The Pentagon is investigating a series of freezer malfunctions at US military bases as a suspected cyberattack after the incidents spoiled food at on-base stores in August. Investigators are examining whether someone remotely altered refrigeration controls, raising concerns about the security of systems that manage essential physical infrastructure.
According to Reuters, the failures affected at least six military commissaries, where service members and their families purchase groceries. Officials have not confirmed that hackers were responsible or identified any suspects.
One incident occurred at Fort Huachuca in Arizona on August 26. The base reported that a freezer entered defrost mode, causing temperatures to rise and food to spoil. Large quantities of products had to be discarded.
The unusual behaviour caught investigators' attention because the equipment appeared to do more than simply stop cooling. In at least one case, temperatures reportedly increased overnight, suggesting that the controls may have been changed.
The affected locations reportedly included military installations in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Arkansas, Wyoming and Georgia.
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The Pentagon confirmed that a unit of US Cyber Command is working with other government agencies and law enforcement partners. The Army Criminal Investigation Division has also confirmed that its Cyber Field Office is involved.
Investigators are coordinating with French authorities following a similar incident involving commercial refrigeration systems in France earlier in October. Reuters reported that the French attack affected more than 350 establishments, with some freezers reportedly heated enough to cause fires. Investigators have not established whether the US and French incidents are connected.
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Cybersecurity experts have warned that refrigeration systems can become vulnerable when equipment designed for local maintenance is connected to the internet. Outdated controllers and firmware may leave systems exposed to remote interference.
The incidents highlight how cyberattacks can disrupt physical operations without directly targeting conventional computer networks. Food storage, electricity and water systems all depend on equipment that can be affected by unauthorised digital access.
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The case underscores the potential risks to food supplies when connected industrial equipment is compromised. Until investigators establish what happened, the freezer failures remain suspected cyber incidents rather than confirmed attacks.