The Institute for Security and Technology is committed to the privacy of those individuals who visit and interact with our site. This Privacy Policy is meant to help you understand what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you can update, retrieve, and request removal of your information.

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By visiting our Website, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Website.

Please note that the practices described in this Privacy Policy apply only to information gathered online at our Website and other websites owned or managed by IST. They do not apply to information that you may submit to us offline or to websites maintained by other companies or organizations to which we may link.

IST is the sole owner of the information collected on the Website. We do not share your personal information with companies, organizations, or individuals outside of the organization.

PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

Generally, you are free to visit the IST website without submitting data that identifies you personally. However, we do ask you to provide some personal data for certain interactions within our Website. This data varies depending on the interaction, but may include name,, email address, and other similar information (“Personal Information”). We do not request sensitive information such as social security numbers. If you make a donation online we do ask for your credit card number – but we do not store card numbers.

Cookies

Like many websites, we use “cookies,” which are small text files that are stored on your computer or equipment when you visit certain online pages that record your preferences. We use cookies to track use of our Websites and online services. We may also use cookies to monitor traffic, improve the Websites, and make it easier and/or relevant for your use. This Website is functional without the retention of cookies. You have the ability to accept or decline cookies. Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but, if you prefer, you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies.

WHEN WE COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION

Below are the ways in which we collect your Personal Information through specific actions and circumstances. By choosing to participate in any of the following activities, you consent to our collection and use of your Personal Information.

• When you sign up to receive email newsletters and email updates from us;
• When you complete an IST survey online;
• When you submit a donation online;
• When you register for and participate in our programs, activities, initiatives, and events;
• When you request information or assistance;
• In conjunction with your employment inquiries or applications, which includes but is not limited to open listings, internship opportunities or fellowships;
• When you participate with social media and peer to peer accounts involving the Institute for Security and Technology;
• When you participate in online communities;
• When you participate on our community forums on our websites;
• In conjunction with any verification of your account information;
• In conjunction with investigations into any activity that may violate the law or the website’s terms and conditions;
• When you communicate with us through the website;
• When you provide user-generated content on any part of the website that permits it; and
• In conjunction with any other place on the website where you knowingly volunteer personal information; and
• When you send us a donation by check or wire.

NON-IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

In addition, when you interact with the Website, our servers may keep an activity log that does not identify you individually (“Non-Personal Information”). Generally, we collect the following categories of Non-Personal Information:

• We may collect certain demographic data such as age, gender, and five-digit zip code as part of collecting personal information;
• We collect and store certain device information about your computer, mobile device, or other device that you use to access the Website. This information may include IP address, geolocation information, unique device identifiers, browser type, browser language, and other transactional information;
• We automatically log certain usage information about your use of the Website. This information includes a reading history of the pages you view. We use this information to provide you with a more customized experience on the Website;
• We collect and store additional “traffic data” such as time of access, date of access, software crash reports, session identification number, access times, and referring website addresses; and;
• We collect and store your search terms and search results.

Social media platforms

When you interact with any Institute for Security and Technology page or account on a social media platform, such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Medium, Reddit, and/or Twitch, we may also collect the personal information that you make publicly available to us on that page or through that account, including your account ID or “handle.” Please be advised that each social media platform may collect specific data not listed here, and the Institute for Security and Technology has no control over how third party platforms collect or use your personal information. Please refer to that platform’s privacy policy for additional guidance.

HOW WE USE YOUR DATA

We use the information we learn from you to help us personalize and continually improve your experience on the Website. With your consent we may use your Personal and Non-Personal Information in the following ways:

General Uses

• For editorial purposes;
• Responding to your inquiries;
• Communicating with you about your account or transactions (including donations) with us and sending you information about features on our Website or about the organization;
• Communicating with you about changes to our policies;
• Sending you newsletters, mailings, and information about programs, initiatives, activities, and events by e-mail or another medium;
• Processing your employment application;
• Event or program registration;
• Optimizing or improving our programs, services, and operations;
• Research and development;
• Detecting, investigating, and preventing activities that may violate our policies or be illegal;
• Advocating to decision makers on specific issues;
• Performing statistical, demographic, and marketing analyses of users of the Website and their usage patterns; and
• Managing our organization.

HOW WE PROTECT YOUR DATA

The Institute for Security and Technology intends to protect the quality and integrity of your personally identifiable information. We have implemented appropriate physical, technical, and organizational measures, including industry-standard encryption for transmission of credit card information, to help keep your information secure, accurate, current and complete.

If you have any concerns about the security and confidentiality of your Personal Information, please contact [email protected].