Frozen-system attacks reported at UK food suppliers

Food suppliers in the United Kingdom have also reported hacked refrigeration systems, including at meat suppliers and a fruit and vegetable wholesaler. No food was reported spoiled at those businesses. The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assesses the impact in the country as limited.

The reports follow Monday’s attacks on grocery stores in several European countries. Similar attacks hit France three weeks earlier.

In Sweden, Coop’s seven affected stores are operating again, but their refrigeration systems have been disconnected from the internet. A company spokesperson told Reuters that Coop is reviewing its entire store network for further vulnerabilities.

Ica said all 23 affected stores had equipment connected outside the chain’s centrally managed store network. Police Region South will coordinate and map the Swedish reports, while each police region continues investigating its own cases.