In a groundbreaking move that could significantly enhance digital safety for millions of people, Co-op has announced a strategic partnership with The Hacking Games, a UK-based social impact business. This collaboration represents a shift from reactive cybersecurity measures to proactive protection by identifying and nurturing young cyber talent for ethical careers.
The Safety Imperative
The partnership emerges from stark realities about digital safety: cybercrime is expected to cost £12 trillion globally this year, with 69% of European teenagers having committed some form of cybercrime or online offence. For Co-op, which recently experienced a cyber-attack firsthand, this initiative represents a fundamental approach to community protection – preventing cybercrime before it starts rather than simply defending against it.
The safety benefits of this approach are profound:
– Reduced attack surface: By converting potential cyber criminals into cyber defenders, the overall threat landscape becomes safer for everyone
– Enhanced community protection: Co-op’s 6.5 million members and the broader public benefit from having more skilled professionals protecting digital infrastructure
– Early intervention safety: Catching and redirecting young talent before they cause harm protects both potential victims and the young people themselves from legal consequences
Addressing the Protection Gap
The cybersecurity skills shortage poses a direct threat to digital safety. With tens of thousands of cybersecurity jobs vacant in the UK and 4.8 million unfilled roles globally, organisations struggle to adequately protect themselves and their customers. This partnership directly addresses this protection gap by:
– Creating pathways to safety careers: Inspiring Gen Z to pursue cybersecurity roles that protect rather than harm
– Leveraging neurodivergent talent: Recognising that autistic people are seven times more likely to thrive in structured problem-solving environments like cybersecurity
– Building resilience: Supporting better choices for those most at risk of exploitation by cyber criminals
The Human Safety Element
Beyond technical security, this initiative addresses human safety concerns. Co-op’s community-focused approach recognises that cyber attacks have real-world consequences for real people – from disrupted services to compromised personal data. By working through their 38 Co-op Academy schools and extensive community network, they’re creating a human-centred approach to digital safety.
The partnership acknowledges that prevention is the ultimate safety measure. Rather than waiting for cyber attacks to occur and then responding, this proactive approach aims to eliminate threats at their source by redirecting potential attackers toward protective roles.
Research-Led Safety Innovation
The initiative begins with independent research led by Professor Lusthaus of University of Oxford, a leading expert on the social dimensions of cybercrime. This research will inform evidence-based prevention strategies, ensuring that safety measures are grounded in solid understanding rather than assumptions.
The planned pilot within Co-op Academies Trust will support 20,000 students across 38 schools, with potential expansion to the wider UK education system. This comprehensive approach includes:
– Earlier engagement: Reaching young people before they make harmful choices
– Targeted training: Educating both students and parents about digital safety and ethical career paths
– Inspirational pathways: Showing how cyber skills can be used to protect rather than harm
Industry and Government Safety Commitment
The partnership has garnered support from key safety stakeholders. Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasised the critical safety implications: “Cybercrime destroys lives. The criminals carrying out these acts put the public and the economy at risk.” His support underscores the government’s recognition that this approach is essential for protecting UK jobs, businesses, and citizens.
Greg Francis, a cyber offender prevention consultant and former cybercrime investigator, highlighted the unique safety challenges of the digital age: “Unlike their offline counterparts, young people entering cybercrime receive little to no deterrents and are often left to self-police their online activities.”
Building a Safer Digital Future
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO of Co-op, framed the partnership in terms of community safety: “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.”
Her vision extends beyond Co-op’s immediate interests to broader societal safety: “When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.”
The Hacking Games’ Safety Mission
The Hacking Games works across the UK through simulated ‘capture the flag’ arenas that mimic real-world ethical hacking environments. This approach transforms potentially destructive skills into protective capabilities, creating a new generation of digital defenders.
Fergus Hay, Co-founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, emphasised the safety transformation potential: “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.”
Long-Term Safety Vision
This partnership represents more than a single initiative – it’s the foundation for a large-scale national movement toward digital safety. By combining Co-op’s community reach with The Hacking Games’ expertise, the collaboration aims to create sustainable change that makes the digital world safer for everyone.
The ultimate safety goal is ambitious yet achievable: creating a generation of ethical hackers who view their role as protecting rather than attacking, building digital resilience from the ground up, and ensuring that cyber skills serve community safety rather than individual exploitation.
In an era where digital safety affects every aspect of our lives, this partnership offers a hopeful model for how we can build a more secure digital future – not through walls and barriers, but through education, opportunity, and the transformation of potential threats into active protectors.