"linkid": "knp-business-development-pvt-ltd",
"type": "Ransomware",
"date": "7/2025",
"severity": "100",
"impact": "5",
"explanation": "Attack threatening the organization's existence"{'affected_entities': [{'industry': 'Logistics',
'location': 'Northamptonshire, UK',
'name': 'KNP Logistics',
'size': '730 employees',
'type': 'Transport Company'}],
'attack_vector': 'Compromised Password',
'data_breach': {'data_encryption': True,
'data_exfiltration': True,
'type_of_data_compromised': 'Essential data, financial '
'records'},
'date_detected': 'June 2024',
'description': 'A single compromised password brought down KNP Logistics, '
'putting 730 employees out of work and highlighting the '
'devastating impact of cyber attacks on British businesses.',
'impact': {'data_compromised': 'Essential data, financial records',
'operational_impact': 'Company forced into administration',
'systems_affected': 'Internal systems'},
'initial_access_broker': {'entry_point': 'Compromised Password'},
'lessons_learned': 'The importance of strong password hygiene and the '
'devastating impact of ransomware attacks on businesses.',
'motivation': 'Financial Gain',
'post_incident_analysis': {'root_causes': 'Weak password hygiene'},
'ransomware': {'data_encryption': True,
'data_exfiltration': True,
'ransom_demanded': '£5 million',
'ransomware_strain': 'Akira'},
'recommendations': 'Organizations must urgently strengthen their defenses and '
'secure their systems.',
'references': [{'source': 'BBC report'}],
'threat_actor': 'Akira Ransomware Group',
'title': 'KNP Logistics Ransomware Attack',
'type': 'Ransomware',
'vulnerability_exploited': 'Weak Password'}