The client

A1 Pharmaceuticals is a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler based in Rainham, Essex. With an annual turnover of approximately £50 million and operating in a tightly regulated and growth sector, the company is a high-value target for cybercriminals.  

The business supports a complex supply chain and relies heavily on digital infrastructure to manage communications, logistics, and remote work. With a significant workforce and critical national healthcare responsibilities, A1 Pharmaceuticals’ operational continuity is essential. 

The challenge

Operating in a sector that is both highly regulated and frequently targeted by cyber threats, A1 Pharmaceuticals experienced a number of cyber security incidents over several years.  

The first major breach occurred approximately five years ago when a ransomware attack encrypted critical files, resulting in three days of lost business. Despite recovery through existing backups, the breach exposed vulnerabilities in their IT infrastructure. 

The most critical incident came during the busy Christmas season, when the company was compromised in a coordinated attack targeting multiple pharmaceutical businesses. The timing – during a period of reduced staffing and increased demand – amplified the impact. The company had to cut off external connectivity to protect its core operations, resulting in significant disruption and a financial loss exceeding £50,000. 

The solution

Following the attacks, A1 Pharmaceuticals deepened its partnership with Arc. Working collaboratively, a full-scale cyber protection strategy was implemented, including: 

  • Deployment of Managed Detection and Response, multi-factor authentication across all systems   
  • Upgraded firewall and antivirus protection, including enhanced features from Sophos  
  • Regular penetration testing and proactive threat monitoring   
  • Staff training programs, including bi-weekly cyber awareness emails   
  • Real-time monitoring and response plans for suspicious activity 

This comprehensive approach not only restored A1 Pharmaceuticals’ systems but also built a robust defence against future threats. 

“Thanks to the support of Arc, the changes we’ve made have genuinely paid off”

Chris Dancer, Managing Director at A1 Pharmaceuticals

The results

Since implementing these changes, A1 Pharmaceuticals has successfully thwarted further attempted attacks.  

In one notable instance, the new protocols prevented a financial fraud attempt by detecting compromised credentials before funds were transferred. Additionally, regular meetings with Arc and system monitoring have led to the early detection of several other threats, preventing potential disruptions. 

The company’s investment in cyber resilience has translated into tangible protection, increased employee awareness, and restored confidence in their digital operations. 

Chris Dancer, Managing Director at A1 Pharmaceuticals, said: “Cyber security has to be taken seriously. Thanks to the support of Arc and the insights from our past experiences, the changes we’ve made have genuinely paid off; we’ve stopped further attacks, protected our data and strengthened the business. I now make time for every cyber security conversation, because I know just how much it matters.”