A software update may not be enough to protect some industrial cooling systems from hackers, Germany's cybersecurity agency has warned. According to the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), certain refrigeration units remain vulnerable, raising concerns for supermarkets and other businesses that rely on them to keep food at safe temperatures.
The warning concerns cooling equipment using technology from Danish manufacturer Danfoss. The systems have come under scrutiny after cyber incidents affected supermarket refrigeration operations in several European countries.
In some cases, attackers reportedly gained remote access to temperature controls and changed their settings. That left retailers dealing with disrupted refrigeration and the possibility of having to throw away food. Similar incidents have been reported in Sweden, Belgium and France.
The BSI has advised businesses to avoid connecting vulnerable cooling equipment directly to the internet. Companies that need remote access should use a virtual private network (VPN) and review who can access their systems.
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The agency has also asked operators to check for software updates and examine their network security. However, there is a complication: according to the BSI, Danfoss has not yet provided sufficient patches to address the vulnerabilities. This means businesses may remain exposed even after installing available updates.
For supermarket operators, the issue is not simply about protecting computers. A compromised temperature controller can affect refrigeration equipment, put stored food at risk, and interrupt daily operations.
The concern is not limited to Europe. US authorities also warned last week about cyberattacks targeting industrial refrigeration systems. They cautioned that internet-connected temperature controllers could be exploited to interfere with equipment and cause financial losses.
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The latest alerts highlight how ordinary industrial equipment can become an entry point for cyberattacks. Cooling systems are essential to food storage, but their digital security often gets less attention than conventional IT networks.
The BSI's advice is straightforward: businesses should review remote connections, restrict internet access, and avoid assuming that a software update has resolved every security weakness.