Security experts are trying to retake control of the computer system as ransom negotiations continue.

The GIGN elite tactical force of the French gendarmerie is involved in negotiating with the hackers who targetted the Corbeill-Essonnes hospital 10 days ago.

The attack has blocked access to all medical imaging storage and patient admissions systems.

GIGN negotiators, who usually work on counter-terrorism and hostage release operations, have been communicating with the attackers via the Protonmail secure email service.

According to the Parisien newspaper, they have managed to talk down the ransom from $10 million to $1 million.

Even if the ransom has been negotiated down, the hospital will not pay.

"Even if they ask for 150,000 euros, we will not pay. That is the rule that has been established,” the president of the board of the hospital, Medhy Zeghouf, told Le Parisien.

But the negotiations buy time for investigators who are trying to locate the attackers and regain access to the data. ■