New initiative to deter cyber criminals and prevent hacking at Co-op stores
RETAIL chain the Co-op has announced a strategic new partnership with The Hacking Games to help prevent further cybercrime from impacting on businesses.
Following on from the Co-op own cyber-attack, the retail chain has now partnered up with the business to help identify a new generation of cyber-talented workers and channel their skills into more positive and ethical careers.
Globally, cybercrime is expected to cost up to £12trillion this year, says the Co-op, with 69% of European teenagers having committed some form of cybercrime or online offence.
The initiative is part of the Co-op’s response to its own cyber-attack as the partnership with combine the retail group’s presence in every postcode across the UK with community expertise from The Hacking Games.
The Hacking Games is looking to tackle the challenge of cybercrime head-on, whilst also providing opportunities for young people to pursue careers in cybersecurity by connecting the cybersecurity industry with “unconventional talent”.
The programme will focus on the prevention of cybercrime by creating better access to opportunities for young people which also matches the Co-op’s own approach to tackling causes of harm in society at the root.
The partnership begins with an independent study at the University of Oxford which will help to inform future prevention strategies, including a planned pilot within Co-op Academies Trust, which supported 20,000 students across 38 schools.
Eventually, the partnership hopes to co-develop a longer-term programme with the potential to expand to the wider UK education system and inspire pathways into more ethical cyber careers for young people.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, group chief executive at the Co-op, 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 members expect us to find a cooperative means of tackling the cause, not just the symptom.
“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.
“When we expand opportunity we reduce risk, while having a positive impact on society.”
Fergus Hay, co-founder and chief executive at The Hacking Games, 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 the world safer.”
