Cyberattack Freezes European Supermarkets

Supermarkets across Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden experienced overnight disruptions to their refrigeration systems, amid fears of a coordinated cyberattack. These incidents echo a significant cyberattack in France last month, which compromised cooling systems in up to 700 stores, resulting in millions of euros in food losses.

In Belgium and Luxembourg, Dutch retailer Ahold Delhaize confirmed an 'IT incident' impacting refrigeration and freezer equipment at numerous stores. Swedish retailers Coop and ICA also reported problems with their cooling systems. Refrigeration specialists worked through the night in Belgium to address the issues, disconnecting affected equipment from power grids.

The recent events have intensified scrutiny on supermarket refrigeration systems, particularly those connected to the internet for remote monitoring. The French attack, which affected retailers like Carrefour and Leclerc, saw hackers manipulating temperature settings, causing temperatures to rise significantly and leading to the disposal of vast quantities of perishable goods. Investigators identified vulnerabilities in controllers, primarily supplied by Danfoss, which had previously warned customers about security flaws and urged software updates.