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An innovative programme in Manchester is currently engaging young people, encouraging them to channel their advanced computer skills into positive avenues. This week, at a local sixth-form college, two former criminal hackers shared their personal experiences with students, vividly illustrating the severe consequences of online illegal activities. Their aim was to inspire talented teenagers to pursue ethical cybersecurity careers instead of engaging in criminal endeavours.

Conor Freeman, 26, and Ricky Handschumacher, 30, both previously served prison sentences for their involvement in a significant cryptocurrency theft, estimated at $2 million. Freeman, for example, was incarcerated for nearly three years starting in 2020. They described how they gradually became entangled in illicit online communities, often beginning through gaming and subsequently discovering dark web hacking forums. They admitted to having “fallen into” cybercrime, initially unaware of the opportunities to earn substantial legitimate income through ethical work.

The message they delivered to students was impactful: while cybercrime might appear attractive, its reality involves intricate online disputes and severe legal repercussions. Instead, they strongly urged the students to consider a different, more constructive path. This vital initiative receives support from the Co-op, a major retailer that itself experienced a serious cyber-attack last year. The Co-op has partnered with a startup known as The Hacking Games to facilitate this programme.

Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, highlighted a “100% overlap” between advanced gaming abilities and hacking skills. He explained that specific skills developed through gaming, particularly ‘modding’ – the process of creating software to modify video games – are directly transferable. These skills can be applied either to illicit hacking or, more positively, to a career in cybersecurity. The Hacking Games employs an AI-powered assessment to identify these highly skilled individuals, guiding them into roles where they can help companies detect vulnerabilities in their IT systems through ‘ethical hacking’, often referred to as ‘red teaming’.

Students attending the talk expressed considerable inspiration. Suheil, a 17-year-old, noted the clear message: computing offers excellent opportunities, but it is crucial to avoid actions that could jeopardise one’s future. Rob Elsey, the Co-op’s chief digital officer, underlined the programme’s objective: to help young people recognise that their digital expertise can be a force for good, actively protecting communities rather than being misused. The Co-op intends to extend these educational talks to its other school academies throughout the year.