The operator of the Colonial Pipeline learned that it was in trouble at daybreak on May 7, when an employee found a ransom note from hackers on a control-room computer. By that night, the company’s chief executive officer came to a tough decision: he had to pay.Joseph Blout, CEO of Colonial Pipeline Co., informed The Wall Street Journal that he authorized the ransom payment of $4.4 million because executives were unsure how badly the cyberattack had breached the systems, and consequently, how long it would take to bring the pipeline back.Mr. Blount acknowledged publicly for the first time that the company had paid the ransom, stating that it was an option he felt he had to bring into play, given the circumstances involved in a shutdown of such critical energy infrastructure. The Colonial Pipeline provides roughly 45% of the fuel for the East Coast, according to the company.“I know that’s a highly controversial decision, “Mr. Blount stated in his initial public remarks since the crippling hack. “I didn’t make it lightly. I will admit that I wasn’t comfortable seeing money go out the door to people like this.”“But it was the right thing to do for the country,” he also noted.