Overview

• KNP Logistics remains shuttered with its data irretrievably lost after the Akira ransomware gang exploited a single weak password to demand an unpayable ransom.
• The National Crime Agency reports ransomware incidents against UK businesses have nearly doubled to 35–40 per week, stoking broader economic and security concerns.
• The National Cyber Security Centre continues round-the-clock defenses but concedes it is outnumbered by increasingly accessible hacking toolkits and social engineering tactics.
• Government plans include banning public-sector ransom payments and may require private companies to report breaches and seek approval before paying.
• High-profile attacks on Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods demonstrate that British retailers remain vulnerable despite standard security measures.