Cyberattack on French Supermarkets Seen as a Warning for Estonia
In the night to 12 October, hackers took over temperature control systems in French supermarkets and spoiled a large amount of food. Estonian experts and a minister say the threat is real for Estonia too.
Cybersecurity experts in Estonia say a cyberattack on supermarkets in France in the night to 12 October is also a warning sign for Estonia. During the attack, criminals gained access to temperature control systems and raised the temperature in refrigerators and freezers to 50 degrees Celsius. A large amount of food was destroyed, and the stores suffered considerable financial losses. The information was reported by ERR News, the portal of Estonia's public broadcaster.
Experts: the threat is real
Toomas Lepik, a cybersecurity analyst at Tallinn University of Technology, said similar incidents are possible and the threat is very real. Estonia has not yet faced problems like those in France, but errors or careless compliance with security requirements could allow it to happen.
The minister's assessment
Estonian Minister of Justice Liisa Pakosta, who is attending a cybersecurity conference in Singapore, called the events in France shocking. In her view, society must adapt to a new reality in which cyberattacks no longer affect only computers and information systems. She also stressed that Estonia follows some of the strictest cybersecurity rules in the world.
Companies providing essential services, including those related to food safety, face strict requirements. They must make sure software is updated on time, systems are properly connected and cannot be accessed by random passersby. The largest companies responsible for food safety undergo regular audits, but the requirements do not apply to all grocery stores. Pakosta added that both the government and businesses need to invest more in cybersecurity. According to her, Estonia faces both financially motivated attacks and ones aimed at the state and society as a whole.
Retail chain's response
Estonian supermarket chain Selver is closely watching developments in France to prevent similar situations in its own stores. Communications manager Mariann Järvela confirmed the chain has not encountered such attacks and said she considers the company well protected. She noted that the consequences are not significantly different from those of a power supply interruption, and the chain already holds drills for such cases.
It is still unknown who is behind the attack in France and whether a ransom will be demanded.
