Cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration have affected businesses across at least eleven European countries. European Union agencies are discussing a joint response with national authorities as stores discard spoiled food and restore equipment. Investigators have not identified those responsible; Romania’s cybersecurity chief said he did not suspect a state actor.
European authorities are investigating cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration equipment. At least 11 European countries have been affected, with Germany, Romania and the United Kingdom joining the countries reporting incidents. The European Union’s agencies are discussing a joint response with national authorities, spokesperson Thomas Regnier said. Officials and businesses reported four affected German supermarkets and six Romanian outlets.[1], [2]
In Sicily, Italy, a group operating 300 Coop stores reported problems at four outlets and discarded spoiled food. Sweden’s Coop said its seven affected stores had resumed normal operation. Belgian federal prosecutors opened an investigation after dozens of stores across several chains reported refrigeration failures. Italy brought ministers together with intelligence and cybersecurity officials and described the overall impact there as limited.[1]
No one has claimed responsibility and the motive remains unknown. Romania’s cybersecurity director Dan Cimpean said he did not suspect a state actor and that no other infrastructure had been compromised. Britain’s cybersecurity centre alerted businesses with vulnerable equipment. Danfoss, the Danish supplier of controls used in some affected systems, said it was working with customers on fixes. Swedish Coop is modernising older connections used by its equipment.[1]
