U supermarkets assess damage after cyberattack cripples refrigeration units
Dominique Schelcher said a cyberattack on Danfoss controls caused refrigerators in dozens of U stores to overheat, leading to significant financial losses.
A cyber intrusion aimed at Danfoss' refrigeration control software caused freezers in multiple U supermarkets to overheat, some reaching temperatures above 50°C. Dominique Schelcher, head of the Coopérative U, said roughly 80 stores were impacted, with many unable to react quickly enough to preserve the cold chain. Financial damage varies, with smaller outlets losing several tens of thousands of euros and larger hypermarkets suffering considerably higher losses.
The breach also affected stores of Monoprix, Leclerc, Intermarché and a few Carrefour locations. Schelcher emphasized the unprecedented nature of the attack, describing it as an assault on France's food supply. He confirmed that the prime minister has launched an ANSSI inquiry and stressed the need to learn from the crisis to improve system resilience.
Why it matters
The hack exposes vulnerabilities in food supply chains and could raise food prices for consumers.
How this story developed
- Oct 12 Cyberattack disrupts refrigeration systems at Intermarché and Coopérative U stores
- Oct 12 The attack specifically exploits outdated Danfoss software versions older than version 4.
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