Cyberattacks Hit Cold Stores Across Multiple European Countries; Norwegian Seafood Companies Scramble to Check Frozen Facilities

In October and early November 2026, a number of refrigerated and frozen warehouses in several European countries were hit by cyberattacks. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has issued a reminder to all companies — including operators with freezing capacity in the aquaculture industry — to take such digital threats seriously. The Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) has raised the national cyber risk level to "high", the second-highest level below the maximum.

Runar Sivertsen, Strategy Director at SalMar, the world's second-largest Atlantic salmon producer, said: "We are aware of these recent incidents and treat the threat of cyberattacks with the utmost seriousness." SalMar owns several high-tech slaughtering and further-processing facilities equipped with cold stores. For security reasons, the company declined to disclose specific measures or how it manages risk, but Sivertsen stressed that IT and OT security have high priority at SalMar and are an area in which the company invests continuously.

Management at Nordland Fryseterminal in Bodø is likewise monitoring the threat. The company operates a 2,500-square-meter cold store in the area. Day-to-day manager Helge Ragnar Knudsen said: "Of course we take this seriously. We have contacted our SD system supplier and asked for feedback on the security status of our facility in this area." He admitted that the company had not previously considered hacker attacks on freezing and refrigerated warehouses in this way, "but we carry out inspections every day, checking temperature and everything else, so we basically keep close track of the cold store through temperature control and machine inspections." Like the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, he believes everyone should be alert to the risk of cyberattacks.

At Eidsneset outside Ålesund, Poseidon Frozen and Boreas Seafood are located next to each other. Henrik Hoff, day-to-day manager of both companies, said: "We have asked the relevant service suppliers to upgrade security measures and to follow up continuously. One of our facilities that could be affected has now been upgraded, giving us better protection against this type of attack." He explained that the company monitors both facilities and has multiple alarm systems that are triggered if anything unusual occurs. "If the temperature were suddenly raised, it would be discovered relatively quickly," and alarms are sent to several people. On the attackers, he said: "You never know how cunning these people will become."

Skude Fryseri in Karmøy in Rogaland County had not previously given particular priority to cyber threats against freezing and refrigerated facilities. Day-to-day manager Arne Harald Stensland describes himself as preferring "a piece of paper and a good pencil", but acknowledges that the company also operates online. "We are digital to a certain extent, but I don't think we would collapse if someone hacked us. Still, hackers could certainly block certain things, and our operations also depend on the network."

In response to the recent spate of hacker attacks, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority is urging all companies to review their own protective measures, rehearse contingency plans and seek assistance and guidance from the relevant professional bodies. Anders Thorheim, head of the authority's social security and emergency preparedness department, told iLaks recently: "This is a new reality we have to face. We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with the guidance on the National Security Authority's website, which lists a range of measures to reduce companies' digital vulnerability, as well as guidance on good security management."