BEYOND BACKUP: WHAT THE BBC’S “GREAT DATA BREACH” AND MICROSOFT’S EXPLOIT TEACH US ABOUT RESILIENCE

Introduction

Earlier this month, BBC Panorama’s “The Great Data Breach” exposed the catastrophic consequences of weak cybersecurity, under-tested recovery plans, and poor credential hygiene. More recently, Microsoft disclosed a critical exploit in on-prem SharePoint servers – actively used to attack dozens of organisations worldwide, including in the UK.

For Harbor, these events reinforce one message: backup alone is not resilience. Business continuity in today’s threat landscape demands tested recovery, secure credentials, and infrastructure designed for timely, controlled recovery.

KNP Logistics: A 158-Year-Old Firm Brought Down by a Password

Panorama’s documentary shared the story of KNP Logistics, a well-established UK company that collapsed after a ransomware attack by the Akira group. Attackers gained access through a guessable password, encrypted key systems, and demanded a ransom. With no usable backup or recovery plan, the company was unable to restore operations – ultimately costing 700 jobs.

Harbor’s take: The right recovery posture includes credential security, isolated backup infrastructure, and routine, auditable testing. It’s not just technical work – it’s strategic risk management.

Co-op Breach: Scale Doesn’t Protect You

In April, the Co-op revealed a data breach affecting all 6.5 million members. Names, addresses, and contact details were compromised. Some operations were so disrupted that teams had to revert to pen-and-paper processes. Co-op’s CEO confirmed the business had no cyber insurance at the time.

Harbor’s take: Being large doesn’t mean being prepared. We help organisations – big and small – build operational resilience into their recovery strategies so that recovery is not just possible, but well-prepared and secure.

Microsoft SharePoint Exploit Proves Recovery Isn’t Just a Disaster Tool

On July 21, Microsoft confirmed a critical zero-day exploit in on-prem SharePoint servers (CVE-2025-53770, dubbed “ToolShell”). The vulnerability allowed remote attackers to:

· Execute code without credentials

· Steal cryptographic keys

· Spread to Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive

· Maintain persistence – even after patching

UK victims included public sector bodies, universities, and private firms. Firewalls didn’t prevent it. Recovery alone isn’t enough when credentials and recovery paths are compromised.

Harbor’s take: This shows exactly why we design recovery environments to be isolated, credential-hardened, and tested under pressure. We don’t just back up data – we enable trustworthy recovery when the worst happens.

So What Does True Resilience Look Like?

The takeaway from all three events – KNP, Co-op, and Microsoft SharePoint – is clear: technical protection alone isn’t enough.

Here’s how Harbor helps organisations build real-world resilience:

1. Tested, Isolated Recovery

Backups are stored securely and verified through regular simulation and drills. You don’t just have a plan – you know it works.

2. Credential-Aware Recovery

Our recovery solutions are built on platforms that incorporate strong identity and access controls – helping to safeguard restore points and limit the risk of attacker re-entry.

3. Cloud, On-Prem, or Hybrid – We Cover It

Whether you use SharePoint Online or on-prem apps, our recovery strategies are infrastructure-agnostic and aligned with best practices.

4. Ongoing Readiness, Not One-Time Installs

Harbor’s managed services help you keep pace with evolving threats, regulations, and tooling.

Harbor’s Role: Quiet Integrity, Relentless Excellence

At Harbor, we believe doing right by data isn’t about fear – it’s about confidence. Our purpose is clear: to protect, recover, and enable peace of mind in a secure, data-smart world.

These incidents don’t just confirm the risks – they affirm Harbor’s mission: resilience isn’t optional.

Ready to Talk Recovery?

Whether you’re worried about ransomware, unpatched systems, or regulatory scrutiny, Harbor is here to help. Book a Recovery Readiness Review here.