Supermarkets and other retailers across Europe have reported cyber incidents affecting refrigeration systems, with some stores experiencing rising temperatures and having to discard food. The attacks have prompted wider concern about the security of connected equipment used in retail operations.
Ahold Delhaize told CNBC that refrigeration systems were affected at dozens of its Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg on Monday. The company said some food had to be discarded, but the situation had returned to normal and the stores were fully operational.
Other Belgian retailers also reported disruptions. Colruyt Group said five of its Spar stores were targeted, while Carrefour told the BBC that 15 stores in Belgium were attacked. Intermarché said 15 of its 153 Belgian stores were affected. The company said security measures contained most incidents quickly, although some stores lost stock.
IKEA said a cyber incident affected refrigerators and freezers at its Mons store between Sunday and Monday. The store remains open, while the company inspects equipment and products and checks installations at its other Belgian locations. ICA, Sweden’s largest grocery retailer, said a limited number of stores were affected on networks outside its central systems. Finnish retailer Kesko, Ireland’s SuperValu and Estonia’s One Selver also reported refrigeration disruptions.
The incidents have not been claimed by any group, and investigations are continuing. Cybersecurity adviser Fredrik Blix said the refrigeration control units involved can be exposed directly to the public internet. He said a vendor issued a patch in August, but thousands of units had not received the update and some older models could not be updated.
The latest reports follow attacks on hundreds of French supermarkets in October, when fires, overheating fridges and spoiled food were reported. Intermarché owner Les Mousquetaires said at the time that it expected damages of several million euros. European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen said in October that food security required greater attention, describing the weaponisation of food as a reality.
Sources: CNBC Markets.