With the cost of Cybercrime forecasted to be $23trn in 2027, and 80% of NYC Teens polled having tried hacking before they were 16 years old,  we are facing a generational crisis. With 12m unfilled jobs in Cybersecurity forecasted by 2027 there is a global labour deficit that makes the world less safe everyday. 

The Hacking Games will build, educate and recruit the ethical hacking workforce of the future to reduce the labour deficit, and are working with FBI, Intercop and Dutch Politie. It aims to inspire the next generation of ethical hackers through innovative research projects, mentorship, and entertainment. The panel will explore the ways in which Gen Z can be inspired to reframe hacking from a criminal activity to a creative and constructive pursuit. 

Fergus Hay, co-founder of The Hacking Games, and others in the team will share insights into the motivations and goals of the initiative. Inspired by real-world stories, such as that of a 13-year-old boy in England who accumulated $14 million through hacking, the panel will address the urgent need to shift the narrative around hacking. After all, Steve Jobs earned the seed capital to start Apple through hacking. We see hacking as a creative thinking mindset, and want kids to see hackers such as Steve Jobs, Mira Murati, and Tim Berners-Lee as role models to aspire to. 

We will discuss the terrifying reality that hacking leads to the loss of trillions of dollars for companies and governments, with many prolific hackers being youngsters. The panel will also highlight the societal disconnect where children, who wouldn't dream of shoplifting, are comfortable hijacking social media accounts or stealing digital assets in games. This behavior is exacerbated by the significant amount of time children spend online, with American children between the ages of 8 and 12 logging an average of five and a half hours a day on a device, and teenagers nearly nine hours. According to the FBI, online games are a large recruitment tool for bad actors looking to onboard kids into illegal hacking schemes. 

We will discuss the psychological aspects of teenage hacking and the importance of forming a moral compass. The panel will also feature insights on leveraging media and entertainment to reframe hacking positively. Highlighting projects like a feature-length documentary and a reality TV series modeled on competitive shows, the panel will showcase how ethical hacking can be used for good. 

The panel will also share their experiences and insights into the role of diversity and inclusion in fostering a robust and ethical cybersecurity workforce. 

Objective: To inspire and recruit the next generation of ethical hackers, transforming the perception of hacking from a criminal act to a positive, constructive force.

Using our Virtue network of some of the most renowned members of the cybersecurity industry, we plan to bridge this gap. The variety of skills and expertise at our disposal will help ensure Gen Z remain an asset, and not a cyber liability. On today's panel, we have esteemed members of law enforcement, cyber community specialists, and private sector help. It takes a village, and we're building the community that will ensure cybersecurity becomes a force for good.