Terms of Service

NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY TRAINING ACADEMY

TERMS OF SERVICE, STUDENT AGREEMENT, AND LEGAL POLICIES

Version: 2.0

PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY

THIS TERMS OF SERVICE, STUDENT AGREEMENT, AND LEGAL POLICIES ("AGREEMENT") CONSTITUTES A LEGALLY BINDING CONTRACT BETWEEN YOU ("YOU," "YOUR," "USER," "STUDENT," OR "PARTICIPANT") AND THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY TRAINING ACADEMY ("NCSTA," "COMPANY," "WE," "US," OR "OUR").

By accessing, browsing, registering for, purchasing, enrolling in, downloading, viewing, or otherwise using any website, mobile application, learning management system, online course, certification program, examination, software, laboratory environment, educational content, digital resource, or any other service offered by NCSTA (collectively, the "Services"), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by this Agreement, our Privacy Policy, Refund Policy, Code of Conduct, Certification Policies, and any other policies incorporated herein by reference.

If you do not agree to these Terms, you are not authorized to access or use the Services and must immediately discontinue all use of the Services.

1. DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Academy" means the National Cyber Security Training Academy, including its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, instructors, contractors, licensors, representatives, and authorized agents.

"Account" means the registered student profile used to access NCSTA Services.

"Certification" means any certificate, credential, badge, transcript, designation, or digital credential issued by NCSTA upon successful completion of program requirements.

"Course Materials" means all educational content provided by NCSTA, including but not limited to:

Videos
Recorded lectures
Live instruction
Manuals
Student guides
Laboratory exercises
Virtual machines
Software
Source code
Documentation
Presentations
Quizzes
Exams
Images
Graphics
Logos
Worksheets
Downloadable files
Digital resources
Assessments
Practice tests
Books
eBooks
Whitepapers
AI-generated content
Any other educational materials.

"Platform" means all NCSTA-operated websites, portals, mobile applications, online learning systems, student dashboards, certification portals, examination systems, communication platforms, and related digital services.

"Services" means all products and services offered by NCSTA, including but not limited to:

Online courses
Live classes
Hybrid training
Certification programs
Boot camps
Webinars
Workshops
Conferences
Corporate training
Continuing education
Student support
Professional development
Educational consulting
Digital downloads
Memberships
Subscription services
Software
AI learning tools
Laboratories
Assessments

2. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS

By creating an Account, enrolling in a course, making a purchase, accessing any Course Materials, or otherwise using the Services, you represent and warrant that:

You have read this Agreement in its entirety.
You understand your rights and obligations.
You voluntarily agree to be legally bound by this Agreement.
You possess the legal authority to enter into this Agreement.
All information you provide to NCSTA is true, complete, and accurate.
You will comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and international laws and regulations while using the Services.

Your continued use of the Services constitutes ongoing acceptance of this Agreement, including any future amendments.

3. ELIGIBILITY

To use the Services, you represent and warrant that:

You are at least eighteen (18) years of age, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater; or
If you are under the applicable age of majority, you are using the Services only with the knowledge, consent, and supervision of a parent or legal guardian who agrees to be bound by this Agreement on your behalf.
You are legally permitted to purchase and access online educational services under the laws applicable to your jurisdiction.
You are not prohibited by any applicable law, regulation, court order, or governmental restriction from using the Services.

NCSTA reserves the right to request proof of age, identity, or authority to enroll at any time.

4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

NCSTA provides educational services to students located throughout the United States and internationally.

By enrolling in any NCSTA program, you acknowledge and agree that:

The Services are delivered primarily through electronic and internet-based platforms.
Course schedules, examinations, instructor availability, and support services may be provided across multiple time zones.
You are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with the laws, regulations, licensing requirements, and educational requirements applicable in your country, state, province, or jurisdiction.
NCSTA does not represent or warrant that any certification, course, credential, or educational program satisfies the licensing, accreditation, continuing education, employment, immigration, or regulatory requirements of any governmental authority or private employer outside the specific scope expressly stated by NCSTA.

International students are solely responsible for any customs duties, taxes, import restrictions, currency conversion fees, banking charges, or governmental fees associated with their purchase of the Services.

