Beyond the Horizon: Future-Focused MSP Insights

Business Learnings from the UK’s M&S and Co-op Hacks

N-able Season 1 Episode 24

In this special edition of Beyond the Horizon podcast, head security expert Lewis Pope takes a deep dive into recent high-profile cyberattacks in the UK — particularly those affecting Co-op and M&S. He analyzes what happened, who's behind the incidents, and what businesses can learn from these attacks to bolster their own cyber resilience.

Key Topics Covered:

  • Rapid Incident Response:
    Insights into how swiftly Co-op reacted, with prepared public statements almost immediately after the breach.
  • The M&S Cyberattack:
    Discussion on whether exploited vulnerabilities were previously known and patchable.
  • Ransomware Groups in Focus:
    In-depth exploration of DragonForce and the Scattered Spider group — their tactics, trends, and what makes them notable.
  • Lessons for Business Leaders:
    Critical takeaways for organizations on preparedness, patching, response protocols, and interdepartmental coordination (e.g., involving HR in resilience planning).
  • Wider Resilience Threats:
    Exploration of physical infrastructure vulnerabilities like undersea cable threats and recent power outages in Europe, and how freak weather and climate shifts intersect with cybersecurity.

Lewis emphasizes that resilience isn’t just a technical issue—it’s an organizational one, requiring involvement from abroad range of departments including HR, facilities, IT, and executive leadership. Cybersecurity today is about more than just prevention. It’s about response readiness, cross-functional resilience, and understanding the expanding threat landscape—both digital and physical.

 

N-able also produces Now That's It: Stories of MSP Success. This Podcast explores stories of how leading MSPs and other Channel leaders built their businesses, and how they overcame the challenges they faced to get to where they are today. Inspiring, educational, and often heartfelt this is a must for anyone looking to build their own business. You can listen to Now That's It on your favourite streaming service or watch it on YouTube.

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers. Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N-able, or as legal or any other advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by N-able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N-able or its officers and directors. The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N-able related to any deliverables or timeframe. All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N-able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. https://www.n-able.com