PARIS, Nov 5 – A cyberattack targeting refrigeration systems at several blood bank facilities in France was stopped before it could damage stored blood products or medical samples, French authorities said.
The attack took place on Nov 2 at three cold-storage sites operated by the French Blood Establishment (EFS).
The incident targeted systems used to monitor and control storage temperatures. However, monitoring and alarm systems detected unusual activity in time.
Staff then took immediate action to protect the stored products.
Cyberattack Targeted Plasma Storage Systems
The EFS said attackers attempted to raise temperature and defrosting settings to extremely high levels.
According to French newspaper Le Canard Enchaîné, the attackers tried to change normal storage temperatures from around minus 30 degrees Celsius to as high as 110 degrees Celsius.
The affected facilities stored plasma used for blood transfusions and the production of medicines.
The EFS said staff either transferred the products or secured them before any damage occurred.
It also confirmed that no blood products were lost and no health consequences had been identified.
Blood Collection and Distribution Continue
Despite the cyberattack, the EFS said its blood collection and distribution services continued without interruption.
This means hospitals and other healthcare facilities could continue receiving the blood products needed to treat patients.
The refrigeration equipment supplier, Coolworld, also confirmed that it was aware of the incident.
The company said the reported security weakness involved a component supplied by a third party. It added that only a limited number of equipment units were affected and that it was taking appropriate action.
French Authorities Launch Investigation
France’s national cybersecurity agency and Health Ministry are investigating the incident.
The attack comes amid a wider wave of cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems across Europe.
In recent incidents, hackers remotely interfered with supermarket refrigerators and freezers in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The attacks caused food losses worth millions of euros.
Dutch supermarket group Ahold Delhaize said on Nov 4 that the earlier cyberattack could reduce its fourth-quarter sales by up to €250 million.
The company also expects its operating income for the period to fall by as much as €100 million.
The latest incident highlights the growing cybersecurity risks facing essential services, including healthcare and food supply systems.
Source : The Star | Rewritten By Minutesmy
