Hackers target cold stores holding French blood supplies amid wave of cyberattacks across Europe
Hackers gained access to control systems at three refrigerated storage facilities holding blood products for France's national blood service and raised temperature and defrost settings to "very high levels," The Guardian reported on November 4.
Alarm systems alerted technicians in time to prevent the blood products from being compromised, according to the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
The attack affected facilities operated by EFS contractors rather than the national blood service directly. Products stored at the sites, including plasma used for transfusions and medicine production, were transferred to other facilities.
EFS, which supplies blood products to more than 1,900 hospitals and supports over one million patients annually, said it had notified France's national cybersecurity agency and the Health Ministry and strengthened monitoring of its equipment.
The incident came amid a wave of cyberattacks targeting commercial refrigeration systems across Europe. Supermarkets in multiple countries have reported refrigerators and freezers reaching temperatures as high as 50°C (122°F), causing millions of euros in food losses.
The attacks have prompted urgent discussions between European Union agencies and national authorities.
"These are not isolated incidents," EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier said, calling for a coordinated response.
No group has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unknown.
Some cybersecurity experts have suggested the attacks could involve state-backed actors demonstrating their capabilities or individual hackers. However, no perpetrator has been identified, and there is no confirmed link between the incidents and Russia.
- Share: