ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Behind the story: Hundreds of French supermarkets have suffered a cyberattack that caused refrigeration systems to heat up, spoiling food and producing losses potentially running into millions of euros.
The attack reportedly exploited ageing or outdated refrigeration control systems. Cybersecurity researchers have reported effects elsewhere in Europe, while a major Dutch retailer is investigating a separate incident.
We've recently explored vulnerabilities in energy supplies, food production and Just In Time supply chains. Now another dependency becomes visible: the software responsible for keeping food safe after it's been produced.
What happens when equipment is functioning, electricity is available and food is on the shelves — but the instructions controlling the equipment can no longer be trusted?
Today's SignsWatch examines food distribution, the hidden dependencies of modern retail and the distinction between efficiency and resilience.
The question: When we make essential infrastructure smarter, are we also making it easier to break?
