A Business Brought Down by Ransomware

A company that had stood the test of time—over 150 years in business—was recently destroyed by a single cyberattack. The attackers slipped in through a weak or compromised password, gaining access to critical systems. Once inside, they deployed ransomware that encrypted data, shut down operations, and left the business completely locked out. Even worse, the attackers also disrupted backups, making recovery nearly impossible.

The ransom demand was staggering—tens of millions of dollars, far more than the company could afford. Without a way to recover their data or restore systems, leadership faced an impossible choice: pay an unpayable ransom or shut down. In the end, they were forced to close the doors permanently.

The human toll was heartbreaking. Roughly 700 employees lost their jobs overnight. Families, communities, and entire supply chains were affected. A 158-year legacy of innovation and service ended not because of competition or the economy, but because of a preventable cyber incident.

This tragic story is a stark reminder that cybercriminals don’t discriminate. Age, size, and reputation offer no protection. All it takes is one weak password, one missed update, or one gap in defense, and decades of work can be undone in days.

The lessons are clear:

• Strong password practices and multi-factor authentication are non-negotiable.

• Backups must be secured and tested regularly.

• A clear incident response plan can make the difference between survival and closure.

• Investing in cybersecurity is not optional—it’s essential to protecting both business and people.

What happened to this business could happen to anyone. Taking proactive steps today is the only way to avoid becoming the next cautionary tale. Here at TrustPoint IT Solutions, we provide advanced cyber security protections to keep our Clients safe. If you are concerned about your business, reach out for a free risk assessment before it is to late.

For more information on the recent cyber attack can be found here.