A recent cyberattack in France exposed significant vulnerabilities in refrigeration systems at more than 400 supermarkets, raising concerns about the security of similar infrastructure worldwide, including in the United Arab Emirates. During the weekend incident, hackers manipulated refrigeration temperatures, raising them to 50°C and forcing retailers to discard large quantities of perishable goods.
The affected refrigeration controllers were supplied by Danfoss and were found to be running outdated firmware. Some units were so old that they no longer received vendor updates. French cybersecurity authorities had previously advised that management interfaces for such systems should not be directly accessible via the internet, a precaution evidently not fully implemented in this case.
Experts note the attack was unusual in scale and scope. Mortada Ayad, Vice-President of Sales for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Delinea, described it as an unconventional strike that targeted food supply chains—an area historically considered a low-priority cyber target. He emphasized that regular software updates are essential to close known vulnerabilities, although zero-day exploits remain unpredictable.
Subhajeet Singha, Senior TRU Researcher at Actionis, underscored that the key factors increasing risk in connected refrigeration and building management systems are outdated software, direct exposure to the internet, and inadequate control over remote maintenance access. He cautioned against assuming a single entry point without detailed technical evidence.
The security of such systems often falls outside the formal cybersecurity programs because they are typically managed by facilities teams rather than dedicated security personnel. Ashok Chandrasekharan, Chief Operating Officer at ParamountAssure, pointed out that equipment designed to last 15 to 20 years may continue to operate beyond vendor support periods, making patching ineffective.
To reduce vulnerabilities, experts recommend comprehensive visibility into connected devices, including inventories of controllers, sensors, software versions, support status, and access points. Unsupported hardware should be scheduled for replacement. Removing direct internet access and routing remote maintenance through secure gateways with multi-factor authentication can also enhance security. Ayad stressed limiting contractor access to named accounts with time-restricted permissions.
Separating operational technology networks from corporate IT, payment systems, and public Wi-Fi can help contain potential breaches. Chandrasekharan suggested implementing independent temperature alarms and monitoring sudden changes—such as a rise from -20°C to 50°C—as triggers for investigation to prevent stock loss.
The lessons from the French attack resonate strongly with UAE retailers, given that the country imports the vast majority of its food. Maintaining cold chain integrity from ports to retail shelves is critical, and cybersecurity measures must extend beyond traditional IT to encompass operational technologies in cold storage and commercial buildings. Chandrasekharan advocated for stricter security requirements for these systems, increased vendor accountability for remote access, and coordinated drills involving retailers, logistics providers, and regulators.
The financial impact of such cybersecurity incidents is significant, including the cost of discarded stock, food safety protocols, and store disruptions. Insurance coverage for these incidents may be limited, elevating them to board-level business risks. Early detection is crucial, as backups cannot restore spoiled goods. Ayad emphasized the need to treat each connected device and supplier login as a potential business access point that must be secured proactively to prevent future attacks.