6 November, 2026

This week, a new string of cyberattacks reached the cold aisle, targeting supermarket fridges and freezers in the UK, with reports of freezers being set to defrost or get increasingly colder. They follow on from similar attacks last month in Europe that affected hundreds of supermarkets and reportedly spoiled millions of euros’ worth of food, and exposed vulnerabilities across the food system.

According to cyber-security experts, the attacks were not particularly sophisticated. Hackers exploited vulnerabilities in internet-connected systems and outdated software. But fixing these weaknesses is not so straightforward: much of the food supply chain relies on old equipment, maintained by external vendors that can be difficult to update. And to make matters worse, AI could compound the challenge by helping attackers identify and exploit vulnerabilities faster, giving companies less time to respond. The attacks are the latest warning that we need to invest in our technology to ensure that systems we rely on are updated and renewed.

While the UK escaped, cyber attacks can be added to a growing list of pressures that have exposed cracks in the food system. Behind full supermarket shelves is a complex network of logistics, technology and a small number of big retailers. Climate change is increasing the risks from droughts and floods, rising energy and fertiliser costs are squeezing production, and geopolitical disruption is creating trade bottlenecks.

The lesson extends beyond food. As organisations become more dependent on interconnected technology, resilience means understanding what critical systems they rely on and investing to keep them secure, updated and fit for purpose.

By Rosie Serlin