After European incidents, federal agencies warn organizations of potential cyberattacks on industrial refrigerators

Agencies issue security warning

A joint notice from five federal agencies warned Thursday of continuing cyber threats to refrigeration systems used in healthcare, agriculture, transportation and other industries. The U.S. government is urging businesses, including grocery stores and healthcare facilities, to improve security.

The notice was issued by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation. The agencies said attackers around the world are taking advantage of weaknesses in systems that are unpatched or connected to the internet.

Possible consequences and precautions

CISA said a successful attack could let hackers alter temperatures, creating possible fire hazards, inventory losses and reduced system service life. The agencies did not specify whether refrigeration systems in the United States had been attacked.

CISA advised businesses that use industrial refrigeration to change passwords, disconnect system devices from the internet and install software updates that address vulnerabilities. Chris Butera, CISA’s acting executive assistant director for cybersecurity, said organizations relying on refrigeration and monitoring systems should treat themselves as potential targets.

Incidents reported in Europe

Recent attacks across Europe affected refrigerators and freezers at grocery chains. Retailers in Luxembourg, Belgium and Sweden reported unexpected temperature increases that led to food spoiling in stores.

France also reported an attempted attack on its national emergency blood supply network. Officials said hackers tried to raise temperatures at several blood banks.

U.S. incidents under investigation

The warning comes after reports of refrigeration outages at six U.S. military bases in August. The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division has opened an investigation, Thomas Hamilton, a department public affairs officer, told CBS News on Thursday.