Plan Your Event
Plan a KC7 event from request to event day, covering format, logistics, promotion, and the full prep timeline.
Planning takes a few hours spread over two to three weeks, from request to event day. You handle the logistics and the encouragement while the platform teaches the cybersecurity.
Already approved and need setup steps? Skip to Pre-event setup.
Before You Begin
You need a rough date, an estimated headcount, and a sense of in-person or virtual. Nothing has to be final.
Submit the Request
Submit the form at kc7cyber.com/gameon. It takes about two minutes, and approval lands within 1-2 days. The quick start covers the full process.
Pick a Format
Settle these while you wait for approval.
In-Person or Virtual
Strength
High energy, easier facilitation
Flexible scheduling, no venue
Needs
Room, WiFi, power, projection
Video platform, screen sharing
Best for
Schools, training rooms, community spaces
Distributed teams, larger groups
The In-person guide and Virtual guide cover each in depth.
Duration
Good for tight class periods, taster sessions, intros.
Format: 5 min welcome, 35 min investigation, 5 min wrap-up.
Most participants finish 3-6 questions. Frame it as first exposure. Tell them they can keep going later.
Good for first-time hosts, classroom periods, lunch-and-learns.
Format: 10 min welcome and setup, 70 min investigation, 10 min debrief.
Most won't finish all questions. Emphasize discovery over competition.
Good for after-school programs, professional development, community workshops, team building.
Format: 15 min welcome, 10 min teams and setup, 2.5 hours investigation with breaks, 15 min winners and wrap-up.
Many participants complete the module. Expect natural collaboration.
Good for hackathons, training intensives, summer camps, conferences.
Format: 30 min welcome and team building, 3-4 hours investigation, 1 hour lunch, 2-3 hours continued play or a new module, 30 min awards and reflection.
Plan for multiple modules and deeper skill development.
Sample agendas: 90-minute workshop, 3-hour competition, half-day intensive
90-minute workshop
0-5 min
Welcome and introductions
Keep it brief, build energy
10-15 min
Account setup and first login
Circulate to help
15-75 min
Investigation time
Roam and encourage, don't solve
75-85 min
Share discoveries
Ask "What surprised you?"
85-90 min
Next steps and resources
Leave them wanting more
3-hour competition
0-10 min
Registration and mingling
Background music helps
10-20 min
Welcome and rules
Cover scoring, teams, prizes
20-30 min
Team formation
Mix skill levels, name tags
30-45 min
Setup and first questions
Make sure all teams are progressing
45-135 min
Core investigation
10-min break around the 90-minute mark
135-145 min
Final submissions
Build excitement
145-165 min
Winner announcements
Celebrate everyone, not just winners
165-180 min
Debrief and networking
Connect to real-world work
Half-day intensive
0-30 min
Welcome and team building
Icebreakers, collaborative tone
30-60 min
KC7 training and orientation
Deeper cyber concepts
60-180 min
Module 1
Focus on fundamentals
180-240 min
Lunch and networking
Let teams bond
240-360 min
Module 2 or advanced
For teams who finished
360-390 min
Presentations and awards
Teams share findings
390-420 min
Reflection and next steps
Career pathways
Individual or Team Play
Individual play suits classroom assessments, self-paced learning, large events, and mixed skill levels. Logistics stay simple and progress tracks per person.
Team play (2-4 people) suits corporate team building, social events, and skill sharing. You get peer learning and a closer simulation of real security work.
Even in individual events, people help each other informally. That's fine.
Scoring Posture
Hide the scoreboard at first, reveal it near the end, emphasize participation, and award creativity and teamwork. Good for educational settings and beginners.
Display the live scoreboard, announce leaders periodically, offer real prizes, and consider playoff rounds for top teams. Good for hackathons and corporate events.
Share interesting findings publicly, cross-pollinate discoveries between teams, award group achievements, and focus on collective learning. Good for community events and workshops.
Plan Logistics
Test everything from the actual venue at least a week ahead so event day stays calm.
Venue
Seat everyone comfortably with 10-15% extra space, clear sightlines to the screen, aisle room for hosts to circulate, and accessible seating near doors and facilities.
Essential
Recommended. Backup internet (mobile hotspot), extra power strips, a whiteboard, and lighting that works for both screens and notes.
Essential
Recommended. Recording (with consent), chat, breakout rooms for team events, co-host permissions for volunteers, and a waiting room.
