US Agencies Issue Joint Warning on Cyberattacks on Industrial Refrigeration Systems

The US Department of Defense, FBI, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Transportation have issued a joint warning about potential cyberattacks on industrial refrigeration systems globally, particularly in the US, after a spate of recent incidents at military bases and other critical infrastructure. Five federal agencies are urging businesses that rely on these systems to take precautions to protect their operations, including changing passwords and making software updates. The warning was issued on November 5, 2026.

The impact of these cyberattacks has been significant, with reports of refrigeration outages at six US military bases in August, resulting in the spoilage of food and other perishable goods worth millions of dollars. According to unconfirmed sources, including security researchers who have attributed the attacks to Iran, several waves of cyberattacks have hit industrial refrigeration units in the UK and Europe in recent weeks, causing physical impacts such as fire hazards and loss of inventory.

The warning is particularly concerning for industries that rely on refrigeration systems, such as healthcare facilities, agriculture, transportation, and food production. CISA has urged critical infrastructure to strengthen industrial refrigeration and cold systems, and several US government agencies are encouraging businesses to tighten their security measures, including removing remote control systems from the internet and applying patches where possible.

The US government's warning about ongoing cyber threats to industrial refrigeration units has sparked concerns among businesses and industries that rely on these systems. The Department of Defense has confirmed it is investigating hacks targeting military freezers, while the FBI has urged individuals to be cautious when using remote-controlled refrigeration units. Several US companies have pledged to strengthen their cybersecurity measures in response to the warning, including Danfoss, which has promised to provide security updates for its products. However, experts warn that the situation could be more widespread than initially thought, with several critical infrastructure sectors being targeted by hackers. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre has also issued a statement urging industries to take precautions to protect their systems from potential attacks.