Cyberattack on French blood banks: cooling systems manipulated, no damage reported
Attackers increased temperatures in three blood plasma cooling facilities in France. Blood bank authority EFS reports no impact on medical supply.
Cooling systems of French blood banks targeted in attack
A cyberattack on three French blood storage facilities was thwarted in time, according to Tages-Anzeiger. The French blood bank authority EFS announced on Tuesday evening that unknown attackers had deliberately and significantly raised temperatures in the cooling facilities for blood plasma on Monday.
The stored products included plasma bags for transfusions as well as plasma for the manufacture of medicines. According to EFS, the attack had no impact on healthcare supply — "no blood products were lost".
The French cybersecurity authority and the health ministry launched investigations.
The incident is part of a series of similar attacks: in several European countries this week, supermarkets reported that freezers and refrigerators had been manipulated via their remote controls. Tonnes of food spoiled, with the total damage estimated at several million euros.
Six Coop supermarkets in Switzerland were also affected. A spokeswoman confirmed to "20 Minuten" corresponding attack attempts. Coop had "comprehensive security measures that are regularly reviewed and further developed". The company provided no further details for security reasons.
Source: Tages-Anzeiger