Sebastien Vachon$-$Desjardins, a Canadian individual labeled a "sophisticated cyberterrorist" by an Ontario judge, has recently admitted guilt in a string of NetWalker ransomware attacks on $17$ Canadian entities. This acknowledgment encompasses participation in extortion resulting in almost $$3$ million in losses and drawing in millions more through cryptocurrency transactions.

The case stands as one of Canada's most substantial cybercrime instances, involving data theft from various sectors$$education$,$ healthcare, government, and commerce. Judge G$.$ Paul Renwick, in a February $1$ ruling, described Vachon$-$Desjardins' actions as "extreme and significant," highlighting the monumental impact of the losses incurred.

Formerly employed in Canadian government IT$,$ Vachon$-$Desjardins showcased proficiency in breaching private computer networks, seizing control of their data, demanding ransom payments in bitcoin, and distributing data if the demands were unmet.

Judge Renwick emphasized Vachon$-$Desjardins' pivotal role in these offenses, aiding groups like NetWalker in enhancing their extortion techniques and concealing their gains. As a result, Vachon$-$Desjardins received a sentence of six years and eight months in a federal penitentiary.

Vachon$-$Desjardins' involvement with NetWalker, a cybercriminal group utilizing sophisticated ransomware, gained attention last year when the U$.$S$.$ Department of Justice pressed charges against him as part of an international investigation. Allegations stated illegal acquisition of over $$27\mathrm{.}6$ million by Vachon$-$Desjardins.

Ransomware, a malicious software, encrypts victim files, granting attackers control, and demanding payment in cryptocurrency for file restoration. NetWalker targeted several Canadian entities, including the College of Nurses of Ontario, a Canadian Tire store in B$.$C$.,$ and the Northwest Territories Power Corporation.

In a guilty plea before Judge Renwick, Vachon$-$Desjardins admitted victimizing $17$ Canadian entities between May $2020$ and January $2021.$ The judgment listed victims like C$$gep de St$-$F$$licien and the city of Montmagny, among others, to whom Renwick ordered restitution payments.

Canadian authorities detected Vachon$-$Desjardins' activities in August $2020$ following a tip from the U$.$S$.$ FBI. Utilizing IP addresses, email details, social media disclosures, and data from U$.$S$.$ authorities, Canadian investigators narrowed in on Vachon$-$Desjardins.

Upon searching his residence, authorities found $$640,040,$ and Vachon$-$Desjardins admitted to converting "ill$-$gotten cryptocurrency" into Canadian dollars through unlawful means. He confessed to handling over $1,200$ Bitcoins linked to NetWalker activities, with the RCMP seizing around $720$ Bitcoins, valued at approximately $$34\mathrm{.}5$ million.

Additionally, numerous devices seized contained roughly $20$ terabytes of data, leading to multiple warrant applications for searches and seizures overseen by Judge Renwick.

During confessions to the RCMP$,$ Vachon$-$Desjardins detailed criminal activities involving Canadian victims over two days in November $2021,$ significantly aiding law enforcement's case building. Renwick recognized Vachon$-$Desjardins' early guilty plea and apparent remorse as mitigating factors.

The subsequent steps for Vachon$-$Desjardins remain uncertain. Renwick's judgment leaves open considerations about the jurisdiction for serving the imprisonment sentence in relation to sentences in other jurisdictions.

Wendy Gillis, a Toronto$-$based reporter covering crime and policing for the Star, contributed to this report.