CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Cyberattack on French blood bank tried to raise temperature to 110 degrees
CNN Central News and Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News / Agencies, Bhopal:
A cyberattack targeted the cooling systems of three centres linked to France’s government blood service, EFS. Hackers tried to raise the temperature of cold storage units holding blood plasma to an extremely high level. According to media reports, an attempt was made to change the system’s temperature setting from minus 30 degrees Celsius to 110 degrees Celsius. However, monitoring and alarm systems detected the threat in time, and staff brought the situation under control.
France’s national blood service EFS said the attack affected the monitoring and control systems of three centres where plasma was stored. The sites held bags of plasma used for blood transfusions and plasma used in the manufacture of medicines. Staff moved the affected material to safe locations. According to officials, no blood products were damaged and there was no impact on patients’ health. Blood collection and distribution services also continued as normal.
The seriousness of the incident is greater because EFS supplies blood and related products to more than 1,900 hospitals in France. France’s health ministry and national cybersecurity agency are investigating the matter. Remote access to the affected equipment has also been shut down.
Earlier in October, cyberattacks targeted refrigeration systems at around 700 supermarkets in France. Similar incidents were later reported in Belgium, the Netherlands and other European countries. Food products spoiled in supermarkets, causing losses worth millions of euros. These continuing attacks have raised serious questions over the cybersecurity of internet-connected industrial systems and essential health equipment.
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