KC7

Gamifying Cybersecurity: How KC7 Is Diversifying the Talent Pipeline

image of the KC7 game showing a cartoonized raccoon character learning cybersecurity in a developer environment.
We started this project with the belief that having diverse voices in the cybersecurity industry makes us stronger and helps us protect the things we care about. Microsoft and the broader cybersecurity community have recognized this and helped propel KC7 from just an idea to a tool that is changing lives.
Simeon Kakpovi, Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst

About KC7

KC7 is a gamified cybersecurity training platform created by a team of ambitious problem solvers including Simeon Kakpovi, Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst, and Greg Schloemer, Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst. KC7 was designed with a bold mission: to make cybersecurity education more accessible, engaging, and inclusive.

By turning complex cybersecurity concepts into immersive, real-world simulations, KC7 makes learning not only effective, but also fun. The platform uses real-world data and scenarios to teach critical skills, bridging the gap between theory and practical application.

But KC7 is more than just a training tool—it’s a movement to diversify the cybersecurity workforce. By offering free access and actively reaching underrepresented communities, particularly BIPOC students and individuals from marginalized backgrounds, KC7 is breaking down barriers and opening doors to careers in a field that desperately needs new voices and perspectives. Underscoring its significance, Ed Essey, Senior Director of Business Value shared, “It’s amazing how KC7 has helped students of all ages and backgrounds take up a career in cybersecurity.”

KC7 is a powerful reminder that innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating opportunities, empowering people, and reshaping the future of entire industries.

Learn more and try KC7 yourself at KC7Cyber.com

Journey

Read the full story here.

Team

Simeon Kakpovi, Greg Schloemer, Elwyn Pryce, Emily Carroll, Justin Carroll
Argy Major, Ayush Juyal, Chris Daniels, Diego Arostegui, Matthew Kennedy, Mina Abdelmalek, Parul Chaudhary, Scotty Puckett, Tam Trinh, Temante Leary