Cyber Disasters of 2024: What Went Wrong & How to Stay One Step Ahead
Let’s face it — cyber attacks in 2024 came in faster than a Monday morning inbox. From
national defence leaks to update-induced meltdowns, it felt like every week brought a new
“surely that can’t happen” moment. But happened they did.
So, grab a cuppa (and a biscuit if you’re feeling brave), and join us for a rapid-fire rundown of
some of the biggest UK cyber security fails of the year. Some are ironic, some are shocking, and
all are reminders that digital defence needs to be tighter than ever.
1. Ministry of Defence Payroll Breach
Sector: Government
What happened? A contractor’s error exposed sensitive payroll data, impacting over 272,000
current and former military personnel.
Lesson: National security = no room for cyber shortcuts.
2. CrowdStrike’s Falcon Flop
Sector: Technology
What happened? A software update triggered system crashes across 8.5 million Windows
devices.
Lesson: Even cyber superheroes need a rollback plan.
3. NHS England Ransomware Leak
Sector: Healthcare
What happened? A ransomware attack on Synnovis derailed over 3,200 medical procedures
across London hospitals.
Lesson: Patient safety now includes cyber security.
4. Southern Water’s Leak (Not the Wet Kind)
Sector: Utilities
What happened? Hackers slipped into server systems, exposing customer and employee data.
Lesson: Real-time threat detection isn’t optional.
5. National Public Data Breach
Sector: Public Data
What happened? A cross-border privacy nightmare with personal data leaked across the UK,
US, and Canada.
Lesson: International data sharing demands top-tier defences.
6. Transport for London (TfL) Gets Derailed
Sector: Transport
What happened? Hackers tapped into customer data. Thankfully, the trains kept moving.
Lesson: Incident response plans should be as slick as your morning commute.
7. The Billericay School Breach
Sector: Education
What happened? A cyber attack shut down school operations and leaked student data.
Lesson: Schools need cyber drills, not just fire ones.
8. Schneider Electric’s Security Irony
Sector: Energy & Automation
What happened? The cyber security provider got hacked. Enough said.
Lesson: No one is too “secure” to be breached.
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Cyber Security Right Now
If 2024 proved anything, it’s that no sector is safe. But there are steps you can take to lower your
risk:
1. Run frequent audits – Spot vulnerabilities before attackers do.
2. Test everything – From backups to patches, simulate failure before it’s real.
3. Train your people – Human error is still the #1 way in.
4. Know your data flows – Understand where your data lives and who has access.
5. Have a response plan – Because reacting quickly can save your business.
Let Excelien Help You Plug the Gaps
At Excelien, we don’t just observe — we advise. Our cybersecurity advisory sessions are
designed to identify your weak points, prioritise what matters, and protect your organisation
against evolving threats.
From ransomware readiness to third-party risk, we help you stop threats before they start.
Want to find the gaps in your cyber armour?
