French blood bank hit in latest cyberattack on fridges

A cyberattack recently targeted the cooling systems of France's blood bank, causing temperatures to rise dangerously high. According to EFS, the blood bank, three locations were affected, with refrigeration systems manipulated remotely. Temperatures soared from a frigid -30 degrees Celsius to an alarming 11 degrees Celsius, thanks to the monitoring and alarm systems the rise was quickly detected and action taken swiftly.

There is no evidence that any blood samples or products were compromised. EFS immediately took steps to bring the affected systems back under control, transferring blood products to other facilities as a precautionary measure. The blood bank stores blood products and bio samples in cooling units before distribution to healthcare facilities.

This attack follows a similar cyber attack on European supermarkets' refrigeration systems, causing fridges and freezers to become warmer in countries such as Belgium, Sweden, Ireland, Luxembourg, Estonia, Finland, Germany, and the Netherlands. A large-scale attack targeted French supermarkets in mid-October, causing fridges to become warm. The source of these cybercriminals remains unknown.