Early domotics development

A few years ago, the home appliance industry saw a major breakthrough with the connection of modern comfort accessories to the network. Though the practical benefits were limited, the concept was labeled "domotics," leading to the rise of connected devices like refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens in Western homes.

Practical use in retail

Retailers found real value in the technology, particularly in supermarkets. Refrigerators are now remotely controlled via software, reducing the need for technicians to manually adjust temperatures on the store floor. This innovation improved efficiency and reduced labor costs.

Cyberattack on refrigerators

The night of October 11 to 12 saw a major cybersecurity incident when hackers took control of refrigerators in hundreds of stores. They set the temperature to 50 °C, causing significant damage and losses amounting to tens of millions of euros.

Expert reassurance and concerns

Antoine Hautin, a cybersecurity expert at Almond, was questioned by 20 minutes about the incident. He emphasized that, at least for now, there is no evidence that critical infrastructure like trains or military systems can be hacked as easily as supermarket refrigerators. However, he noted that the civilian sector has many vulnerable machines.

Expanding vulnerability

Hautin explained that it is entirely possible for hackers to disrupt systems like elevators or fire suppression systems in buildings. Any remotely controlled device that is connected to the internet can theoretically be targeted. Examples include ATMs, factory robots, hospital scanners, and electrical grids, all of which are part of the growing "smart" ecosystem.