5. ELECTRONIC CONSENT

By using the Services, you consent to conduct business with NCSTA electronically.

You agree that electronic signatures, electronic records, electronic communications, electronic invoices, digital certificates, and electronically delivered agreements satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.

You further agree that:

Email communications constitute official communications.
Electronic acceptance of these Terms has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.
Electronic records maintained by NCSTA shall constitute admissible evidence of your acceptance of these Terms and your use of the Services, subject to applicable law.

6. MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT

NCSTA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, revise, update, supplement, or replace this Agreement at any time to reflect changes in applicable laws, regulations, business practices, educational offerings, technology, security requirements, or operational needs.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, revised Terms shall become effective upon posting on the Platform or upon providing notice through the Services.

Your continued access to or use of the Services after the effective date of any revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of the revised Agreement. If you do not agree to any modification, you must immediately discontinue use of the Services.

7. RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE

NCSTA reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to refuse enrollment, deny access to the Services, suspend or terminate any Account, or decline to provide any product, service, certification, or educational opportunity to any individual or organization, to the extent permitted by applicable law, including but not limited to circumstances involving fraud, abuse, academic misconduct, nonpayment, violation of this Agreement, security concerns, or other conduct that NCSTA reasonably determines is inconsistent with its mission, policies, or the integrity of its educational programs.

STUDENT ACCOUNTS, ENROLLMENT, COURSE ACCESS, AND DIGITAL SERVICES

8. ACCOUNT REGISTRATION

In order to access certain Services offered by NCSTA, you may be required to create a student account ("Account"). By registering for an Account, you represent and warrant that all information provided during the registration process is accurate, complete, current, and truthful.

You agree to promptly update your Account information whenever necessary to maintain its accuracy.

NCSTA reserves the right to verify any information submitted during registration and may suspend, restrict, or terminate any Account containing false, misleading, fraudulent, or incomplete information.

NCSTA may refuse registration to any individual or organization at its sole discretion to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

9. STUDENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION

NCSTA reserves the right to verify the identity of any student before granting or maintaining access to the Services.

Verification may include, but is not limited to:

Government-issued identification
Educational records
Professional licenses
Employer verification
Telephone verification
Email verification
Multi-factor authentication
Payment verification
Identity authentication through third-party verification providers

Failure to successfully complete any requested verification process may result in delayed enrollment, suspension of Services, cancellation of enrollment, denial of certification, or termination of your Account.

10. ACCOUNT SECURITY

You are solely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of your Account credentials, including your username, password, authentication codes, and any other login information.

You agree that you shall:

Keep your password confidential.
Use a strong password.
Not disclose your credentials to any other person.
Immediately notify NCSTA of any suspected unauthorized use of your Account.
Log out after using public or shared computers.

You accept full responsibility for all activities occurring under your Account regardless of whether such activities were authorized by you.

NCSTA shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or unauthorized activity resulting from your failure to adequately safeguard your login credentials.

11. MULTIPLE USERS PROHIBITED

Each student account is licensed exclusively to the individual who registered for the Services.

You may not:

Share your login credentials.
Allow another person to access your courses.
Permit another individual to complete coursework on your behalf.
Purchase one account for multiple users.
Transfer your Account without written authorization from NCSTA.

NCSTA reserves the right to monitor login activity, device identifiers, IP addresses, browser sessions, geographic locations, and other technical information for the purpose of detecting unauthorized Account sharing.

Violation of this Section may result in:

Immediate suspension
Permanent account termination
Revocation of certifications
Loss of course access without refund
Legal action where appropriate

12. ACCOUNT OWNERSHIP

All student Accounts remain the property of NCSTA.

Enrollment grants only a limited right to access the Services in accordance with this Agreement.

No student acquires ownership rights in any Account, course, certification, software, or digital platform through enrollment or payment.

13. COURSE ENROLLMENT

Enrollment in any NCSTA course constitutes a request to receive educational services.

NCSTA reserves the right to:

Accept or reject any enrollment.
Limit class sizes.
Establish prerequisites.
Require placement testing.
Cancel or reschedule courses.
Substitute instructors.
Modify course delivery methods.
Update course content.
Replace software platforms.
Modify examinations.

