Cyberattacks disrupt Coop stores in Italy

A suspected cyberattack has affected at least four Coop stores in Italy, including three in Catania and one in Palermo. The incident caused refrigeration systems to rise in temperature, leading to food waste.

Giuseppe Spadaro, general manager of the Radenza group, confirmed the attack targeted the remote control system for frozen-food counters. Coop Radenza's chief executive, Dan, Radenza, later verified the attack occurred but noted no further damage.

The National Cybersecurity Agency (Acn) reported incidents affecting a Tuscan company in the collective catering sector and a company in Emilia that produces frozen foods. Acn is urging companies to urgently check whether control and remote assistance systems used by food distribution chains are exposed on the Internet, as well as strengthening remote access via VPNs and multi factor authentication, reviewing privileged accounts and updating or replacing devices that are no longer supported by manufacturers.

Authorities are examining potential connections between the attacks in Italy and similar incidents in other European countries. A meeting is planned between the National Cybersecurity Agency, sector federations, and major retail companies.

The European Union has described the situation as 'highly worrying'. A previous cyberattack on French supermarkets on 12 October resulted in millions of euros in damages. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Palazzo Chigi has scheduled a meeting involving the National Cybersecurity Agency and intelligence agency heads to investigate the incidents, coordinated by Alfredo Mantovano, the undersecretary to the prime minister's office.