What happened
A cyberattack has hit supermarkets across several European countries, including Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Estonia, and Sweden, causing sudden temperature spikes in fridges and freezers. Major retailers such as Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt have been affected, with dozens of stores experiencing disruptions.
The incidents follow a similar attack that occurred in France last month, where hackers seized control of cooling units at hundreds of supermarkets, resulting in food losses and fires. In the recent attack, the temperature in some refrigeration units was raised to as high as 50°C.
According to reports, the cyberattacks are a deliberate attempt to disrupt the EU's food supply and undermine consumer confidence. While food security is not currently at risk, the food waste and impact on businesses are significant. The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, stated that the attacks are a serious concern and that authorities are working to investigate and prevent further incidents.
Several companies, including Carrefour Belgium, Ikea Belgium, and Colruyt Group, have reported being affected by the cyberattacks. The attacks have resulted in disruptions to refrigeration systems, with some stores experiencing equipment failures and food spoilage. Authorities have not yet indicated who might be behind the attacks, and no claims of responsibility have been made.
The incidents highlight the vulnerability of operational technology devices to cyberattacks, with many devices being connected to the internet and potentially exposed to hacking risks. Experts have warned that the lack of basic cybersecurity measures has made these devices an attractive target for cybercriminals.