Technical Setup
Most technical surprises come from networks you didn't test. Visit the venue, connect to the actual network, load a practice game on multiple devices, and run the projector and audio with your laptop. School and corporate firewalls sometimes block cloud services, so confirm access ahead of time. Full specs live in Technical requirements.
For the opening and closing, use a large screen or projector with a tested HDMI connection and audio for the intro videos. If the projector fails, screen-share to participant devices. A second display for the live scoreboard is a nice optional touch.
Materials
KC7 runs in a browser, so you don't need printed handouts. Hosts need the dashboard login, the participant link ready to display, the host scripts, and the troubleshooting guide handy. Optional: name tags, certificates, prizes, snacks for longer events, and a sign-in sheet.
Staffing
Solo hosting works for 15 or fewer. Complete "A Scandal in Valdoria" yourself first, then focus on encouragement and light troubleshooting during the event. For larger groups, helpers free you up. They don't need cybersecurity expertise.
Team hosting roles for 16+ participants
Lead host
1
Opening and closing, overall coordination, time management, final scoreboard review
Registration support
1 per 25
Welcome arrivals, help with account creation, distribute materials, answer general questions
Technical support
1 per 15-20
Troubleshoot browser and connection issues, help stuck participants find hints, report patterns to lead host
Roaming encouragers
1 per 20-30
Circulate, offer moral support, identify who might need technical help, maintain positive energy
Have all volunteers complete the game module in advance. Brief them together on roles and common issues so you don't have everyone helping the same person.
Registration
Start small (10-20) for your first event and scale up as you gain experience. Plan for a 10-20% no-show rate and send reminders to reduce it. If demand exceeds capacity, run multiple sessions. Tell participants what to bring (a laptop and a browser) in the confirmation and reminders.
Accessibility
KC7's web platform supports screen readers, adjustable fonts, and closed captions on intro videos. Your job is the physical and social environment: an accessible venue and restrooms, reserved seating near facilities, clear pathways, extra time for those who need it, a quieter space for reduced stimulation, and permission to work with a partner.
Tell participants they can work at their own pace and don't need to finish all challenges. The learning happens throughout.
Backup Plans
If this fails, do that
WiFi
Mobile hotspot tested in advance, guest network credentials, IT contact ready, postponement plan for total outage
Projector
Screen-share to participant devices, fall back to printed materials, use a laptop display as a last resort with small groups
Platform
Contact KC7 support (events@kc7cyber.com), check Discord, have an alternative activity ready
Lower attendance
Proceed anyway. Five participants still have a great experience and get more attention.
Higher attendance
Add seating, split into multiple sessions, recruit spontaneous volunteers, manage expectations on personalized support
Host can't attend
Identify a co-host or backup in advance, share materials, prepare a participant communication plan
Promote Your Event
Two to three weeks of outreach with a few reminders fills most events. Match the message to the audience, and lead with "no experience needed" and the time commitment.
Channels. School email, Discord, Instagram, classroom announcements, student org partnerships.
Messages. "Learn by doing, not lectures." "No experience required." "Real skills for your resume."
Channels. Company email, LinkedIn, professional Slack channels, department meetings.
Messages. "Practical cybersecurity training." "Team collaboration exercise." "Real-world scenarios."
Channels. Community newsletters, social media groups, local organization partnerships, word of mouth.
Messages. "Accessible to all backgrounds." "Build digital literacy." "Fun community event."
Have answers ready for the objections you'll hear most:
"I don't have cybersecurity experience"
"Perfect. This is designed for beginners. No prerequisites."
"I'm not good with technology"
"If you can browse the web, you can play KC7."
"I don't have time"
"90 minutes to 3 hours. Less than a movie."
"What if I don't finish?"
"No pressure. Learning happens throughout. Many people don't finish and still have a great time."
Ready-made invitation emails, social posts, and registration fields are in Templates and materials.
Set up After Approval
Save the approval email. It has your host dashboard link, participant link, and dashboard access, each described in the quick start. Walk through both links as a participant before sharing them.
Prepare in the Final Week
Test your setup from the actual venue or platform about a week out.
In-person: confirm WiFi handles the group, screens display web content clearly, and there are enough power outlets.
Virtual: test screen sharing, video, and audio.
A few days before, send participants the participant link and note they need only a computer and a browser.
Full Prep Timeline
Every milestone, from request to follow-up
2+ weeks before
1-2 weeks before
2-3 days before
Day of
After the event
Optional Extras
Print certificates from the templates
Offer small prizes for varied achievements, not just first place
Plan a brief celebration at the end
KC7 already awards digital badges on completion.
Next Steps
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