EUROPE - A cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems at hundreds of European supermarkets caused fresh and frozen food displays to overheat, leading to food spoilage and equipment disruptions, according to retailers and cybersecurity analysts.
The attack affected French supermarket chains including Carrefour, Monoprix, Intermarché and Coopérative U, with some refrigeration units reportedly reaching temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight, Reuters reported.
Coopérative U CEO Dominique Schelcher confirmed that cyberattacks had affected refrigeration facilities at several stores, describing the incident as serious and unprecedented because of its potential impact on food preservation and supply.
Hundreds of Stores Affected
Les Mousquetaires, the retail group that owns Intermarché and Netto, said approximately 180 stores were affected. The company estimated losses could reach several million euros, according to an email to CNBC.
The disruption followed an attack on a service provider responsible for managing refrigeration systems at some of its stores. Some fresh and frozen food displays were taken out of service as a result.
The company said Intermarché and Netto had removed and disposed of potentially affected products to protect consumers. Although some stores experienced smoke from overheating equipment, the group said no fires had been reported.
Retailers were awaiting assessments from a court-appointed bailiff and insurance experts to establish the full extent of the damage.
Cybersecurity analyst Felix Aime of Sekoia Threat Detection and Research told Reuters that the incident extended beyond France, with Spain, Portugal, Poland, Germany and Belgium also reportedly affected.
European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen condemned the attack, warning that food security required greater attention as threats to food systems increased.
Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Risks
Cybersecurity experts have warned that artificial intelligence could increase the speed and scale of attacks by helping malicious actors target multiple victims simultaneously.
Bjorn R. Watne, Interpol's global chief information security officer, recently told CNBC that AI was accelerating existing cyberthreats rather than fundamentally transforming their nature.
The supermarket incident highlights the risks associated with connected operational systems, particularly when third-party providers manage equipment essential to food safety and supply chains.