Enrollment is not guaranteed until payment has been successfully processed and accepted by NCSTA.

14. DIGITAL COURSE DELIVERY

NCSTA provides educational content primarily through electronic means.

Courses may be delivered using:

Learning Management Systems (LMS)
Video conferencing platforms
Recorded video instruction
Interactive laboratories
Cloud-based learning platforms
Mobile applications
Virtual machines
AI-powered learning tools
Digital textbooks
Downloadable resources

Students acknowledge that internet connectivity, hardware compatibility, browser support, operating systems, software updates, bandwidth limitations, and third-party service availability may affect access to the Services.

NCSTA does not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access.

15. LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LMS)

Students may receive access to one or more Learning Management Systems operated by NCSTA or licensed through third-party providers.

Use of any LMS shall be governed by:

These Terms of Service;
Applicable third-party platform terms, where required; and
Any course-specific policies communicated by NCSTA.

NCSTA reserves the right to change, replace, upgrade, migrate, or discontinue any LMS platform at any time without liability.

16. LIVE ONLINE TRAINING

Certain courses include instructor-led sessions conducted through virtual classrooms.

Students participating in live instruction agree:

To conduct themselves professionally.
To follow instructor directions.
To refrain from disruptive behavior.
To respect other students.
Not to record any session without prior written authorization from NCSTA.
Not to distribute recordings or screenshots.

NCSTA may record instructor-led sessions for educational, quality assurance, security, or training purposes.

By participating in live instruction, you consent to such recording where permitted by applicable law.

17. SELF-PACED COURSES

Most NCSTA courses are self-paced unless otherwise specified.

Students are responsible for:

Completing coursework.
Meeting certification requirements.
Reviewing course updates.
Maintaining access to compatible technology.
Managing their own study schedule.

NCSTA makes no guarantee regarding the amount of time required for successful completion.

18. COURSE MODIFICATIONS

Because cybersecurity and technology evolve rapidly, NCSTA reserves the right to modify any course at any time.

Modifications may include:

Updating curriculum
Revising videos
Adding new modules
Removing obsolete content
Updating software demonstrations
Revising laboratory exercises
Modifying examinations
Changing certification requirements
Correcting errors
Improving instructional materials

Such modifications shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement.

19. COURSE RETIREMENT

NCSTA reserves the right to discontinue, retire, replace, merge, rename, or permanently remove any course, certification program, or educational service.

Whenever reasonably practical, currently enrolled students may be provided with a reasonable period to complete the affected course before access expires.

NCSTA shall have no obligation to continue supporting retired courses indefinitely.

20. SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Certain courses require specific software, hardware, operating systems, cloud services, laboratory environments, or third-party applications.

Unless expressly stated otherwise:

Students are responsible for obtaining compatible equipment.
Students are responsible for maintaining internet access.
Students are responsible for software licensing fees.
Students are responsible for keeping their systems updated.

NCSTA is not responsible for technical issues caused by incompatible devices, unsupported operating systems, third-party software failures, or internet service interruptions.

21. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Each student agrees to:

Complete coursework honestly.
Follow instructor directions.
Respect intellectual property rights.
Protect confidential information.
Maintain professional conduct.
Use cybersecurity knowledge lawfully.
Report suspected security issues responsibly.
Comply with all NCSTA policies.

Students shall not interfere with the educational experience of other students or attempt to disrupt any NCSTA systems, websites, laboratories, examinations, or learning platforms.

22. ACCESSIBILITY

NCSTA is committed to making its educational services reasonably accessible to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Students requesting accommodations should contact NCSTA before or during enrollment and provide any documentation reasonably required to evaluate the request.

NCSTA will review accommodation requests individually and determine reasonable accommodations consistent with the essential requirements of the applicable course or certification program.

