When Cyber Attacks Strike, You Need a Paper Trail

When Cyber Attacks Strike, You Need a Paper Trail

As cyber-attacks on UK organisations continue to rise, the message from the government and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is clear: every business needs an offline print plan.

According to a recent BBC News report, the NCSC has written to business leaders across the country, urging them to prepare for the possibility of being cut off from their IT systems and to keep physical, printed copies of critical plans as part of their resilience strategy.

The call comes amid a sharp increase in nationally significant cyber incidents. In the first nine months of this year, the NCSC handled 429 attacks, with 204 classed as nationally significant, more than double the figure recorded last year. These incidents include disruptions at major UK retailers such as Marks & Spencer, The Co-op and Jaguar Land Rover, where systems failures led to halted production lines and empty shelves.

The Problem: Digital Dependence and Operational Paralysis

When networks go down, operations grind to a halt. Emails, logistics, payroll, and customer communications all rely on interconnected digital systems. The latest NCSC advice encourages leaders to think beyond cybersecurity defences alone, adopting a “resilience engineering” mindset: preparing systems, people, and processes to absorb, adapt, and recover from disruption.

The guidance stresses that businesses should hold offline or paper-based copies of operational plans, contact lists, and continuity procedures so teams can continue to communicate and coordinate even when servers or cloud systems are unavailable.

As one cybersecurity expert noted in the BBC report, “The call for pen and paper might sound old-fashioned, but it’s practical.”

The Solution: Print as a Pillar of Resilience

At Hague Group we understand that resilience isn’t just about digital protection it’s about maintaining business continuity when systems fail.

Our print and communications solutions help organisations operate effectively during cyber incidents or IT outages. Whether it’s creating hard copy backups in secure storage, producing contingency materials and  delivering physical correspondence to customers we  provide the infrastructure and expertise to keep your business moving.

  • Critical information storage: Print and securely store hard copies of critical information, supplier details, customer records and financial information.
  • Secure Print Continuity: We can produce and distribute critical communications and direct mail, even when your IT systems are offline.
  • Adaptable and Reliable: With decades of experience and ISO-certified processes, we’re trusted partners to leading UK businesses, government bodies, and financial institutions.

Resilience Beyond the Firewall

Cybersecurity is no longer just about prevention, it’s about preparation and recovery. The NCSC’s advice underscores that resilience means being ready to function when technology doesn’t.

Hague provides the practical, print-based continuity solutions that form the backbone of a robust cyber-resilience plan. Because when systems fail, business must continue.

Contact your Hague Account Manager or reach out to our team today to learn how we can help build resilience into your business continuity strategy.

Source: BBC News & the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)

Find out out more about our print solutions