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US federal authorities have warned businesses about cyberattacks targeting industrial refrigeration and cold-chain monitoring systems following a series of incidents affecting European supermarkets and blood banks. The warning has raised concerns about the security of systems used to store food, medicine and other temperature-sensitive products.
What Has the FBI Warned?
Brett Leatherman, head of the FBI’s Cyber Division, has urged organisations to take immediate precautions against cybercriminals targeting refrigeration and temperature-monitoring infrastructure.
The warning was issued jointly by the FBI, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of Health and Human Services, and the US Department of Agriculture.
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Officials said these systems play an essential role in healthcare, food production, agriculture and other critical sectors. A successful attack could disrupt temperature controls needed to preserve perishable goods and medical supplies.
How Are Hackers Getting In?
According to the FBI, attackers are exploiting weaknesses in industrial controllers connected to the internet. Some affected systems have not received necessary security updates, while others remain accessible through default passwords provided by manufacturers.
These weaknesses can allow unauthorised individuals to access equipment responsible for monitoring and controlling refrigeration systems. Officials warned that internet-exposed controllers and poorly secured operational technology create opportunities for attackers to interfere with critical infrastructure.
The agencies have advised organisations to remove unnecessary public internet access, isolate operational technology systems and strengthen credential security.
What Happened in Europe?
A series of cyberattacks disrupted refrigeration equipment serving more than 350 supermarkets and several French blood banks. Temperatures inside some affected cold-storage systems reportedly climbed as high as 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The disruption forced suppliers to discard spoiled food products, with potential financial losses estimated in the tens of millions of euros.
The attacks occurred in two waves, including one in mid-October and another affecting grocery stores more recently. The incidents demonstrated how interference with refrigeration controls could cause significant losses without attackers directly targeting financial systems.
Were Medical Supplies Affected?
French blood banks were also among the organisations affected by the refrigeration-related cyber incidents.
The French Blood Establishment reported that its surveillance systems were triggered and temporarily went offline during the attack. However, no blood products were lost because the affected samples were promptly transferred to other facilities.
The incident highlighted the importance of maintaining alternative storage arrangements and emergency procedures for temperature-sensitive medical supplies.
Are US Facilities at Risk?
US authorities have raised concerns about similar vulnerabilities affecting domestic infrastructure.
In late August, at least six American military bases experienced freezer malfunctions. US cyber investigators subsequently worked with French law enforcement to examine potential hacking activity.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker described the wider threat as a form of asymmetric warfare, in which attackers use unconventional methods to exploit weaknesses in critical systems.
She also advised Americans to maintain essential supplies, including food, water and medication, in case of a broader cyberattack.
A Romanian cybersecurity official characterised the European attacks as relatively unsophisticated and said authorities did not suspect a state-sponsored actor.
What Security Measures Are Needed?
US agencies have urged businesses operating refrigeration and cold-chain infrastructure to strengthen protection against unauthorised access.
The recommendations include disconnecting unnecessary internet-facing systems, separating operational technology from other networks and securing administrator credentials.
Organisations have also been urged to address known vulnerabilities and replace default passwords that could allow attackers to access industrial equipment.
The warning draws attention to an increasingly important cybersecurity risk: attacks against systems that keep essential physical services operating.
For food suppliers, healthcare providers and other organisations dependent on refrigeration, compromised digital controls can create operational disruptions, financial losses and risks to the availability of essential goods.
About the author — Ayesha Aayat writes on cybercrime, digital safety, and emerging online threats. Her work focuses on public awareness, legal clarity, and technology-driven risks.
