In the wake of its recent cyber attack, Co-op has announced a strategic partnership with The Hacking Games, a UK-based social impact business, which aims to prevent future cyber crime by identifying young cyber talent and channelling their skills to create a generation of “ethical hackers.”

Creating a positive career path for cyber talent

Cyber crime is expected to cost £12trillion globally this year, while rising numbers of younger people are engaging in online offences; an estimated 69% of European teenagers have now committed some form of cyber crime.

But, despite the growing risk, cybersecurity roles are going unfilled. Insight from ISC2, the membership body representing cybersecurity professionals, suggests 4.8million cybersecurity roles remain vacant globally.

“There is an incredible amount of cyber talent out there – but many young people don’t see a path into the industry, or simply don’t realise their skills can be used for good,” Fergus Hay, Co-Founder & CEO of The Hacking Games, said.

A proactive, long-term response to cyber threats

The partnership between Co-op and The Hacking Games aims to address the cybersecurity recruitment gap, helping to prevent future cyber crime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use.

The move is part of Co-op’s long-term response to its own cyber attack, after it admitted 6.5million customers had their data stolen in a hack in April. It will combine Co-op’s store reach and community expertise, including 38 Co-op Academy schools and their 6.5million member base, with The Hacking Games’ extensive knowledge and expertise in cybercrime.

“We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cyber crime,” said Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO of Co-op. “We can’t just stand back and hope it doesn’t happen again – to us or to others.”

“Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open paths into ethical work.”

Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO, Co-op

“This partnership with Co-op will help unlock potential, giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer,” said Hay.

The Hacking Games works across the UK to identify cyber talent and raise awareness of careers in cybersecurity, often through simulated ‘capture the flag’ arenas that mimic real-world ethical hacking environments. The partnership with Co-op builds on this model to explore how those experiences can be brought into schools and communities, with a specific focus on prevention, early intervention and awareness raising.