Freezer meltdowns and airline hoaxes are a taste of things to come. Hoping for the best is no longer an option | Elisabeth Braw

Acts of cyber-attacks and greyzone aggression have begun to spread panic across Europe. Freezers in supermarkets suddenly began defrosting, with food worth millions of euros going to waste. While Russian hacktivists claimed responsibility, the attacks could have been carried out by various entities such as Iran, North Korea, or even amateur hackers.

Transport for London's devastating cyber-attack two years ago was committed by two British teenagers. Governments have been warning businesses about cyber threats, yet freezers present a new vulnerability. In Sweden, some stores did not connect their freezers to national retailers' systems, leaving them exposed. Meanwhile, French blood banks experienced attempts to meddle with fridges, and hoax bomb threats forced commercial airliners to divert or make emergency landings.

This follows a history of Kremlin-suspected arson attacks, drone strikes, disrupted subsea cables, and disinformation campaigns. The aim of such acts is to disrupt services and psychologically destabilize societies. However, the recent incidents have sparked a renewed conversation about resilience across Europe. Campaigns like the UK's Be Ready, which instructs citizens on preparing for emergencies, are being recognized as essential.

Despite initial hesitation, these campaigns have gained traction, with retailers reporting increased sales of essential items. The incidents have highlighted the need for preparedness, emphasizing that simply hoping for the best is no longer an option. Demonstrating strength and preparedness can signal to aggressive actors that disrupting services is unwelcome and ultimately futile.