Hacking Games & Immersive partner to train cyber talent

The Hacking Games has entered into a partnership with Immersive as part of the latter's Cyber Million programme, aiming to address the global cybersecurity workforce gap and nurture ethical hacking talent.

The cybersecurity sector is confronting a labour shortage, with estimates suggesting over 4.8 million unfilled positions globally. The Hacking Games, through its new partnership with Immersive, aims to help address this gap by equipping the next generation with the practical skills needed to combat cybercrime, which is projected to cost USD $23.8 trillion by 2027.

Immersive, which provides training through cyber drills, practical exercises, and hands-on labs, is joining The Hacking Games' Virtu-os community. This community comprises founding partners dedicated to cultivating ethical hackers capable of responding to the growing cyber threats.

As part of this collaboration, Immersive will focus on enhancing The Hacking Games' efforts in training and placing future cybersecurity professionals by combining hands-on technical education with practical, challenge-based initiatives. The Hacking Games' various initiatives include Capture The Flag events, Bug Bounties, and other competitive cybersecurity challenges designed to identify and engage talent in non-traditional ways.

Fergus Hay, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at The Hacking Games, commented, "Our partnership with Immersive is a game-changer. By standing side by side with their innovative and robust training and exercising capabilities, we are setting new standards in the recruitment and development of cybersecurity talent."

Matching the mission of The Hacking Games, Immersive's Cyber Million programme prioritises a practical approach to recruitment. Candidates over the age of 16 can register, undertake curated exercises and labs tailored to real-world skill requirements, and, upon successful completion, apply for open roles with employment partners. The programme's structure allows participants to pursue the material at their own pace, making the initiative accessible to a broad demographic.

Kieran Rowley, Director of Community at Immersive, said, "Cybersecurity talent exists everywhere; it simply needs to be unlocked and nurtured. Our collaborative effort with The Hacking Games is a major step forward in making the cybersecurity profession more accessible and diverse."

The partnership also aims to reach and inspire the next generation through a range of formats and channels designed to attract candidates who may not have traditionally followed pathways into cybersecurity. This includes a specific emphasis on making the profession accessible to candidates from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of prior experience.

By joining the Virtu-os community, Immersive is part of a group of companies dedicated to shaping the development of cybersecurity expertise. The collaboration between The Hacking Games and Immersive underscores a shared effort to create flexible, practical routes into the sector and address ongoing challenges in cybersecurity recruitment and skills development.