The LockBit ransomware group, behind the cyberattack on an Ontario children's hospital, issued an apology and offered the decryptor to restore systems affected by the cybersecurity incident.

“We officially apologize for the attack on SickKids and are giving away the decryptor for free, the partner who attacked this hospital violated our rules, is blocked and is no longer part of our affiliate program,” the group said on Saturday. .

Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) has announced that it is aware of the statement posted online by the ransomware group. "We have engaged our third-party experts to validate and evaluate the use of the decryptor," the hospital said in a statement, adding that restoration efforts are ongoing and progressing well.

“There is no evidence to date that personal information or personal health information has been impacted. SickKids has not made any ransomware payments,” the institution added.

According to the hospital, the cyberattack it suffered on December 18 would have delayed laboratory and imaging results causing longer wait times, but also cut some telephone lines.

As of January 1, SickKids had already restored more than 60% of priority systems.