The Co‑op has announced a partnership with The Hacking Games to deter cybercrime by reaching out to the next generation of ethical hackers.
The initiative aims to channel young digital talent into security roles and reduce the risk of future attacks, reflecting the rising focus on cybercrime prevention in the UK.
Ethical hacking workshops in schools
Under the new partnership, the Co‑op will leverage its community presence across the UK, including its 38 Co‑op Academy schools and 6.5 million members, to introduce young people to ethical hacking opportunities.
The collaboration includes an independent study at the University of Oxford to inform future cybercrime prevention strategies.
A pilot scheme will follow in Co‑op Academy schools, aiming to expand nationwide.
Promoting cybercrime prevention through early education
The programme seeks to intercept cybercrime at its roots by converting latent hacking skills into ethical cybersecurity careers.
Fergus Hay, co‑founder of The Hacking Games, said that many young individuals with cyber skills “don’t see a path into the industry” and this partnership “will help unlock that potential… creating a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer”.
For the Co‑op, this proactive approach goes beyond reacting to attacks and addresses the causes of cybercrime head‑on.
Industry backing and context
The partnership follows a recent cyber‑attack that affected Co‑op operations, highlighting vulnerabilities facing retailers.
Group CEO Shirine Khoury‑Haq stated: “Our partnership… lets us reach talented young people early, guide their skills toward protection rather than harm, and open real paths into ethical work”.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis also backed the approach, emphasising the importance of inspiring future cyber experts to “detect, disrupt, and tackle cybercrime”.
Cybersecurity background and next steps
Cybercrime is a growing threat in the UK and beyond. Around 4 in 10 UK businesses reported a cyber‑security breach within the past year.
The Oxford study and the educational pilot are intended to create structured pathways into cyber roles and strengthen cyber‑crime prevention at a national scale. If successful, the scheme hopes to extend into broader education systems and other sectors.
By focusing on early intervention and skills development, the Co‑op and The Hacking Games aim to turn the rising tide of cyber threats into a source of talent for safeguarding future digital infrastructure.
