Cyberattack hits plasma cold storage units at French blood banks
The French Blood Service says a cyberattack at three of its sites raised temperature thresholds in plasma storage units, but harm was averted. No blood products were lost and no one's health was affected.
A cyberattack has targeted several blood banks in France, but it was stopped before any harm was done, French authorities have said. The attack hit plasma cold storage units at three sites of the French Blood Service (EFS), the organisation that collects and supplies blood in the country. The incident matters because hospitals and patients rely on these facilities for blood products.
According to an EFS statement issued on Tuesday evening, the temperature and thawing thresholds in the plasma cold storage units were raised to extremely high levels on Monday. The attack affected the supplier of the freezing equipment at the three sites.
What was stored in the units
The affected units held plasma bags intended for blood transfusions, as well as plasma used in manufacturing medicines. The service says all products were moved in time or protected against any damage.
The service's account
EFS stresses that no harm was done to human health and no blood product was lost. Its monitoring and alarm systems quickly detected the anomalies, allowing staff to act so that no blood product or sample was put at risk.
Blood collection and delivery continue without interruption, and services to hospitals and other healthcare institutions are being provided without a break.
The incident is being investigated by France's national cybersecurity agency and the Ministry of Health.
