What to look for in a Managed Service Provider when cyber-security matters
UK Moves to Block Ransomware Pay‑Outs from Public Bodies
In a move to fight back against cyber crime, the UK government is preparing to legally ban public bodies (including the NHS, schools, and local councils) from paying ransoms to hackers. The new regulation targets public sector organisations and critical national infrastructure, with an eye on stopping ransomware at the source.
Following several high-profile breaches in the private sector, including M&S and Co-op, the public sector has also been heavily targeted. So far in 2025, victims have included the Legal Aid Agency, the NHS, the British Library, and numerous local councils.
Why This Is a Game-Changer
– Clear deterrent: Although UK public bodies rarely paid ransoms in practice, this law sends a strong message that paying demands is off the table – no ambiguity, no grey area
–Targeting criminal profits: Global ransomware payouts hit about £652.7 million 2024. By cutting off public-sector payments, the UK aims to hit the hackers’ wallets and disrupt their business model
–New rules: The ban follows a public consultation launched in January, proposing three pillars: a payment ban, mandatory notification for private sector, and broader incident reporting
What It Covers – and Who’s Affected
Public sector & CNI
All publicly‑funded entities (NHS, schools, local government) and regulated Critical National Infrastructure organisations will be completely banned from making any ransomware payment
Private sector
Not covered by the ban – but any private company wishing to pay a ransom must first notify the government. This allows authorities to:
-Assess financial and legal risks (e.g. links to sanctioned groups)
-Offer advice, including possible routes that don’t involve payment
-Block payments in specific cases
Incident Reporting
Both public and private entities will face requirements to report ransomware incidents, expanding intelligence-gathering capabilities for law enforcement.
What Experts Say
-Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasises the goal: “to smash the cyber‑criminal business model” and convey strong national opposition to ransom payments
-Cyber security veteran Alan Woodward notes that while UK authorities rarely paid ransoms, the clarity of this law may discourage attacks.
-Royal United Services Institute’s Jamie MacColl commends the approach but remains sceptical that a partial ransom payment ban will have the desired effect and make the UK less attractive to cyber criminals. He states that threat actors are unlikely to develop a rigorous understanding of UK legislation.
What This Means for Organisations
| Sector | Requirement |
| Public/NHS/CNI | Zero tolerance. No ransom payments allowed. Must have robust backups & recovery plans. |
| Private companies | Payment possible only after notifying authorities – and possibly blocked if it violates sanctions or anti-terror laws. |
| All sectors | Mandatory incident reporting and collaboration with national cyber-security authorities. |
The Takeaways:
-Public organisations must overhaul disaster-recovery and crisis-response planning now. They can’t rely on ransom payments, even as a last resort.
-Private businesses should ready themselves for government engagement before any payment and understand the legal frameworks (sanctions, terrorism finance).
– All organisations need to adopt strong cyber-security frameworks (e.g. Cyber Essentials, NCSC Early Warning) and practice resilience through drills and backups.
Final Thoughts
This law marks one of the strongest government measures globally against ransom attacks, following leaders like Australia. It aims to starve the ransomware ecosystem of vital funds and intelligence at a time when UK organisations remain top targets.
But the measure isn’t without trade-offs. Organisations must pivot convincingly toward cyber resilience, giving attackers no leverage and must be ready for incidents to be met not with payments, but with speed, transparency, and legal savvy.
We can strengthen your defences
If you’re unsure whether your organisation is prepared, we can help. From strengthening your cyber security posture to ensuring you’re incident-ready and compliant with new legislation, our experts are here to support you. Get in touch to see how we can reduce your risk and build real resilience.
Volkswagen Group has over 19,000 sensitive documents stolen in Cyber Attack
The recent security breach at Volkswagen Group serves as a stark reminder of the ever-looming threat of cyber attacks. With over 19,000 sensitive documents stolen, the automotive giant finds itself at the centre of a cyber security nightmare, raising concerns not only for its own operations but for the broader landscape of global business security.
The Attack
Last week, Volkswagen Group reported a significant security breach in its IT systems. The attack was believed to have been perpetrated by Chinese hackers who employed sophisticated methods to breach the company’s systems. The stolen documents included crucial operational details and potentially sensitive information on new electric mobility technologies.
Immediate Impact
The repercussions of such a breach are vast. Beyond the immediate loss of sensitive data, Volkswagen has suffered a dent in their competitive edge and risks financial losses due to operational disruptions and investor confidence erosion. However, the company is not standing idly by. Volkswagen has assured stakeholders of prompt action, working closely with law enforcement agencies to contain further damage.
Steps Towards Recovery
Volkswagen’s response to the breach is comprehensive. The company is overhauling its cyber security protocols, implementing advanced monitoring systems, strengthening its cyber security team, and intensifying employee cyber security training. They are also working with specialist cyber security firms to analyse the breach, identify how it happened, and strengthen their defences against future attacks.
The Larger Picture
The breach at Volkswagen is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of broader cyber security challenges facing the automotive industry and global corporations as a whole. Although the perpetrator(s) are yet to be identified, the clues leading to Chinese hacker groups highlight the escalating tensions surrounding cyber security and intellectual property theft between China and the West. This breach serves as a wake-up call, emphasising the critical need for robust and proactive cyber security measures in an increasingly interconnected world.
