Hackers remotely altered temperature controls in refrigeration systems across supermarkets in Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Finland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The attacks caused temperatures to spike to dangerous levels, leading to widespread food spoilage and operational disruptions. Affected supermarket groups include Ahold Delhaize, Colruyt, ICA, Coop, and IKEA. ICA confirmed a limited number of stores were affected, with freezers reaching dangerous temperatures.
The attacks resulted in significant financial losses and operational disruptions. The European Union condemned the incidents as deliberate attempts to undermine consumer confidence in the food supply chain.
Israel’s National Cyber Directorate (INCD) issued an urgent warning to Israeli retailers, food companies, and logistics centers following the European cyberattacks. The INCD advised retailers to inspect their systems, particularly those allowing remote access, and implement protective measures. These include isolating systems from the internet, changing default passwords, updating outdated software, securing remote access with multi-factor authentication, and setting up alerts for unusual temperature changes.
The INCD advised retailers to inspect their systems, particularly those allowing remote access, and implement protective measures.
The INCD emphasized that vulnerabilities in operational technology can quickly lead to damaged inventory, operational disruptions, and safety hazards. The warning highlights the risks of unsecured systems in critical infrastructure.