In this episode*, Hannah Green speaks to Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, Lt Gen KCB CBE, Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, Fergus Hay, Co-Founder and CEO of The Hacking Games, and Carl Tillett, Data Management Lead and a gamer from BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, about how esports can help defence and national security sectors connect with new audiences.Ā
Sir Tom and Fergus explain why, as geopolitical tensions mount and warfare changes rapidly, evolving the way we find, attract and train talent is vital for closing digital skills gaps. Sharing key learnings from conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, they look at the important role of esports in developing the cyber and digital skills essential for modern warfare. In addition, Carl talks about his own experiences growing up as a gamer, looking at how the skills he learned ā from technical to collaborative capabilities ā set him up for success in his career today.
Tune in for an insightful discussion on a range of themes, including how gaming in defence has changed over centuries, the importance of meeting people where they are, key ethical considerations, and why communicating defenceās purpose is vital for inspiring new talent pools.Ā
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Learn more about the International Defence Esports Games, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Defence which will see military personnel from over 40 nations compete to sharpen their cyber and digital skills. Read about it here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-launches-military-esports-games-to-boost-cyber-skills
* The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not represent or reflect the official policy, position, or endorsement of BAE Systems. BAE Systems accepts no responsibility or liability for any statements made during this recording.