▲ European Refrigerator Hacking
Amid a series of cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigerators across various European countries, it has been revealed that multiple blood management facilities in France were also targeted.
According to AP and Reuters on November 4, local time, the French Ministry of Health stated that several regional blood centers suffered cyberattacks on November 2, but the situation is currently under control and blood products stored in these facilities remain unaffected.
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) also confirmed the occurrence of the attack, stating that it was intercepted before any damage could be done to blood samples.
The blood center explained that at three plasma refrigerated storage facilities, "temperature and defrost setpoints were raised to extremely high levels," adding that "no health impacts have been identified and there is no loss of blood products."
Citing the French outlet Le Canard enchaîné, AFP reported that the temperature of the refrigeration units, which should have been at -30 degrees, was manipulated to rise up to 110 degrees.
This attack targeted the vendor that supplies refrigeration equipment to these three blood center facilities.
The products stored at these locations were plasma bags for transfusions and plasma for pharmaceutical manufacturing, all of which have been relocated or secured with safety measures, according to the blood center.
France's national cybersecurity authority is investigating the incident alongside the Ministry of Health.
Previously, in October, a hacking incident occurred in France raising the temperatures of refrigerators in hundreds of supermarkets and grocery stores to over 50 degrees, which has recently spread to about 10 European countries.
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