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Cybersecurity boss warns some UK food firms also hit by European freezer hack as meat suppliers forced to throw out tonnes of produce
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre says a small number of British food businesses were affected by a cyber attack that raised temperatures in supermarket and supply-chain freezers across Europe. The incident matters because spoiled food can disrupt supplies and cause substantial losses, while the vulnerabilities may extend beyond supermarkets.
The attack affected freezers made by Belgian firm Sabcobel, whose evaporators were switched into defrost mode; some units rose from -27C to 50C. Stores in at least seven European countries were affected, including about 40 Delhaize and Colruyt supermarkets in Belgium and Luxembourg and 15 Carrefour stores. The NCSC has alerted UK organisations with exposed technology, but says the full impact and who was behind the attack remain unclear.
In short
- A freezer hack affected a small number of UK food firms.
- Some European freezer temperatures rose from -27C to 50C.
- The NCSC has not identified who carried out the attack.
Explained simply
Commercial freezers keep food at low temperatures across supermarkets, warehouses and food suppliers. Their controls can be connected to computer networks so staff can monitor and manage equipment remotely.
Sabcobel, a Belgian freezer maker, supplies equipment used by food businesses. A fault or cyber attack affecting freezer controls can put stored food at risk, leading to waste, financial losses and possible disruption to supplies.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre advises organisations on protecting computer systems and has warned businesses about exposed technology. In this case, the scale of the impact and who was responsible have not been established.
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