Freezers in Sweden and Belgium overheat following possible cyberattacks as stores investigate
Swedish stores report disruptions
John Billow, head of Sweden’s national cybersecurity centre, told Reuters on Monday that the centre was responding to multiple incidents involving store cooling systems. ICA and Coop said freezer temperatures at several Swedish stores rose suddenly overnight.
ICA said a limited number of its stores were affected by an overnight incident involving refrigeration and freezer systems. Coop told Swedish daily Aftonbladet that six stores had experienced similar incidents.
Ahold Delhaize investigates
Belga reported overnight temperature increases at dozens of Ahold Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg. The agency attributed the cause to a cyberattack, citing Sabcobel chief executive Stephan Moelans.
France attack raised temperatures
The reports of rising temperatures in Sweden, Belgium and Luxembourg came weeks after that French incident. The available accounts differ in how they describe the cause: Ahold Delhaize referred to an IT incident, while Belga reported that the increases were blamed on a cyberattack.
Key points
- Sweden’s cybersecurity centre is responding to multiple incidents affecting store cooling systems.
- Coop said six of its Swedish stores were affected; ICA reported a limited number of stores.
- Dozens of Ahold Delhaize stores in Belgium and Luxembourg reportedly saw overnight temperature increases.
- A French supermarket refrigeration attack spoiled food and caused fires at several stores.