By Basant El-Faramawy
Hackers have already targeted supermarket freezers in the UK, the head of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has warned, revealing that a suspected cyberattack caused temperature spikes in fridges and freezers across Europe.
Dr Richard Horne, NCSC chief, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there was evidence of "a couple of impacts" within the UK food supply chain and that vulnerable technology had been exploited. He urged businesses to keep systems updated and secure, warning that operational systems in the UK "have not been invested in to the extent it needs to be."
Europe-Wide Impact
Supermarket chains across Europe, including ICA and Coop in Sweden and an Ikea superstore, reported similar temperature increases, with one store explicitly blaming a cyberattack. The incident affected Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden, leading to frozen goods being discarded.
AI-Enabled Vulnerabilities
Dr Horne said artificial intelligence in the hands of adversaries can now easily find and exploit vulnerabilities in outdated systems. He noted it was "too early" to attribute the attack to a state or criminal groups but warned that similar hacks could target energy and water supplies. The NCSC has alerted a handful of UK organisations with exposed technology.
Broader Cyber Threats
Paul Chichester, NCSC director of operations, said the centre is also aware of cyberattacks affecting the UK meat processing industry, though national impact remains minimal. The NCSC's annual State of the Cyber Nation report warns that hostile actors are "highly likely" to use AI to increase the scale and efficiency of cyber operations within two years, targeting critical infrastructure such as airports, hospitals, and power stations.
Government Response
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting urged UK households to maintain food stockpiles for emergencies. The government said it takes critical system security "extremely seriously" and is investing significantly in cyber defences.
