The Hacking Games

We’re teaming up with Co-op to prevent cybercrime before it happens 🫸 With an expected cost of £12 trillion globally this year, millions of cybersecurity roles unfilled, and 69% of European kids having already committed some form of cyber‑mischief online, we're on a mission to show young people that their curiosity and gaming skills can power real careers in cybersecurity. The initiative starts with funding independent research led by Professor Jonathan Lusthaus of University of Oxford, to help understand the root cause of young people turning to cybercrime. The findings will inform learning and education modules across 38 Co-op Academy schools, combined with The Hacking Games extensive knowledge of unconventional talent and how it maps to career paths. We’re proud to stand alongside Shirine Khoury-Haq and the Co‑op team on this initiative that will create opportunities, guidance, and real change for young people. 🔗 Learn more about our mission: https://lnkd.in/dE-SyEJa

The Hacking Games’ "Behavioural Scoring and Aptitude Mapping" was presented this week at the 5th CSE Connect Conference at the University of Warwick.   Led by our President of Ethical Hacking John Madelin in his academic capacity with the University of Roehampton and CSE Connect, the workshop introduced the evidence base behind our unique framework — connecting behaviours in gaming, modding, and cyber competitions to real-world aptitude for cyber defence.    We’re especially proud that this research has been developed with the support of CSE Connect, and is now being applied in our Hacking Aptitude platform — turning insight into impact. A huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to this journey, across academia, industry, and government, helping shape a new approach to spotting talent others overlook.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an invitation-only event from The Hacking Games. Led by Fergus Hay and Daan Dia, it was powerful, and brought together industry experts, ethical hackers, students, and changemakers to tackle today’s most urgent cyber threats. It was especially eye-opening to hear from BBC’s Cyber Correspondent, Joe Tidy, who spoke candidly about his new book, the recent ransomware attacks on M&S, the Co-op, and Harrods, and the shocking arrests of several youths on the same day. In this short video (brilliantly captured and edited by Jeremiah Dighomanor, one of my interns through the IN Security Movement), I share: - My mission to build secure, inclusive digital futures - 5 practical tips to improve your cyber hygiene today - Why empowering the next generation is critical to the future of cybersecurity The energy at this event was electric — and this is just the beginning. ▶️ Watch the video now and then tell me. What’s YOUR top cybersecurity tip? Drop it in the comments — let’s learn from each other. #CyberSecurity #TheHackingGames #DigitalFutures #INSecurity #CyberAwareness #CyberHygiene #WomenInCyber #YouthInCyber #CyberResilience #InclusionInTech

The story of our partnership with Co-op is making waves, and for good reason 👇 69% of cyber criminals start before the age of 18. Too many young people don’t see a way into cybersecurity, or don’t realise their talents can be used for good. Gamers, unconventional thinkers, neurodivergent minds... The very skills that power creativity and problem‑solving online are often overlooked — or worse, drawn down the wrong path. Instead of accepting that reality, we’re working with Co‑op to do something about it: ✅ Identifying young people with raw cyber skills ✅ Guiding them through mentorship and education ✅ Opening real pathways into ethical cybersecurity careers Thank you to everyone helping us build the next generation of ethical hackers. This is only the beginning. 🔗 Learn more about our mission: https://lnkd.in/d7k2DAPM #TheHackingGames #Partnership #EthicalHacking #FutureOfWork #CyberTalent #Cybercrime #GenZ #GenZTalent

