# Federal Agencies Warn of Refrigeration Cyberattacks

A joint federal advisory issued November 5 warns grocery retailers, cold-storage operators, refrigerated-transportation providers, and military commissaries that attackers are targeting internet-connected refrigeration controls and cold-chain monitoring systems. Failures affected roughly six military commissaries, and incidents were reported internationally; potential consequences include spoiled inventory, equipment damage, fire hazards, unsafe products, and operational disruption. The advisory identifies no solicitation or contract, but it signals demand for operational-technology security services and equipment improvements.

- Operators are advised to remove refrigeration controls from the public internet, secure necessary remote access, segment these systems from business networks, replace default passwords, patch supported equipment, and retire unsupported devices. The grocery-sector advisory also identifies multifactor authentication, firmware updates, monitoring, and resilience planning as relevant measures.
- Contractors can position OT security assessments, secure remote-access solutions, network segmentation, vulnerability remediation, and monitoring services for refrigeration-dependent facilities and cold-chain operators.
- Because the guidance is advisory and no specific procurement is identified, businesses should treat it as a market signal rather than a stated contract opportunity or a new mandatory requirement.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Cybersecurity
**Published:** November 10, 2026

### Government Entities
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

### Key Quotes
> Every organization that depends on refrigeration and monitoring systems should assume it could be a target.
> — Chris Butera, CISA Acting Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity

### Sources
- [US agencies warn of refrigeration hacks amid suspected attacks on military bases - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2026/11/cisa-updates-cyber-reporting-form-broader-incident-mandate-awaits-approval/417130) - Nextgov/FCW
- [US agencies warn of refrigeration hacks amid suspected attacks on military bases - Nextgov/FCW](https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2026/11/congress-returns-slew-cyber-deadlines-and-unfinished-ai-safety-bills/417123) - Nextgov/FCW
- [U.S. agencies warn grocers of cyber threats to refrigeration systems](https://massmarketretailers.com/u-s-agencies-warn-grocers-of-cyber-threats-to-refrigeration-systems) - Mass Market Retailers