A cyberattack targeting refrigeration control systems at three regional blood bank facilities in France has raised fresh concerns about the security of critical infrastructure, as similar incidents disrupt supermarket operations across Europe.
France’s Ministry of Health confirmed on Wednesday, November 4, that the incident affected cold-storage monitoring and control systems at facilities operated by the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
The attack occurred overnight between Sunday and Monday, at around the same time hackers reportedly targeted supermarket refrigeration systems in eight European countries.
Despite the disruption, France’s blood supplies remained unaffected. EFS spokesperson Charley Dubois said staff received automated alerts and quickly transferred blood products to alternative refrigerators that were not connected to the compromised systems.
The ministry confirmed that the situation was under control and that remote access to the affected refrigeration equipment had been disabled.
Blood Storage Systems Secured
The affected facilities rely on specialised refrigeration systems to preserve blood products under controlled temperatures. Any unauthorised changes to these systems could potentially compromise stored medical supplies and disrupt healthcare services.
However, the rapid response by facility staff helped prevent losses and maintain the availability of blood supplies.
Authorities are now investigating how the attackers gained access, which equipment was affected and when the systems can safely return to normal operation.
Supermarkets Face Similar Attacks
The incident coincided with cyberattacks against supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe, including reported disruptions in Sweden, Belgium and other countries.
Some retailers were forced to discard significant quantities of food after hackers interfered with cooling and freezer controls, causing temperatures to rise beyond safe storage levels.
The attacks also follow a separate incident in France last month, when hackers reportedly took control of refrigeration units at hundreds of supermarkets, resulting in food losses and operational disruptions.
Growing Risks to Connected Infrastructure
The latest incidents highlight the increasing cybersecurity risks facing organisations that depend on internet-connected industrial equipment.
Unlike conventional cyberattacks focused on stealing information or disrupting computer networks, attacks on operational technology can directly interfere with physical systems and essential services.
Healthcare facilities, food retailers and other critical infrastructure operators increasingly depend on connected monitoring and control technologies, making effective cybersecurity protection essential.
The incidents have also renewed concerns across the European Union about vulnerabilities in connected infrastructure amid heightened security tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Investigations into the attacks remain ongoing, and authorities have yet to establish whether the incidents are connected or identify those responsible.
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