Privacy Policy
At CognitFusion, we're straightforward about how we handle your information. This policy explains what data we collect when you use our financial modeling tools and resources, and what we do with it.
1 Information Collection and Australian Context
We operate under Australian privacy law, specifically the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles. This matters because it shapes how we approach data handling—with genuine accountability built into every process.
When you interact with our platform, we collect certain information. Some of it you give us directly (like when filling out forms), and some we gather automatically through your use of our services.
Personal Information You Provide
- Contact details including name, email address, and phone number when you reach out or register
- Professional information like job title and organization when relevant to your financial modeling needs
- Payment and billing information when purchasing our study materials or courses
- Communications you send us, including support requests and feedback
- Educational background and experience details if you're applying for advanced programs
Automatically Collected Data
Our systems log technical information about how you use our site. This includes your IP address, browser type, pages visited, and time spent on different sections. We use this to understand which resources are most helpful and where people might be getting stuck.
2 How We Actually Use Your Data
Let me be clear about what happens with your information. We're not in the business of selling data or creating elaborate user profiles for marketing purposes. Here's what we actually do:
Purpose | What This Means |
---|---|
Service Delivery | Providing access to course materials, processing enrollments, and responding to your inquiries |
Platform Improvement | Analyzing usage patterns to enhance content and fix issues that users encounter |
Communication | Sending course updates, responding to questions, and sharing relevant educational resources |
Legal Compliance | Meeting Australian regulatory requirements and maintaining proper business records |
We keep communications focused on what you've signed up for. If you register for a financial modeling course, you'll hear about that course and related materials. You won't suddenly get emails about unrelated topics.
3 Data Storage and Security Measures
Your information lives on secure servers located in Australia. We've implemented standard security protocols including encryption, regular security audits, and restricted access controls. Only team members who genuinely need access to perform their work can view personal information.
While we take security seriously and implement industry-standard protections, no system is completely immune to breaches. We monitor for unusual activity and have incident response procedures ready, but we can't guarantee absolute security—no one honestly can.
Our Security Approach
- SSL encryption for all data transmitted between your browser and our servers
- Regular software updates and security patches applied promptly
- Limited employee access based on specific role requirements
- Secure payment processing through established third-party providers who maintain PCI compliance
- Regular backups stored in geographically separate locations
4 Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
We work with a handful of third-party services that help us run the platform effectively. These include payment processors, email delivery services, and analytics tools. Each service only receives the specific data needed for their function.
For example, our payment processor needs your billing information to handle transactions, but they don't need to know what course materials you're accessing. We don't share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.
When We Might Share Information
- With service providers who help us operate the platform, under strict confidentiality agreements
- When required by Australian law or valid legal processes
- To protect the safety and rights of our users, staff, or the public
- In the event of a business transition, with advance notice to affected users
5 Your Rights Under Australian Privacy Law
Australian privacy legislation gives you specific rights regarding your personal information. These aren't just theoretical—we've built processes to actually honor these requests within reasonable timeframes.
Access and Correction
You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. If something's incorrect or outdated, you can ask us to fix it. We'll handle these requests within 30 days under normal circumstances.
Data Portability
Need your data in a format you can use elsewhere? We can provide your information in commonly used formats like CSV or PDF. This is particularly relevant for your course progress records and any content you've created on our platform.
Deletion Requests
You can ask us to delete your personal information, with some limitations. We need to keep certain records for legal and accounting purposes (typically for seven years in Australia), but we can delete or anonymize information that isn't subject to these requirements.
To exercise any of these rights, send a request to contact@cognitfusion.com. We'll verify your identity and process legitimate requests promptly. If we can't fulfill a request for legal reasons, we'll explain why.
6 Cookies and Tracking Technology
Our website uses cookies—small text files stored on your device. Most are essential for the site to function properly, like remembering you're logged in. Others help us understand how people use the platform.
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings. Keep in mind that blocking certain cookies might affect site functionality. For instance, you'd need to log in every time you visit if you block authentication cookies.
Types of Cookies We Use
- Essential cookies that enable basic site features like secure login and payment processing
- Functional cookies that remember your preferences and settings
- Analytics cookies that help us understand site usage patterns
7 Data Retention Periods
We keep your information only as long as needed for legitimate purposes. Different types of data have different retention periods based on legal requirements and practical necessity.
Data Type | Retention Period |
---|---|
Account Information | Duration of account activity plus 2 years |
Course Records | 7 years for educational compliance |
Payment Records | 7 years for tax and accounting requirements |
Analytics Data | 26 months, then anonymized |
Support Communications | 3 years unless ongoing inquiry |
After these periods, we either delete the data or anonymize it so it can no longer identify you. Some aggregated, anonymized data might be kept longer for research purposes.
8 International Data Transfers
While our primary operations and data storage are in Australia, some of our service providers operate globally. When your data moves outside Australia, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
For transfers to countries without equivalent privacy protections, we use standard contractual clauses approved under Australian privacy law. These create binding obligations on overseas recipients to protect your information to Australian standards.
9 Updates to This Policy
Privacy practices evolve, and so will this policy. When we make significant changes, we'll notify active users via email and post a notice on the website. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this page shows when the most recent changes took effect.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically, especially if you're concerned about specific privacy aspects. Material changes won't apply retroactively to data we collected under previous policies without your consent.
Privacy Questions or Concerns?
If something in this policy isn't clear, or if you have specific privacy concerns, reach out to us directly. We'd rather answer questions upfront than have you wondering about how your information is being handled.