German supermarkets also targeted in cyberattacks on refrigeration units

German supermarkets are now also being targeted by cyberattacks on their refrigeration units, according to authorities investigating multiple cases across federal states in Germany. The attacks involve hackers allegedly gaining access to freezers, raising the internal temperatures, and causing significant damage to affected shops.

The European Commission convened emergency meetings to address the issue, with EU Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen describing the attacks as a deliberate attempt to disrupt the food supply and erode consumer confidence. However, he reassured that the security of food supply is not currently under threat.

Police reports indicate that refrigeration systems in several regions of Germany were likely incapacitated by the cyberattack, leading to temperatures being raised to between 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. In Lower Saxony, a supermarket near Bremen had to dispose of goods worth over €360,000 ($403,000) due to the failure of its cold chain. Similar incidents occurred in Reisbach, Bavaria, where temperatures reached 50 degrees Celsius, affecting both a food-processing plant and a supermarket.

Cyberattacks have been reported in various European countries, including Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Finland, and the Netherlands. The victims claim that their refrigeration systems were remotely manipulated to enter defrost mode. A large-scale attack occurred in mid-October, impacting stores of several major French food retailers and was traced back to a technical service provider. The Paris Public Prosecutor's Office has since taken over the investigation.

The EU has responded to the crisis, with an emergency meeting held on Tuesday involving the EU Cybersecurity Agency (ENISA), Europol, and relevant experts from the Commission. The European Cyber Crisis Network has also been activated, and national authorities are leading investigations with the Commission providing ongoing support.

While the source of the attacks remains unclear, the incident highlights the increasing importance of cybersecurity and the need for businesses across Europe to enhance their security measures. German Federal Minister for Digital Affairs Karsten Wildberger emphasized the growing significance of cybersecurity and the necessity for all sectors to adopt greater precautions.