USA TODAY

The chief executive of a hospital in Los Angeles says he paid the equivalent of $17,000 in bitcoins to hackers who used malware to disable the facility's computer network, according to media reports.

Allen Stefanek, CEO of the 434-bed Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center, said in a statement that paying the ransom to the hackers was the fastest way for the hospital to regain control of its digital data, NBC Los Angeles reported.

"The malware locks systems by encrypting files and demanding ransom to obtain the decryption key. The quickest and most efficient way to restore our systems and administrative functions was to pay the ransom and obtain the decryption key," Stefanek said. "In the best in interest of restoring normal operations, we did this."

Hackers ramp up computer attacks that demand 'ransom'

The hospital first noticed problems with the computer system on Feb. 5. Full service of the system was restored Feb. 10.

The hackers initially demanded $3.4 million to restore the hospital's computer network but accepted the lower fee, the Associated Press reported.

Phil Lieberman, a cyber security expert, told the Los Angeles Times that while ransomware attacks are common, one targeting a medical instiution are not. "I have never heard of this kind of attack trying to shutdown a hospital. This puts lives at risk and it is sicking to see such an act," he said. "Health management systems are begin to tighten their security."