Cyberattack hits blood bank freezers in France

Several regional blood banks in France were targeted by a cyberattack, which did not severely impact blood reserves due to effective temperature monitoring systems. The incident was disclosed on November 4, although it occurred on the same night that supermarket refrigeration systems in eight European countries were compromised. The French Ministry of Health confirmed that various facilities of the French Blood Establishment (EFS) were affected, but the integrity of blood stocks was maintained thanks to alarm systems and precautionary measures. The attack also raised temperatures in the refrigeration systems of three blood banks. This cyber incident coincided with a broader attack affecting supermarkets across Europe, including seven Intermarché stores in Portugal, linked to an external service provider.