“This latest wave of attacks on supermarket refrigeration systems across Europe exposes a glaring vulnerability in connected retail infrastructure.

He urged retailers to prioritise firmware updates and remove unnecessary internet access to operational systems.

He also acknowledged that patching operational technology can be complicated, particularly where physical modifications or scheduled downtime are required.

He warned that compromised refrigeration equipment can create problems throughout the supply chain, affecting food safety, product availability and business continuity.

Yet only 23% identify technology disruption as a leading risk, and just 20% cite technology obsolescence.