The Hacking Games

Join The Hacking Games, in partnership with Opal Group, for an event taking place on 11th March in NYC. We’ll be joined by leading figures in cybersecurity: - Chris Wysopal: US-renowned ethical hacker who testified at Senate on the threat to national security. He is also the founder of Veracode, which he sold for $2.5bn. - Special Agent Will McKeen, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): who leads the US Prevent programme to stop kids becoming cyber criminals. - Bia.Sci.Lab: founder of Girls Who Hack at just 11 years old. Now aged 18, she is the most influential young hacker in the world and founder of the Hacking Games youth hacker community. Event Schedule: 6pm arrival, 6:30pm presentation, 7pm drinks & networking Venue: 10th Floor, 7 World Trade Center, New York City Spaces are limited. Please RSVP to noah.bergman@thg-v.com to reserve your spot.

Last week, we announced that we’re heading to South Korea with the UK Ministry of Defence for DCM4. Listen to our Co-Founder & CEO, Fergus Hay, as he shares his thoughts on this experience and what it means for the future of cybersecurity.

We're excited to welcome John Madelin to our team as the President of the Ethical Hacking Incubator. John brings a wealth of experience to the role. He's focused on building the world's leading educational talent development team for Gen Z ethical hackers. Welcome aboard, John 🚀

Gen Z isn’t just looking for a job. They’re looking for purpose. LinkedIn’s “Itchy Feet” campaign (https://lnkd.in/epDnp6Fv) highlights a truth about the next generation of workers: they expect movement, impact, and alignment with their values. For cybersecurity, the stakes are even higher. The world isn’t short on cyber threats, but short on cyber talent. Yet millions of young people with the aptitude to be world-class security professionals aren’t entering the field. Not because they don’t have skills, but because the hiring system doesn’t recognise them. The old model - certifications, linear career paths, rigid job descriptions - excludes unconventional talent. Meanwhile, Gen Z expects access, opportunity, and a way in that fits their reality. This is why The Hacking Games exists. •⁠ ⁠We find talent where others don’t look. Gaming, hacking challenges, online communities. •⁠ ⁠We match them to opportunities based on what they can actually do, not just what’s on their CV.

A special shout-out to the mums of the next generation of hackers - the 4:30 am coffee is worth it! You can catch Marco Liberale's speech on AI Ethics at #AISA here: https://lnkd.in/ehNi2bpR 

UK’s Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced a historic increase in Britain’s defence spending, pledging to raise it to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – the biggest boost since the Cold War. Starmer argues that this is a “generational challenge” that requires a broad, unified response from everyone – not just the armed forces, but businesses, institutions, and everyday people, too. It’s all about recognising that national security is something we all share responsibility for, especially when everyday cyberattacks, like scams and data breaches, are becoming just as serious (if not more) than traditional threats. To effectively tackle the challenges of our age, we need to understand that modern defence isn’t just about conventional military dangers. The truth is that the battlefield is no longer just physical; it’s digital, and Britain must be prepared. Starmer promised that by the NATO summit in June, the UK will release a single National Security Strategy. It’ll be interesting to see how much focus is placed on cybersecurity. https://lnkd.in/eg_wR85c

We’re heading to South Korea this week with the UK Ministry of Defence for DCM4! We'll be observing cyber war games simulations and explore how we can use this model to encourage more young people to get into ethical hacking Please get in touch if you'd like to find out more about this initiative

We thought it was time for a 2025 Hacking Games Update 🗞️ We’re making rapid progress, assembling a world-class team, advancing our product development, and building partnerships that will drive impact. We've got exciting media, cool events, and opportunities to get involved, so check it out below! Together, we are going to create a generation of ethical hackers to make the world safer.

“I think we've got an opportunity to really change things, change how we use computers, and I couldn't turn that down" Toby Brown is part of a growing wave of cyber industry talent. At just 16, he has secured £1 million in funding for his AI-powered cybersecurity platform, Beem. His story is a familiar one in the cybersecurity world - self-taught, community-driven, and built on real-world experience rather than traditional credentials. The next generation of security talent isn’t learning from textbooks; instead, they are gaining knowledge in open-source communities, Discord servers, and ethical hacking competitions. When asked whether Beem was aiming for world domination, Toby joked, “world domination, but not the evil kind.” Tongue-in-cheek, perhaps, but for many young cybersecurity professionals, that distinction matters. Hacking still carries a stigma, and bridging the gap between curiosity and career remains a challenge. The industry is changing, but the real question is: who is paying attention? Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eMFbiVjy

We're delighted to welcome Holly to our Virtue community! 🎉 Holly is a cybersecurity expert and advocate for neuroinclusion, with a background in military cyber warfare and technical recruitment. As a Global Ambassador for the UK at the Global Council for Responsible AI, she champions the ethical integration of AI in cybersecurity and digital transformation. She is also the Head of Neurodiversity Consulting & Cyber Research at Stott and May Consulting, where she supports clients with comprehensive neurodiversity training and awareness programmes. We're proud to have you on board, Holly! 🚀 #TheHackingGames #VirtueCommunity