Which facilities were targeted by the cyberattack?
The French Blood Establishment (EFS) confirmed that hackers targeted three cold stores containing vital blood products and plasma stocks on Monday. According to The Guardian, the cyberattack on the French facilities occurred as part of a broader wave of cyber-attacks across Europe that also impacted European supermarkets and grocery store freezers. Speculation regarding the culprits remains ongoing as theories swirl about who orchestrated the incident, according to the BBC.
How did the hackers manipulate the blood storage systems?
Hackers attempted to sabotage the cold rooms by raising temperature and defrosting thresholds to extremely high levels. NewsCord reported that the hackers programmed the French blood storage units to heat up to 110 degrees Celsius, while TechRadar noted that the freezer settings were pushed from -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 230 degrees Fahrenheit in what is being described as an unprecedented threat. Business Insider and The Telegraph stated that the attackers attempted to essentially boil the blood within the facilities.
Cyberattack hits France’s critical blood stocks — hackers push freezer settings from -22F to 230F amid warnings over 'unprecedented' threat.
Were any blood supplies damaged during the incident?
Despite the severity of the temperature manipulations, authorities and news outlets including UPI and Euronews confirmed that no blood samples or plasma were compromised. France 24 reported that the cyberattack was ultimately unsuccessful because the targeted facilities' alarm systems and safety mechanisms alerted personnel in time to prevent any loss of the vital medical supplies.
