UK food suppliers affected by refrigeration cyber-attacks across Europe

The National Cyber Security Centre has confirmed that vulnerable technology was exploited at UK businesses amid cyber-attacks affecting refrigeration across Europe. Chief executive Richard Horne said the agency worked overnight to warn potentially affected organisations. The British Association of Independent Meat Suppliers said two members’ fridges began defrosting and another member’s cold units reportedly reached 100C. All were empty, so no produce was lost.

Monday’s disruption affected supermarkets in several European countries, with some retailers reporting substantial food losses. Belgian manufacturer Sabcobel said affected units’ evaporators had been switched into defrost mode. The NCSC described the UK impact as minimal and said it was helping organisations address vulnerabilities. Horne said responsibility for the attacks remained unclear.

The incidents highlight the food industry’s dependence on remotely managed refrigeration. Earlier attacks in France exploited weaknesses in control systems that researchers had identified months before. Horne said some businesses were running ageing technology without upgrades or adequate separation from the internet, while the British Retail Consortium said retailers were coordinating safeguards with the NCSC.