The UK cyber reservists are trolling for a few good hackers, who will be assessed on their skills and capabilities, rather than personality traits or past histories.

Lieutenant Colonel White, The new head of the Joint Cyber Reserve Unit, said: "If they could get through the security process, if they had the capability that we would like, and if the vetting authority was happy, then why not."

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said that "former hackers would be assessed on a case-by-case basis."

David Emm, senior security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, said that it was a risky strategy.

“The news that the UK Cyber Defence Unit is considering hiring convicted hackers has caused many people to voice their concerns about the ethical and security implications of employing those with a criminal past to protect the country’s most sensitive information. Those who have previously worked for the ‘dark side’ of the code-breaking fraternity are often motivated by money and misplaced ideals, and therefore expecting them to switch sides, and remain there is unrealistic.”

Emm added: “However, this development does highlight the problem of a skills shortage and the lack of talent outside the criminal community to tackle serious cyber-attacks facing the country. This is why it is so important to encourage the next generation to study, and become expert on, security-related issues so they can be the ones to fight sophisticated cyber-threats in the future.

"The government has recognised this and it is why it wants to make significant changes to the Computing element of the new National Curriculum: a move away from simply using the technology to understanding how it works.”

“As attempts to undermine governments and attack national infrastructure increasingly move online, it is imperative that the National defences are prepared to face these attacks head on, employing people with the necessary skills to block them.”