US officials warn of ongoing cyber threat targeting industrial refrigeration systems
Federal authorities have warned organizations of an active cyber threat against industrial refrigeration systems, advising operators that preserve food, blood, and medicine to assume they could be targeted.
U.S. federal officials have issued a cybersecurity alert warning of an ongoing cyber threat directed at industrial refrigeration equipment. Authorities urged every organization that depends on refrigeration infrastructure to operate under the assumption that their systems could be targeted.[1][2][3][5][6]
The warning follows recent cyber incidents impacting temperature controllers across grocery stores and cold storage facilities globally, according to reports citing the FBI and CISA. Targets included three foreign blood service facilities, with one incident involving hackers attempting to switch plasma freezers into heating mode before automated alarms intervened.[4]
In response to the activity placing critical supplies of food, blood, and medicine at risk, the FBI and CISA are urging facility operators to urgently harden their systems and disconnect controllers from the public internet.[4]
Key facts
- U.S. officials issued a warning highlighting an ongoing cyber threat against industrial refrigeration systems.
- Authorities instructed all organizations reliant on refrigeration to assume their systems could be targeted.
- Attackers reportedly targeted temperature controllers at grocery stores and cold storage facilities worldwide over recent weeks, including three foreign blood service facilities.
- In one reported incident, hackers attempted to switch plasma freezers into heating mode before alarms detected the change.
- The FBI and CISA urged facility operators to secure refrigeration systems and cut off public internet access.
Sources · 5 sources
- RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
US warns of 'ongoing cyber threat' to industrial refrigeration systems https://t.co/zZGMvgutEy
Open source - CN
CNBC@CNBCPost on X ·
U.S. warns of 'ongoing cyber threat' to industrial refrigeration systems https://t.co/Jw0ACQBvuk
Open source - *B
*Walter Bloomberg@DeItaonePost on X ·
US WARNS OF ONGOING CYBER THREAT TO INDUSTRIAL REFRIGERATION US officials issued a cybersecurity warning Thursday, citing an ongoing threat to industrial refrigeration systems. Authorities urged every organization relying on refrigeration to assume it could be targeted.
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
🇺🇸 OMG! FBI warns hackers are TARGETING refrigeration systems that keep food and blood cold Attackers reportedly hit temperature controllers at grocery stores and cold storage facilities worldwide over the past few weeks, including 3 foreign blood service facilities. In one case, hackers tried to switch plasma freezers into heating mode before alarms caught it. The FBI and CISA are urging operators to secure these systems and cut off public internet access. Food, blood, and medicine are now in the crosshairs. Writer: Lucas https://t.co/w3L2xECgu1
Open source - CN
CBS News@CBSNewsPost on X ·
Federal agencies warn organizations about potential cyberattacks on industrial refrigerators https://t.co/eG95BSu7rr
Open source - RE
Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·
US warns of 'ongoing cyber threat' to industrial refrigeration systems https://t.co/lYUjFQPXck
Open source