Supermarket chains across Europe have reported an IT incident which led to changes in fridge and freezer temperatures. Believed to be a cyber attack, the incident has affected multiple supermarket chains, including one Ikea outlet in Belgium.
Incident overview
A cyberattack on European supermarkets has spread across the continent, hitting fridges and freezers from Sweden to Belgium and forcing stores to throw away food. The attack, which raised temperatures in refrigerator and freezer units at dozens of stores, hit supermarket groups Ahold Delhaize and Colruyt in Belgium and Luxembourg, as well as Swedish grocers ICA and Coop. Furniture-to-meatballs retailer IKEA also saw at least one store affected.
Impact and response
The incidents follow an attack in France last month, in which police said hackers seized control of cooling units at hundreds of supermarkets, raising temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius, causing fires and food losses. Ahold Delhaize also reported a cybersecurity incident to Dutch police last month after it detected suspicious activity in its infrastructure. On Monday, Ahold Delhaize realised there had also been temperature increases in the cooling systems, according to company spokesperson Sarah De Meester. The company is investigating the incident.
Practical response for Australian healthcare organisations and Melbourne businesses
For Australian healthcare organisations and Melbourne businesses, this incident highlights the importance of reviewing their own cybersecurity measures, particularly those related to operational technology devices such as refrigeration systems. It is essential to ensure that these devices are properly secured, patched, and monitored to prevent similar attacks. Organisations should also consider implementing robust incident response plans to quickly respond to and contain any potential security breaches. Additionally, they should review their supply chain security to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.
Next steps
To protect against similar attacks, Australian healthcare organisations and Melbourne businesses should prioritise the security of their operational technology devices, including refrigeration systems. This includes regularly updating and patching these devices, as well as implementing robust monitoring and incident response plans. By taking these proactive steps, organisations can reduce the risk of a successful cyberattack and minimise the potential impact on their operations and reputation.
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General information only. It is not legal, privacy or compliance advice; requirements should be assessed for your organisation.