Blood bank refrigeration systems targeted in European cyberattacks

The French Blood Establishment (EFS) confirmed on Wednesday that it was targeted in a recent wave of cyberattacks affecting refrigeration systems across Europe. While the organization stated it was not the direct target of the breach, cold storage units operated by external providers and containing EFS blood products were compromised.

Unauthorized parties gained remote access to the units at three separate sites, where they reportedly increased temperature and defrost thresholds. These facilities held blood products destined for hospitals, as well as samples for biobanking. EFS noted that surveillance alarms detected the anomalies immediately, allowing staff to stabilize the equipment or relocate the products before any inventory was damaged.

This incident is part of a broader trend of attacks on industrial refrigeration systems across France, Belgium, Sweden, and Finland. While previous attacks primarily targeted supermarkets and resulted in significant food spoilage, the shift toward critical healthcare infrastructure indicates an escalation in targeting. EFS is currently coordinating with the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) and the Ministry of Health to enhance equipment monitoring.