The Co-op has today announced a new partnership with The Hacking Games, an internet security business, to help prevent cybercrime following their recent cyber-attack.
The new initiative plans to educate young people on how use their cyber skills positively and create new career avenues in technology.
The partnership aims to prevent cybercrime before it starts by supporting young people to put their skills to good use.
According to the Co-op, 69% of European teenagers have committed a form of online offence, while 4.8 million cybersecurity roles remain unfilled globally.
Due to this, the group feel that there is a need to engage Gen Z and inspire them to pursue careers in cybersecurity, rather than causing disruption.
The new partnership will combine Co-op’s 6.5 million member base and 38 Co-op Academy schools with The Hacking Games’ knowledge of cybercrime.
The Hacking Games works by identifying cyber talent in the UK and then demonstrating the positive opportunities available in cybersecurity.
This is often through simulated ‘capture the flag’ arenas that mimic real-world ethical hacking environments.
Co-op chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq said: “We know first-hand what it feels like to be targeted by cybercrime. The disruption it causes, the pressure it puts on colleagues, and the impact it has on the people and communities we serve.
“At 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 real paths into ethical work.”
The new idea will begin with an independent research study led by Professor Lusthaus from the University of Oxford, a leading expert on cybercrime and hacking.
The Hacking Games chief executive Fergus Hay said: “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. This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential.
“It’s about giving people the opportunity to do something positive, showing that their talents are valued and creating a generation of ethical hackers to make world safer.”
Security minister Dan Jarvis said: “Cybercrime destroys lives. The criminals carrying out these acts put the public and the economy at risk, and that’s why we’re continuing to take the decisive action necessary to keep UK jobs and businesses safe.
“With just over four in 10 businesses reported having experienced any kind of cyber security breach or attack in the last 12 months, it is vital we inspire the next generation of cyber experts to detect, disrupt, and tackle cybercrime, and to support our economy to grow, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
“Combatting this issue will take a whole-of-society approach and we applaud all efforts to ensure that young people are diverted away from illicit behaviour online.”
Cyber offender prevention consultant Greg Francis said: “Unlike their offline counterparts, young people entering cybercrime receive little to no deterrents and are often left to self-police their online activities.
“There’s a vital role for stakeholders – from parents and educators to search engines, gaming platforms and the cybersecurity industry – to embrace their digital responsibility and help young people make informed choices.”
In the future, the partnership hopes to develop a longer-term program, with potential to expand into the UK education system and run targeted student and parent cybersecurity training.
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