Held to Ransom: What the Peter Green Chilled Cyber Attack Means for Your Business

When cyber criminals hit a small logistics firm in Somerset, ten pallets of fresh meat were left to spoil. One client, a well-known UK food brand, faced losses of up to £100,000.

The supplier? Peter Green Chilled, a family-run delivery business quietly supporting the UK’s supermarket supply chain.

Overnight, ransomware locked them out of their systems and stopped new orders in their tracks (BBC News, 2025; Computer Weekly, 2025). If it can happen to them, it can happen to any small business.

And if you’re part of someone else’s supply chain, you’re already at risk.

The Attack: What Went Wrong?

Just before midnight on 14 May, hackers infiltrated Peter Green Chilled’s systems, encrypted their files, and demanded payment. The business couldn’t process orders. Clients were left in limbo.

One, Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, couldn’t deliver chilled products to major retailers, risking both their stock and their reputation.

“Something like ten pallets’ worth of meat products were just left sitting there… It could run into thousands of pounds.”

The attack left Peter Green Chilled offline for days (Computer Weekly, 2025).

Orders froze. Frustration grew. The cost? Immediate.

Why SMEs Are a Growing Target

This wasn’t random. It was calculated.

“Ransomware can have devastating impacts on an individual business, and its impacts can cascade far beyond the initial victim…”

Coalition’s research found:

• 47% of ransomware incidents began with stolen login credentials
• 58% exploited exposed remote access tools
• Many victims had no idea they were vulnerable

If your business uses Microsoft RDP, doesn’t enforce Multi-Factor Authentication, or relies on a single cloud system without backup, you could be next.

How Attacks Usually Happen, and How to Stop Them

Most ransomware attacks don’t begin with elite hackers. They start with:

• A reused password from a staff email
• A missed security update
• A fake invoice that someone clicks
• A remote desktop login left exposed

And when that happens, without backups or a plan, you’re stuck.

Five Things You Can Do Today

You don’t need to be technical or spend thousands. These five simple steps, based on NCSC and FSB advice, can help protect your business:

1. Turn on MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication)
Add it to your email, cloud logins, payroll systems and admin tools.

2. Back Up Your Data
Keep a copy in a separate, secure location. Test it regularly.

3. Update Your Software and Devices
Prioritise updates for firewalls, routers, antivirus, and remote access tools.

4. Train Your Team
Teach staff to spot phishing links, fake payment requests, and dodgy attachments.

5. Make a Response Plan
Keep it simple: who calls who, how you notify clients, where backups are stored.

“No organisation is too small to be targeted — and the impact can be devastating…”

Not sure where to begin? FSB’s Nine Cyber and Data Security Documents checklist is a great starting point.

Free Resources for Small Business Owners

You don’t need to do this alone. These free guides are designed for time-poor business owners who just want to protect themselves:

• NCSC Small Business Guide
• FSB: Three Steps to Counter the Ransomware Threat
• FSB: Nine Cyber and Data Security Documents Your Business Needs
• Exercise in a Box (NCSC)

What If This Happened to Your Business?

Ask yourself:

• Could you reach your clients if your systems were locked?
• Would your backups work?
• Would your insurance cover you, or turn you down?

You don’t need to be a tech expert. You just need a plan.

Final Word: Resilience Builds Trust

Peter Green Chilled didn’t expect to be the focus of a national cyber attack story, but it happened. And every small business in a supply chain should take note.

Cyber preparedness isn’t a compliance task. It’s a business continuity strategy.

☎️ Want to know if your insurance would pay out after a ransomware attack?
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