rki.news | Source: Anadolu Agency
Cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems in France have disrupted operations and raised concerns over food losses, highlighting vulnerabilities in connected retail infrastructure.
Hackers reportedly manipulated refrigeration controls, activating defrost functions and raising temperatures to around 50°C, threatening fresh and frozen food stocks. Equipment from Danish manufacturer Danfoss, US-based Copeland and Italian company Dixell was targeted.
French Economy Minister Roland Lescure told parliament that around 700 food distribution centres had been affected, with initial estimates identifying approximately 500 targeted stores.
Separately, Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn suspended operations at several distribution centres as a precaution following an attempted cyberattack. No link has been established between the incidents.
Cybersecurity experts warned that outdated equipment, exposed management interfaces and interconnected systems can allow digital attacks to disrupt physical operations.
Kevin Tellier, a cybersecurity engineer at French firm Synacktiv, highlighted weaknesses in operational technology, including obsolete controllers no longer receiving security updates.
Rafe Pilling, a threat intelligence director at Sophos, said such incidents demonstrate that cyber risk is a business continuity issue, not merely an IT concern.
Experts recommend securing remote access, updating supported equipment, isolating obsolete systems and monitoring unusual activity.
The incidents underline the importance of protecting connected infrastructure supporting food storage, distribution and retail services.
