Europe: cybersecurity of refrigeration systems

This dossier follows cyber incidents affecting European retailers’ refrigeration systems, operational impacts and established responsibility.

Last updated : 3 November 20262 key moments

Illustration from July 2025; this store is not identified as affected. MathildePVD, CC0; resized. — MathildePVD / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ ; Peyrehorade, France, 1 juillet 2025, redimensionnement.

Where things stand

On 3 November 2026, Italy brought together cybersecurity and intelligence officials over refrigeration incidents. The government described the impact as very limited; responsibility for the attacks remains unknown.

3 November 2026Reported information

Hacked refrigeration: Italy mobilises cybersecurity officials

Italy brought together intelligence and cybersecurity officials on 3 November 2026 to examine attacks on commercial refrigeration systems. The government described the national impact as very limited, Euronews reported.

A Carrefour Market store in France in 2025. — Illustration from July 2025; this store is not identified as affected. MathildePVD, CC0; resized. — MathildePVD / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ ; Peyrehorade, France, 1 juillet 2025, redimensionnement.

Adnkronos had announced a meeting at Palazzo Chigi coordinated by Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, involving the heads of the national cybersecurity agency and intelligence services. The agency reported incidents in Sicily, Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna affecting different types of food businesses.

According to Euronews, Italy’s cybersecurity agency issued technical recommendations to retailers. The incidents form part of a European series, but no perpetrator or motive has been established. Available information does not establish that every malfunction belongs to a single operation.

Sources 2

2 November 2026Reported information

Cyber incidents disrupt refrigeration at European supermarkets

Belgian and Swedish supermarkets reported abnormal temperature increases in refrigeration equipment on 2 November 2026 amid suspected cyberattacks. Food had to be discarded, AFP reports.

A Carrefour Market in Peyrehorade in July 2025. — Archive in France; this store is not identified as affected. MathildePVD, CC0; resized. — MathildePVD / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ ; Peyrehorade, France, 1 juillet 2025, redimensionnement.

Carrefour Belgium says 15 of its more than 700 stores are slightly affected, with no hypermarkets involved. The chain says all its stores remain open and products are still available.

Delhaize also reported an IT incident affecting refrigeration systems. Impacts therefore vary between retailers; no consolidated loss total is established here. Responsibility for the attacks and any technical link between the incidents are not demonstrated by the reviewed sources.

Sources 3