Privacy Policy

Last Updated: March 15, 2025

At Sharktols, we take your privacy seriously. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you interact with our cybersecurity education platform. We believe transparency builds trust, so we've written this in plain language that actually makes sense.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

When you sign up for our programs or contact us, we collect:

  • Your name and email address for account creation and communication
  • Phone number when you request direct contact or consultation
  • Professional background information to tailor our educational content
  • Payment information processed securely through our payment providers
  • Messages and feedback you send through our contact forms

Automatically Collected Information

Our website automatically collects certain technical information to improve your experience:

  • IP address and general location data for security purposes
  • Browser type and device information to ensure compatibility
  • Pages visited and time spent to understand content preferences
  • Referring websites to track how you found us

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to provide and improve our cybersecurity education services:

  • Deliver educational content and program materials you've enrolled in
  • Send important updates about your courses and our platform
  • Respond to your questions and provide customer support
  • Process payments and manage your account securely
  • Improve our website functionality and user experience
  • Send occasional newsletters with cybersecurity insights (you can opt out anytime)
  • Comply with legal requirements and protect against fraud

We never sell your personal information to third parties. Your data is used solely to provide you with better cybersecurity education and support.

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Service Providers

We work with trusted third-party services to operate our platform effectively:

  • Payment processors for secure transaction handling
  • Email service providers for course communications
  • Cloud hosting services for secure data storage
  • Analytics tools to understand website performance

All service providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the specific services they provide to us.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law, such as responding to subpoenas, court orders, or legal processes. We'll notify you unless prohibited by law.

Data Security and Protection

As a cybersecurity education company, we practice what we teach. We implement comprehensive security measures:

  • SSL encryption for all data transmission between your browser and our servers
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Access controls limiting who can view your personal information
  • Secure backup systems with encrypted storage
  • Employee training on data protection and privacy practices
  • Incident response procedures for any potential security issues

While we implement strong security measures, no system is completely immune to threats. We continuously monitor and update our security practices to stay ahead of evolving risks.

Your Privacy Rights

Under applicable privacy laws, you have several rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Portability

You can request a copy of all personal information we have about you. We'll provide this in a commonly used format within 30 days.

Correction and Updates

If any information we have is incorrect or outdated, you can request corrections through your account settings or by contacting us directly.

Deletion Rights

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain legal and operational requirements. We may need to retain some information for legal compliance or legitimate business purposes.

Communication Preferences

You can opt out of marketing emails anytime using the unsubscribe link in our messages. Essential account and course communications will continue as needed for service delivery.

Data Retention

We retain your information only as long as necessary to provide our services and meet legal obligations:

  • Account information is kept while your account remains active
  • Course progress and certificates are retained for 7 years for verification purposes
  • Payment records are kept for tax and accounting requirements (typically 7 years)
  • Support communications are retained for 3 years to improve our services
  • Website usage data is anonymized after 2 years

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it according to our data retention schedule.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website:

Essential Cookies

These are necessary for basic website functionality, including login sessions and security features. You cannot opt out of these cookies.

Analytics Cookies

We use analytics tools to understand how visitors use our site and identify areas for improvement. This data is aggregated and anonymous.

Preference Cookies

These remember your settings and preferences to provide a more personalized experience during future visits.

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings, though disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

International Data Transfers

Our primary servers are located in the United States. If you access our services from outside the US, your information may be transferred to and processed in the United States.

We ensure appropriate safeguards are in place for international transfers, including:

  • Standard contractual clauses approved by relevant authorities
  • Adequacy decisions where applicable
  • Additional security measures for sensitive information

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy occasionally to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. When we make significant changes, we'll:

  • Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Send email notifications to active users about material changes
  • Post notice on our website highlighting key updates
  • Provide a summary of changes in plain language

Continued use of our services after policy updates indicates your acceptance of the revised terms. If you disagree with changes, you can close your account or contact us to discuss your concerns.

Children's Privacy

Our cybersecurity education platform is designed for adult learners and professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under 16 years of age.

If we discover we've inadvertently collected information from someone under 16, we'll promptly delete that information. Parents or guardians who believe we may have collected information from their child should contact us immediately.

Questions About Privacy?

We're here to help with any privacy-related questions or concerns.

Email: help@sharktols.com

Phone: +1 (571) 261-5397

Mail: 230 Marble St, West Rutland, VT 05777, United States

We typically respond to privacy inquiries within 2-3 business days.