From Panic to Prepared
How LAN Support helped a UK professional services company recover from a devastating invoice scam
A growing professional services firm fell victim to a sophisticated invoice scam after an employee unknowingly processed a fraudulent payment. With no email filtering, backups, or cyber awareness training in place, and under the misconception that Microsoft 365 Business Standard provided full protection, the business was left exposed.
Client profile
| Industry | Professional Services |
| Company size | 15 employees |
| Location | UK |
| Previous IT Setup | Microsoft 365 Business Standard with no additional security or backup services |
| Plan Chosen | LAN Support Business Premium Plan |
4 hours
Time to recover
0 hours
Downtime
100%
Client Satisfaction
1
The Incident: Falling Victim to a Sophisticated Invoice Scam
In early 2025, a growing professional services firm suffered a devastating cyber incident. An employee fell for a disguised phishing email posing as an invoice from a known supplier. With no email filtering or awareness training in place, the employee processed the payment, resulting in a significant financial loss.
“The email looked completely genuine. It came from a supplier we work with regularly, and the invoice matched what we were expecting. I didn’t think twice. I just paid it.”
2
The Misconception: We Thought Microsoft 365 Had Us Covered
The company had been using Microsoft 365 Business Standard, under the misunderstanding that it included all necessary security features. They assumed Microsoft would automatically protect them from phishing, malware, and data loss. Without additional cybersecurity layers, backups, or monitoring, and no Managed Service Provider (MSP) they were left vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks.
“We thought Microsoft had us covered. We assumed everything; security, backups, and spam filtering was included. It wasn’t until after the scam that we realised how exposed we really were.”
3
The Impact: Financial Loss, Emotional Toll, and Operational Disruption
The financial hit was substantial, but the emotional impact was equally severe. Helen, who processed the payment, felt deeply embarrassed and upset, and the incident shook the confidence of the entire team.
“I was devastated. I kept thinking, ‘How could I have missed this?’ It wasn’t just the money, it was the trust and confidence I felt I had broken.”
4
The Search for Help: Finding LAN Support
After a Google search for local IT support specialists, the company discovered LAN Support. They were drawn to the clear, transparent service offerings and the emphasis on cybersecurity and proactive support. LAN Support conducted a thorough review of the company’s IT environment and recommended the Business Premium Plan - a comprehensive package designed for businesses that need robust protection without breaking the bank.
5
The Solution: Business Premium Plan Implementation
Since partnering with LAN Support, the company has experienced a complete transformation in how they approach IT and cybersecurity. Employees now feel empowered and informed, and leadership has peace of mind knowing their systems are monitored and protected 24/7.
“Now, I feel confident again. We’re protected, we’re educated, and we have a team behind us that’s always watching out for threats. LAN Support gave us back our peace of mind.”
Here’s how each component of the solution helped transform the company’s security posture:
5.1
Advanced Microsoft 365 Security Monitoring
Most businesses assume Microsoft 365 is secure by default, but it’s not actively monitored unless you have the right tools in place. LAN Support implemented advanced monitoring that continuously scans for suspicious activity, such as: Unusual login attempts from foreign countries, unauthorised access to sensitive files, mail forwarding rules set up by attackers. This means threats are spotted and stopped in real time, before they can cause damage.
“Now, if anything unusual happens in our Microsoft 365 environment, LAN Support knows about it instantly. That’s a huge relief.”
5.2
Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
Traditional antivirus software is no longer enough. EDR is a smarter, more proactive solution that:
If a device is compromised, EDR can automatically contain the threat and alert LAN Support to take action, minimising downtime and data loss.
5.3
SPAM Filtering & Phishing Protection
The phishing email that caused the original incident would never have reached Helen’s inbox with proper filtering in place. LAN Support deployed enterprise-grade email filtering that:
This drastically reduces the risk of human error by stopping threats before they reach staff.
5.4
Cyber Awareness Training
Technology alone isn’t enough, people are the first line of defence. LAN Support delivered engaging, easy-to-understand training sessions for all staff, covering:
“The training opened our eyes. We now know what to look for and how to protect ourselves. It’s made a huge difference.” - Helen
5.5
Office 365 Backup & Egnyte Secure File Sharing
To ensure business continuity, LAN Support also implemented:
This means that even if data is accidentally deleted or encrypted by ransomware, it can be restored quickly and securely.
Together, these solutions created a multi-layered defence system, protecting the business from every angle: people, devices, data, and cloud services.
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Summary
“We needed help, but we didn’t have a huge budget. LAN Support stood out because they offered real solutions without trying to upsell us on things we didn’t need. They understood what had happened and knew exactly how to help.
During the initial consultation, the LAN Support team was genuinely empathetic and took the time to listen to the full story. They reassured my team and I that we were not alone.
They didn’t make us feel stupid or careless. In fact, they told us they’re seeing this kind of scam more and more often, even with experienced teams. That made us feel a bit less alone and a lot more hopeful.”
– Helen, office manager
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Warning: Cyber Crime is Rising
Since this case in 2022, cyber threats have become even more deceptive and widespread.
Criminals target companies of all sizes; if you are relying solely on Microsoft, we strongly advise immediate action to secure your data and prevent disaster.
Key Takeaways
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Cyber threats are real and evolving, and even small businesses are targets
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Microsoft 365 alone is not enough - additional security and backup solutions are essential
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Lack of protection and training can lead to devastating consequences
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Proactive IT support and layered security are essential in today’s digital landscape
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LAN Support’s Business Premium Plan offers a cost-effective, all-in-one solution for businesses looking to secure their operations
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