Speaking at the International Conference on Cybersecurity at Fordham University, UK and EU police officers outlined the new campaign, which aims to encourage young first-time cybercrime offenders to use their expertise for good.

It’s hoped these teen hackers can be turned from malicious to ethical hacking, also known as white hat hacking.

The pilot, “Hack_Right” targets young teen hackers between 12 and 23 years of age to educate them about the consequences of illegal cyber activity, but also about the possible career paths their talents could take them on if they chose to become an ethical hacker.

More than 400 youngsters in the UK have benefited from this form of intervention since the scheme’s launch a year ago.

According to officials, teen hackers often develop their digital skills in an attempt to impress their peers, and do not realise that their actions are criminal – with many simply failing to understand the social context which makes these activities illegal. Therefore, the scheme takes a preventative approach to intervene before they find themselves in serious trouble.

Floor Jansen, an adviser to the Dutch National High Crime Unit, said that there is an “over-representation” of those with autistic traits in teen cybercrime offenders, who, on average, were aged 19 years old, and the recidivism rate is relatively low compared to other crimes.

Gregory Francis, acting national prevent lead at the National Cyber Crime Unit of the National Crime Agency, said: “We do this … to get out and find them and get them into computing clubs before we have to investigate someone and lock them up. [Cybercrime] is not a law enforcement problem. It’s a societal problem.”

Those eligible for the scheme must be first-time offenders and who are willing to change their behaviour. When police identify a teen suspected of conducting illegal activities, rather than threaten them with criminal action they will instead approach them to see if they will confess. If they admit their wrongdoing, the teen will be made to undergo up to 20 hours of ethical computer training.

Upon completion of the scheme, the teens will be rewarded by being connected to cybersecurity professionals who can discuss with them potential career paths. As well as helping to steer these youngsters away from crime and from potentially wasting their talent, the scheme can also help address the large gaps in recruitment.

With an ever-growing need to fill an increasing number of digital roles, this scheme could help bolster the talent pipeline.

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