What if the next ransomware mastermind is just a 14-year-old gamer looking for a challenge? We believe mentorship and access can turn that curiosity into a career in cybersecurity. 💡 In the wake of the recent cyberattack it experienced, Co-op is partnering with The Hacking Games to help prevent cybercrime by identifying young, unconventional cyber talent, and connecting it with an industry in urgent need of new minds. Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CEO of Co-op, said: "Our partnership with The Hacking Games lets us reach talented people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work." Fergus Hay, Co-founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, added: “Many young people don’t see a path into the cybersecurity industry, or simply don’t realise their skills can be used for good. This partnership with Co-op will help unlock that potential.” 🔗 Learn more about the initiative: https://lnkd.in/dBAe9KfZ 💬 Want to contribute? Join our Discord where gamers, aspiring cyber talents, practitioners, and mentors connect and help shape the next generation of ethical hackers: https://lnkd.in/eGrPdisK #TheHackingGames #Cybersecurity #Cybercrime #GenZ #GenZtalent #EthicalHacking #FutureOfWork #Partnership #CyberSecurityCareers #Mentorship

What if we could spot cyber talent *before* they go rogue? The Hacking Games is proud to announce a new partnership with Co-op, tackling one of the fastest‑growing threats of our time: talented young minds being drawn into cybercrime, instead of guided into cybersecurity careers. 👉 The mission: Identify young gamers and cyber talent early and channel their skills into meaningful careers. 👉 Why: Globally, cybercrime is expected to cost £12 trillion this year, yet 4.8 million cybersecurity roles remain unfilled. 👉 How: Combining Co‑op’s community expertise and nationwide network with our knowledge of unconventional talent mapped to real opportunities. Together, we are proving that curiosity, creativity, and gaming skills can become forces for good. 🔗 Learn more about the initiative: https://lnkd.in/dBAe9KfZ #TheHackingGames #Partnership #CybersecurityCareers #EthicalHacking #FutureOfWork #GenZ #GenZTalent #Cybersecurity

Big news today!

What if we could spot cyber talent *before* they go rogue? The Hacking Games is proud to announce a new partnership with Co-op, tackling one of the fastest‑growing threats of our time: talented young minds being drawn into cybercrime, instead of guided into cybersecurity careers. 👉 The mission: Identify young gamers and cyber talent early and channel their skills into meaningful careers. 👉 Why: Globally, cybercrime is expected to cost £12 trillion this year, yet 4.8 million cybersecurity roles remain unfilled. 👉 How: Combining Co‑op’s community expertise and nationwide network with our knowledge of unconventional talent mapped to real opportunities. Together, we are proving that curiosity, creativity, and gaming skills can become forces for good. 🔗 Learn more about the initiative: https://lnkd.in/dBAe9KfZ #TheHackingGames #Partnership #CybersecurityCareers #EthicalHacking #FutureOfWork #GenZ #GenZTalent #Cybersecurity

Last night, The Hacking Games hosted a landmark event in London. We were joined by the BBC News Cyber Correspondent, Joe Tidy, who spoke about the rise of youth cybercrime and the launch of his new book, 'Ctrl Alt Chaos'. We had hacker-insights from the incredible Chris Kubecka, and one of the instigators of fighting youth cybercrime in the UK, Gregory Francis, who spoke about the scale of the problem. On the heels of the recent Scattered Spider arrests, the outlook might seem bleak, but the message was clear. Teenagers and young adults are increasingly turning to cybercrime, and the nature of these crimes is growing darker. But we were joined by a hopeful, vibrant community of 80+ cybersecurity professionals, investors, collaborators, young hackers, and friends who are all aligned with The Hacking Games’ vision. The room was buzzing with energy, coming together to provide a different path and an enriching community to guide young cyber talent into careers. The real change starts now, and it starts at The Hacking Games.

In the wake of the teenage arrests for cybercrimes against Marks and Spencer, Co-op, and Harrods our CEO Fergus Hay was quoted in Metro.co.uk and CityAM, speaking on the rising wave of teenage cybercrime and why the current system is failing to stop it. We’re not dealing with a lack of cyber talent. We’re dealing with a failure to recognise where it’s coming from, and how early it begins. These kids aren’t waiting for university. They’re teaching themselves, testing limits, and getting recruited by the wrong side. At The Hacking Games, we’re choosing intervention.