Threats Facing UK Businesses: From M&S to JLR
Marks & Spencer, Co-op, Harrods, Kido Nurseries, Collins Aerospace, Asahi, Discord (yes, not technically UK-based), Renault UK, and Jaguar Land Rover — all very different businesses, yet all facing the same growing challenge: cybersecurity threats.
It feels like every other week there’s another headline about a major cyber incident disrupting business as usual — from customers unable to place online orders at M&S, to flights cancelled or diverted due to compromised systems. The latest high-profile victim is Jaguar Land Rover, where an ongoing cyberattack has caused significant operational disruption. While details remain scarce, it inevitably raises the question: how could this happen?
A recent BBC article highlights one of the most common attack methods we’re seeing today — ransomware-as-a-service. We wrote about this back in 2023, but it’s worth revisiting. The threat landscape has evolved fast, and so has the sophistication of these attacks. Businesses must ensure their systems are locked down — and that access is limited to the people who genuinely need it.
Because the truth is simple: if someone opens the door and lets the attackers in, even the best security systems in the world can’t stop them.
The Top 3 Security Basics Every Business Should Have in Place
Whether you’re a global brand or a small local firm, these three principles form the foundation of effective cyber resilience and should be part of every IT security strategy:
Everyday user accounts should have only the bare minimum permissions required to do their jobs. No admin rights on daily-use machines or systems — and restricted internet access where possible. The fewer doors available to attackers, the fewer they can break through.
You can’t stop what you can’t see. Monitoring for unusual system activity can catch an attack before it spirals.
For instance, perhaps Fred suddenly copies a large number of files, or David starts accessing hundreds of folders in minutes, or Dawn logs in from Argentina — even though she usually works from Hemel Hempstead.
A good SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solution automates this kind of detection, but at the very least, organisations should have manual alerts set up for suspicious behaviour.
Many business leaders will tell you they’ve got one — but ask when it was last updated or tested, and the answer is often “years ago.”
A plan that’s current, tested and refined at least every 12 months makes a huge difference when disaster strikes. Having a well-rehearsed recovery plan makes all the difference in limiting downtime and financial loss following a cyberattack.
Cybersecurity and Productivity: It Doesn’t Have to Be a Trade-Off
Yes, good security practices can sometimes feel restrictive and cause frustration with team members — but with the right IT team in place, security shouldn’t be a barrier to productivity. Smart configuration, responsive support and clear policies keep operations running smoothly while maintaining strong defences.
Cybersecurity should never be seen as a trade-off between convenience and protection. It’s the backbone of business resilience, brand reputation and customer trust.
For most UK businesses — large or small — now is the time to review your cybersecurity strategy, ensure your ransomware protection measures are up to date, and confirm that your business continuity plan really works when you need it.
At Lost in IT, we offer tailored cybersecurity audits, ransomware protection, and business continuity planning to help UK businesses stay secure and resilient.
Get in touch today to arrange a cyber health check for your business. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Based in Hemel Hempstead we help businesses in St. Albans, Berkhamsted, Kings Langley, Abbots Langley, Tring, Harpenden, Watford, Aylesbury, Wendover, Marlow, Luton, Welwyn Garden City, Leighton Buzzard, Chesham, Dunstable, Hatfield, Enfield, London, Oxford, Reading, Herts, Beds, Bucks and across the UK.
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cybersecurity threats to UK businesses
ransomware protection for SMEs
business continuity planning
ransomware-as-a-service explained
IT security best practices
cyberattack prevention tips
cybersecurity for UK companies
