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EU Cyber Chief: Home Appliances Next Target After Fridge Attacks
11 Nov
Summary
- Cyberattacks recently targeted European supermarkets, affecting refrigeration systems.
- The EU's cyber chief warns that home appliances could be the next targets.
- Increased investment in cybersecurity is urgently needed to counter growing threats.
Supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe were recently compromised by cyberattacks, leading to significant food spoilage. Juhan Lepassaar, executive director of the EU's cybersecurity agency ENISA, issued a stark warning that such threats could soon extend to home appliances.
He emphasized that cybersecurity must be a priority from the outset, not an afterthought. Lepassaar urged Europe to increase its investments in cybersecurity, stating that secure products must be designed with security in mind. This is crucial as nearly all essential services rely on digital elements that are vulnerable to hacking.
Recent attacks in October and November affected supermarkets in at least 12 European countries, with France experiencing the most significant impact. French authorities have attributed these supermarket cyberattacks to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Lepassaar acknowledged that Iranian and Russian state-aligned actors frequently target European interests.
ENISA's latest report, released in Brussels, details the state of EU cybersecurity. Lepassaar welcomed forthcoming EU cyber rules and plans to expand ENISA's resources, although he cautioned that these measures might not be sufficient against evolving threats.