Moving Forward
The breach at Volkswagen Group serves as a sobering reminder that cyber attacks can happen to any business. As organisations assess their own cyber security posture, there are key steps they can take to prevent similar breaches. Implementing advanced monitoring systems, fortifying cyber security protocols, and investing in employee training are crucial components of a comprehensive cyber security strategy. Additionally, collaborating with trusted cyber security partners can provide invaluable support in analysing vulnerabilities and strengthening defences.
At Consider IT we help our clients fortify their cyber security defences. As a full-service IT support, cyber security, and communications provider, Consider IT offers expertise in navigating the complex landscape of cyber security threats. From achieving Cyber Essentials certification to ensuring ongoing compliance, Consider IT provides tailored solutions to mitigate risks and protect valuable data assets. Don’t wait until it’s too late—be proactive about your cyber security resilience today. Get in touch for a chat with one of our experts.
Counting the Costs: Understanding the Financial Impact of Cyber Attacks on Businesses
Cyber attacks, once considered a distant concern, have become a pressing reality for organisations of all sizes and industries. Beyond the immediate disruptions to operations and potential loss of sensitive data, cyber attacks carry a significant financial burden that can cripple businesses if not adequately addressed. Understanding the cost implications of cyber attacks is crucial for organisations to fortify their defences and reduce potential damages.
Direct Financial Losses: The most tangible cost of a cyber attack is the direct financial loss incurred by the organisation. This includes expenses related to mitigating the attack, such as engaging cyber security experts to investigate and contain the breach, restoring systems and data, and implementing security measures to prevent future incidents. Additionally, businesses may face regulatory fines and legal fees if the attack involves the leakage of sensitive customer information, violating data protection laws. Just recently, Capita suffered a £25 Million loss due to a ransomware attack.
Operational Disruption: Cyber attacks often result in significant operational disruption, causing downtime that can play havoc with normal business operations. This downtime can lead to lost productivity, missed deadlines, and delayed product or service delivery. In industries where uptime is critical, such as public services, e-commerce or financial services, even a few hours of downtime can translate into substantial revenue losses and damage to customer trust and brand reputation. Just last month, many UK universities including Wolverhampton, Cambridge and Manchester were targeted by a hacker group who organised a Distributed Denial of Service attack, where many IT services were offline causing significant disruption to teachers and students.
Reputational Damage and exposure of sensitive information: The fallout from a cyber attack extends beyond immediate financial losses. A tarnished reputation can have long-lasting consequences, eroding customer trust and loyalty. News of a data breach or security incident can spread rapidly through social media and news outlets, leading to negative publicity and a loss of credibility in the eyes of customers, partners, and investors. Rebuilding trust and repairing reputation damage can be a costly and time-consuming task for businesses. NHS Dumfries and Galloway is currently grappling with the ramifications of an ongoing cyber attack, where a significant amount of sensitive staff and patient data is thought to have been compromised. Affected staff and members of the public have been advised to be on guard for any unauthorised access to their systems, and to be wary of anyone approaching them claiming to have details about their sensitive information.
Customer Churn and Loss of Business Opportunities: Following a cyber attack, businesses may experience increased customer churn as a result of concerns about data security and privacy. Customers may take their business elsewhere if they perceive that their personal information is at risk. What’s more, potential business partners and clients may hesitate to engage with an organisation that has suffered a breach, leading to missed opportunities for growth and expansion.
Cyber Insurance Premiums: In response to the growing threat of cyber attacks, many businesses have turned to cyber insurance as a means of reducing financial risk. However, the cost of cyber insurance premiums has risen steadily in recent years as insurers seek to cover their own increasing exposure to cyber risk. Businesses may find themselves paying higher premiums or facing more stringent coverage requirements following a cyber attack, further adding to the overall financial impact. In fact, the cyber insurance market is projected to be worth over $90.6bn by 2033, highlighting its growing necessity.
Investments in Cyber Security: In the aftermath of a cyber attack, businesses often ramp up their investments in cyber security infrastructure and personnel to prevent future incidents. This may include upgrading existing security systems, implementing advanced threat detection and prevention technologies, and providing employee training and awareness programs. These defences are essential for defending against further attacks.
Long-Term Financial Consequences: The financial repercussions of a cyber attack can extend far into the future, affecting the overall financial health and viability of the business. Shareholders may see a decline in stock value following a high-profile breach, and lenders may tighten credit terms or impose higher interest rates due to increased perceived risk. In extreme cases, the financial fallout from a cyber attack can push a business into bankruptcy or force it to undergo a costly restructuring process to regain stability.
How can you prevent yourself from falling prey to a cyber attack?
While the financial implications of a cyber attack on a business can be staggering, prevention remains the most effective form of protection. Investing in cyber security measures and adopting proactive strategies can significantly reduce the risks posed by cyber threats. One such proactive step is obtaining a Cyber Essentials certification, which not only strengthens your defences but also demonstrates a commitment to cyber security best practices. Achieving certification can provide assurance to customers, partners, and stakeholders that the business takes its security responsibilities seriously, building trust and credibility.
Consider IT, offers comprehensive services to help businesses get up to scratch and certified with Cyber Essentials. As an IASME Certifying Body, we work closely with clients across the UK to get certified and remain compliant. Check out some of our cyber security awards and accreditations, including CREST, ISO and Cyber Essentials Plus for more information on our commitment to cyber health.
Speak to us today about your cyber security defences, minimising the risk of cyber attacks, and protecting your financial stability and reputation.
