Hackers provide cyber attack decryption key.
The Government says the HSE's network cannot just be unlocked and turned back on.
Assessments are being carried out on a decryption key obtained by the State to check it is safe and works, before it can be used.
It's understood the hackers provided the key, but Government says no ransom was paid and they didn't engage directly with the criminals.
An unusual turn of events, though not unprecedented: HSE offered tool to unlock its files and systems
— Conor Lally (@conormlally) May 20, 2021
Cyber gang provides decryption tool to unlock HSE systems
https://t.co/X824L9TzJV
Minister of State for Public Procurement and eGovernment, Ossian Smyth says there's still a risk that the data will be published.
Cyber security expert Brian Honan, the chief executive of BH Consulting, says the code isn't the solution to the problem.
A solicitor who claims he has received "floods of calls" from clients concerned about their medical data being published says he's astounded by comments made by the Health Minister.
Minister Stephen Donnelly said some firms were "licking their lips" at the thoughts of suing the State over the HSE cyber attack.
O'Dowd Solicitors in Cork published a blog post that said anyone who had delayed treatment as a result of the attack should fill out their details and the law firm would contact them in due course.
Solicitor Michael O'Dowd says he disagrees with the Minister's point of view.
The decryption key for the HSE cyber-attack is undergoing a detailed assessment to determine whether it's safe to use.
The Government, on Friday afternoon has again insisted no ransom was paid to the cyber criminals who hacked into the health service's network last week.
Kacey O'Riordan reports:
Dr David Nabarro, from the World Health Organisation, says the cyber-attack is very concerning during the battle against Covid-19.
Cyber experts, speaking on Friday afternoon, say the HSE could recover from the cyber attack within weeks after getting a decryption key.
Paul O’Donoghue explains how this works.

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