A number of UK meat suppliers reported that their refrigeration systems heated up unexpectedly due to cyber attacks targeting software used by supermarkets and food suppliers across Europe, reports BritPanorama.
The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (Aims) indicated that a few of its approximately 300 members had “unexpectedly become collateral” from the cyber incident.
Some suppliers experienced temperatures in their refrigeration units rising to as high as 100°C on Monday night, although these units were empty at the time, mitigating the risk of food loss.
A spokesman for Aims confirmed that “none who have been affected have lost any meat,” emphasizing the need for awareness within the food industry regarding potential cyber threats.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has stated that the national impact of the attack remains “minimal” and is actively working with the affected firms.
At the launch of the NCSC annual report, Director of Operations Paul Chichester affirmed their commitment to support impacted organisations and monitor ongoing vulnerabilities.
Chichester noted that while major supermarket chains were not directly affected, retailers should keep a close eye on their systems and ensure that software is regularly updated to guard against future attacks.
Graham Wynn, assistant director of regulatory affairs at the British Retail Consortium, described ongoing cybersecurity investments by retailers to secure refrigeration systems against potential intrusions.
Rupert Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation, highlighted the seriousness with which retailers across the supply chain are approaching cyber security, reporting that they are conducting evaluations of their systems.
Dr Richard Horne of the NCSC disclosed that teams had been working overnight to warn British firms at risk of similar attacks, clarifying that the latest incident originated from outdated technology exposed online with default passwords.
Dr Horne mentioned that while investigations are underway, it is premature to identify the perpetrators of the attack. He reiterated the necessity for businesses to make informed decisions regarding their cybersecurity strategies.
The NCSC’s annual report documented a total of 1,831 cyber attack reports this year, with 337 requiring direct support and 80 recognised as nationally significant incidents, an indication of the growing cyber threats facing various sectors.
