Supermarket Cooling Systems Hit by Suspected Cyberattacks Across Europe

Grocery store refrigeration systems in multiple European nations have experienced rising temperatures following suspected cyberattacks, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in operational technology. Overnight temperature anomalies were documented at retail locations in Sweden, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Estonia, according to authorities and retailers speaking on Monday.

John Billow, head of Sweden’s national cybersecurity centre, confirmed that the organization is responding to multiple incidents affecting store cooling units. He noted that officials had previously identified numerous exposed operational technology devices requiring patches or updates. Swedish grocery operators ICA and Coop reported sudden freezer temperature spikes, while Axfood confirmed that a distribution center for home deliveries in the Gothenburg area was targeted.

SuperValu, Ireland's third-largest supermarket chain, stated that a specific model of refrigeration equipment experienced a cyber incident at 13 of its stores. Meanwhile, Belga news agency reported similar overnight temperature surges at numerous Ahold Delhaize locations in Belgium and Luxembourg. Stephan Moelans, chief executive of refrigeration company Sabcobel, attributed these disruptions to a cyberattack that switched unit evaporators into defrost mode. Colruyt Group reported that five Spar shops in Belgium were also impacted, while technology supplier Kitman Coldtech confirmed that at least one unnamed supermarket chain in Estonia faced similar issues.

Suspected cyberattacks caused sudden temperature spikes in supermarket refrigeration systems across several European countries.

Kitman CEO Jann Mutso stated that temperatures at the affected Estonian chain reached 50 degrees Celsius, matching conditions reported during a prior cyberattack on hundreds of supermarkets in France weeks earlier. One Swedish store noted on social media that its refrigerators and freezers had been altered to reach that exact same high temperature. Ahold Delhaize previously reported a cybersecurity incident to Dutch police last month.

Swedish Supermarket Chains Affected

Sweden supermarket chains such as ICA, Coop, and Axfood are among the prominent retailers addressing these unexpected technological disruptions. Private operators and industry suppliers continue to investigate the extent of the tampering with operational technology devices that traditionally operated through mechanical means.

Why it matters

These incidents demonstrate the growing cybersecurity risks facing operational technology infrastructure that once relied primarily on mechanical controls. The widespread temperature spikes affecting grocery stores across multiple European countries disrupt food storage and supply chains, demonstrating how vulnerabilities in commercial refrigeration units can impact retail operations internationally.