Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions and answers about hosting KC7 events
Getting Started
Do I need cybersecurity expertise to host a KC7 event?
Not at all! KC7 is specifically designed so you can focus on creating a positive learning environment while the platform handles all the technical cybersecurity instruction. Many successful hosts come from education, HR, community organizing, or other non-technical backgrounds. Your enthusiasm and encouragement matter far more than technical knowledge.
How long does it take to get my event approved?
Most event requests are approved within 24-72 hours. We review each request to ensure we can provide the best possible experience for your group. While you wait, it's a great time to start planning your event logistics and inviting participants.
Can I run this in my classroom or as part of ongoing courses?
Absolutely! Many educators integrate KC7 into their curriculum. You can use it during class time, assign it as homework, or run it as a special enrichment activity. Since you automatically receive a full organizational account, you can easily run multiple sessions throughout a semester and track student progress over time.
About the Experience
How long does a typical KC7 event take?
"A Scandal in Valdoria" (the module included with all first events) typically takes 60-90 minutes to complete, though participants work at their own pace. Some finish faster, others need more time, and that's perfectly fine. We recommend scheduling about 2 hours total to allow for introductions, the investigation, and wrap-up discussion. The game automatically saves progress, so participants can take breaks if needed.
Do participants need any technical knowledge?
None whatsoever! KC7 modules are designed for complete beginners. Participants learn cybersecurity concepts through engaging storytelling and guided investigation. Everything they need to know is explained within the game itself. If they can use a web browser, they can play KC7.
How do participants sign up and join my event?
There's no advance sign-up needed! Simply share your participant link (the "Go Link" from your approval email) with your group before or during your event.
When participants visit the link, they'll automatically be connected to your event and can choose to either:
Create a full account with their email address (recommended) - this lets them save progress and return to finish later
Play as a guest - perfect for quick participation but progress isn't saved
The beauty of KC7 is that participants can join instantly when they arrive at your event - no pre-registration required. Just share the Go Link, and they're ready to start investigating within minutes!
Pro tip: While advance registration isn't required, you might want to collect RSVPs for planning purposes (room size, refreshments, etc.). But for the game itself, participants can join on the spot.
During Your Event
How can I monitor what participants are doing?
You have two great tools for tracking participant activity:
The Live Scoreboard shows real-time rankings, scores, and progress for all participants. This creates friendly competition and helps you identify who might need encouragement or assistance.
The Analytics Page provides detailed statistics showing which challenges are most difficult, overall success rates, and performance patterns. This helps you understand how your group is progressing and what concepts might need additional discussion.
Note that you can see progress and scores, but not individual answers, maintaining participant privacy while giving you useful insights.
What if participants get stuck or need help?
The game includes built-in hints for every challenge, so encourage participants to use the hint system first. If someone is really struggling, you have access to a complete answer key that can help you provide gentle guidance without giving away the solutions.
Remember that some struggle is part of the learning process! The goal isn't for everyone to finish quickly, but for everyone to learn something valuable about cybersecurity investigation.
Can participants work together in teams?
We encourage collaboration! While each person needs their own account to track individual progress, working in pairs or small groups often enhances the learning experience. Participants learn from each other's approaches and insights. Just make sure each person submits their own answers to get proper credit.
Expanding Your Program
Is KC7 suitable for experienced professionals too?
Definitely! While "A Scandal in Valdoria" is designed for beginners, we have more advanced modules that challenge experienced IT professionals and security analysts. Many companies use KC7 for team training and skill development across different experience levels.
Can I run additional events after my first one?
Yes! When you requested your first event, we automatically created a full organizational account (called a "tenant") for you. This includes your first classroom with your approved game, but you can easily add more games to that classroom or create entirely new classrooms for different groups.
We have a curated collection of excellent modules covering different cybersecurity topics and skill levels. You can explore and add new games anytime through your tenant dashboard, making it easy to build an ongoing cybersecurity education program.
After Your Event
What happens when my event ends?
Participants keep access to the game and can continue playing if they didn't finish during your scheduled time. You can view final scores and completion rates on your scoreboard and analytics pages whenever you need them.
Many hosts schedule a brief follow-up discussion to talk about what participants discovered and learned. Consider sharing the final scoreboard to celebrate everyone's achievements - not just the highest scorers, but also creative approaches and persistence!
How do I get help if I run into issues?
You have several support options:
Join our Discord community where other hosts and KC7 staff provide real-time assistance and share experiences. Many hosts find it helpful to connect with others who've run similar events.
Check our comprehensive troubleshooting guide for solutions to common technical issues.
Email our support team at [email protected] for specific questions about your event or account.
How can I continue to support KC7 after my event?
We love when hosts become KC7 ambassadors! Here are ways you can help grow the community:
Spread the Word
Share your event success on social media with #KC7Cyber
Write a blog post or LinkedIn article about your experience
Present at conferences or meetups about using KC7 for cybersecurity education
Tell other educators, trainers, and community organizers about the platform
Leave testimonials we can share with future hosts
Show Your Support
Visit our KC7 Swag Shop for t-shirts, stickers, and other gear
Sport KC7 merchandise at tech events and conferences
Gift KC7 swag to your top participants
Support Our Mission
Donate to KC7 to help us keep the platform free and accessible
Your contributions help us develop new modules, maintain infrastructure, and support more events worldwide
Consider corporate sponsorship if your organization wants to support cybersecurity education
Stay Engaged
Run more events with different groups
Join our Discord to mentor new hosts
Provide feedback on new features and modules
Share your innovative event ideas with the community
Every host who shares their experience helps more people discover cybersecurity through KC7. Thank you for being part of our mission!
Still Have Questions?
If you don't see your question answered here, we'd love to help! The quickest way to get answers is through our Discord community, where you can connect with experienced hosts and KC7 staff.
You can also explore our other resources:
Quick Start Guide for basic setup
Planning Your Event for comprehensive preparation
Technical Requirements for detailed tech specs
Troubleshooting Guide for common issues
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