Tech Things: Cyber Lessons from Remarkable Sweet Shop

Cyber Lessons from Remarkable Sweet Shop

When sweet turns sour: how a local favourite turned a cyber crisis into a story of resilience and recovery.

The Incident

October 8, 2024, started like any other day for Remarkable Sweet Shop, a thriving Kiwi business known for its handmade treats and warm customer experience. But by midday, their systems went dark. A ransomware attack had encrypted critical files, halting operations across the business. Customer orders, inventory management, and financial systems were all locked — and every minute mattered.

This incident was a sobering reminder that cyber threats aren’t just an IT problem — they’re a business one. For small and medium enterprises, the impact of downtime can be devastating, both financially and operationally.

The Response

When disaster struck, Focus Technology Group was quick to respond. Our team worked closely with Remarkable Sweet Shop and their cyber insurance provider to:

• Contain the attack to prevent further spread.

• Secure the systems and isolate affected networks.

• Collaborate with cyber insurance experts to ensure a smooth claims process.

• Restore operations from backups, allowing the business to resume activity within days.

Moments like this highlight why preparation and partnership matter. Having the right team and systems in place can mean the difference between a full recovery and a total loss.

The Learnings

Remarkable Sweet Shop’s experience underscored key lessons every business should take to heart:

• No one is too small to be targeted. Cyber criminals often see smaller businesses as easier opportunities.

• Regular backups save businesses. Reliable, off-site backups can drastically reduce downtime.

• People are your first defence. Training staff to recognise phishing and suspicious activity is critical.

• Have a plan. Knowing how to respond before an incident happens saves valuable time.

• Choose a trusted technology partner. Cyber security isn’t just about software — it’s about having experts who know your business and can act fast.

Resilience is built before the attack — not after.

What’s Next

Since the attack, the Remarkable Sweet Shop team has become more cyber-aware, vigilant, and proactive about protecting their operations.
Gill Pringle, co-owner of Remarkable Sweet Shop, shared that having cyber insurance was one of the best business decisions they made — it saved them significant money and helped streamline recovery.

Today, the business continues to thrive, armed with stronger systems, deeper awareness, and renewed confidence in their technology.

Let’s Make a Plan

At Focus Technology Group, we help South Island businesses build cyber resilience before it’s too late.
From endpoint protection and cloud backup to staff training and cyber insurance support — we’ve got the expertise to help keep your business safe.

Let’s chat over coffee.
Visit Cyber Security – Focus Technology to explore our full range of cyber security services.