The French side stated that an attempt at a cyberattack against several blood banks aimed to raise temperatures to extremely high levels, but the attempt was thwarted before any damage could be caused to blood products or samples.
Previously, earlier this week, supermarkets in several European countries reported that their refrigerators and freezers heated up after being remotely controlled, resulting in the spoilage of several tons of food and causing a total loss of millions of dollars.
The French Blood Institution (EFS) stated in a statement released on the evening of November 3 that on the 2nd, the temperatures and defrost thresholds at three plasma storage sites were raised to extremely high levels. The statement indicated that monitoring systems quickly detected the problem, allowing staff to take timely action, and therefore “no blood products or samples were affected.”
It is reported that this cyber attack attempted to reset the default temperature, which is usually 30 degrees Celsius below zero, to as high as 110 degrees Celsius.
This cyber attack targeted a refrigeration equipment supplier at three EFStores locations. EFStores stated that the products stored included plasma bags used for blood transfusions and plasma used in pharmaceuticals. These products have been transferred or properly protected.
No health effects were found, and there was no loss of blood products, according to the blood bank.
EFS indicates that the blood collection and distribution services have not been affected, and will continue to ensure the provision of services for patients in hospitals and other medical institutions.
