EU cyber chief warns home appliances could be next targets after fridge hacks

Brussels, November 11 — As supermarket fridges across Europe become the latest targets of cyberattacks, the EU's top cybersecurity official warned that other household appliances could be at risk. Speaking to AFP, Juhan Lepassaar, executive director of the EU's cybersecurity agency ENISA, called on the continent to invest more heavily in combating growing cyber threats.

Supermarkets in at least 12 European countries were hit by attacks in October and November, with France bearing the brunt of the damage. Lepassaar emphasized that security must be a priority, stating, "Security should not and cannot be an afterthought." He noted that incidents like the recent fridge hacks could be prevented with the right investment, but warned that cybersecurity is not cheap.

Lepassaar urged appliance manufacturers to implement secure "by design" products. He stressed the importance of cybersecurity in protecting essential services such as police, fire, hospitals, and transportation. Lepassaar also pointed to Iran and Russia as known state-aligned actors targeting Europe, though he did not comment on France's accusation that Iran was responsible for the supermarket attacks.

The EU's new cybersecurity rules, set to take effect next year, and plans to expand ENISA's capabilities were welcomed by Lepassaar, though he emphasized that these measures are only a first step in a long battle against cyber threats.