Cyberattack Targeted French Blood Bank Refrigeration Systems; No Plasma Was Compromised
Summary
A cyberattack raised temperature and defrosting thresholds at three French blood-bank storage sites. Monitoring systems detected the changes, and the French Blood Establishment said no blood products or samples were compromised.
Key points
- The French Blood Establishment said temperature and defrosting thresholds were raised at three plasma cold-storage sites on Monday.
- Monitoring systems detected the changes, allowing staff to secure or transfer stored plasma before any products or samples were compromised.
- Le Canard Enchaîné reported that the attack attempted to raise temperatures from about -30 C to as high as 110 C.
- The refrigeration-equipment supplier, Coolworld, said the reported vulnerability involved a component from a third-party supplier and that it was taking measures.
- France’s national cybersecurity agency and Health Ministry are investigating; the EFS said collection and distribution operations continued uninterrupted.
Article Details
- Victim Organization
- French Blood Establishment (EFS)
- Incident Type
- Cyberattack attempting to raise temperature and defrosting thresholds at refrigeration equipment serving three EFS plasma cold-storage sites
- Operational Impact
- Monitoring systems detected the issue and staff acted in time. EFS reported that no blood products or samples were compromised or lost, and blood collection and distribution continued uninterrupted.
- Ransom Or Extortion
- None reported
- Claim Status
- confirmed