Cyberattacks target refrigeration systems in European grocery stores
Coordinated cyberattacks on freezer and refrigerator systems across Europe have led to widespread food spoilage and safety risks by remotely manipulating temperature controls.
Major European retailers, including Ahold Delhaize, Colruyt, ICA, and Coop, have confirmed that their refrigeration infrastructure was targeted in a series of overnight cyberattacks. Attackers bypassed security protocols to remotely raise temperatures in cooling units to 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius), resulting in significant food losses and incidents of equipment overheating, some of which triggered fires.
The attacks primarily affected units utilizing temperature control technology manufactured by Danish engineering firm Danfoss. By exploiting vulnerabilities in internet-connected systems designed for remote facility management, the attackers were able to disrupt operations in multiple countries, including Belgium, the Netherlands, and Sweden. While many affected stores have restored operations, the incident underscores systemic security gaps.
This wave of attacks follows a similar event in France last month, which caused damages estimated in the tens of millions of euros. EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen characterized the incidents as a deliberate effort to destabilize food supply chains and erode consumer confidence in the retail sector.
Retailers are now facing increased pressure to re-evaluate the security of connected operational technology. Industry analysts note that as supermarkets increasingly integrate IoT devices for energy efficiency, they are simultaneously expanding their attack surface for malicious actors.