TUITION, PAYMENTS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, REFUNDS, AND FINANCIAL POLICIES

23. TUITION, FEES, AND PRICING

Enrollment in any NCSTA course, certification program, membership, subscription, examination, boot camp, workshop, corporate training, continuing education program, or other educational service constitutes your agreement to pay all applicable tuition, fees, and other charges associated with the selected Services.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing by NCSTA:

All prices are quoted in United States Dollars (USD).
Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time prior to purchase.
Published prices do not include applicable taxes, governmental fees, customs duties, currency conversion fees, payment processor fees (where applicable), or other charges imposed by third parties.
Promotional pricing, scholarships, discounts, coupon codes, military discounts, nonprofit pricing, educational discounts, and other special offers may be modified, suspended, or discontinued at any time without prior notice.

Except as expressly required by applicable law or stated in this Agreement, payment of tuition and fees does not convey ownership of any Course Materials, certifications, software, or intellectual property.

24. PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION

By submitting payment information to NCSTA or its authorized payment processor, you represent and warrant that:

You are the authorized holder of the payment method used.
The payment information provided is accurate and current.
You authorize NCSTA and its authorized payment processors to charge the applicable tuition, fees, taxes, recurring subscription charges, installment payments, and any other amounts due under this Agreement.
You authorize NCSTA to correct minor billing errors and to process adjustments, credits, or refunds where appropriate.

You are responsible for maintaining valid payment information throughout your enrollment.

25. PAYMENT METHODS

NCSTA may accept payment through one or more of the following methods, subject to availability:

Major credit cards
Debit cards
ACH or electronic bank transfers
PayPal
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Shop Pay
Corporate purchase orders (if approved)
Wire transfers
Other payment methods approved by NCSTA

Acceptance of a payment method does not obligate NCSTA to continue accepting that method in the future.

26. PAYMENT PLANS

NCSTA may, at its sole discretion, offer installment payment plans for certain educational programs.

Participation in a payment plan does not reduce your obligation to pay the full tuition amount.

Unless otherwise stated in a separate written agreement:

Each installment payment becomes due on the scheduled due date.
A short grace period may be provided at NCSTA's discretion.
Failure to make timely payments may result in suspension of course access, examinations, certifications, laboratory environments, student support, and other Services.
Students remain responsible for the full outstanding balance unless otherwise required by applicable law or expressly agreed by NCSTA.

NCSTA reserves the right to discontinue any payment plan option at any time for future enrollments.

27. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND AUTOMATIC RENEWALS

Certain Services may be offered on a recurring subscription basis.

By enrolling in a subscription-based Service, you authorize NCSTA or its payment processor to automatically charge the designated payment method at the beginning of each billing cycle unless the subscription is canceled in accordance with the applicable cancellation procedures.

Subscription pricing, benefits, and renewal terms will be disclosed at the time of purchase.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, cancellation of a subscription does not entitle you to a refund for the current billing period.

28. FAILED, DECLINED, OR LATE PAYMENTS

If any payment is declined, reversed, disputed, or otherwise fails for any reason, NCSTA may, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

Suspend your Account.
Restrict access to Course Materials.
Disable laboratory environments.
Withhold certificates, digital badges, transcripts, and certifications.
Cancel examinations.
Deny future enrollments.
Require payment by an alternate payment method.
Assess any fees permitted by law or charged by payment processors.

Repeated payment failures may result in permanent termination of your Account.

29. COLLECTION OF PAST-DUE ACCOUNTS

If your account becomes delinquent, NCSTA reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to pursue reasonable collection efforts, including:

Internal collection activities.
Referral to third-party collection agencies.
Recovery through legal proceedings.
Recovery of reasonable collection costs, court costs, attorneys' fees, and other expenses where permitted by law or provided for by contract.

Nothing in this section limits any other rights or remedies available to NCSTA.

30. TAXES AND GOVERNMENTAL FEES

You are solely responsible for any applicable:

Sales taxes.
Value Added Tax (VAT).
Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Use taxes.
Customs duties.
Import fees.
Withholding taxes.
Other governmental charges associated with your purchase or use of the Services.

NCSTA may collect taxes where required by applicable law.

31. INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS

Students located outside the United States acknowledge that:

Currency conversion rates are determined by financial institutions or payment processors.
International banking fees are the responsibility of the student.
NCSTA is not responsible for exchange rate fluctuations.
International wire transfer fees are the responsibility of the sender unless otherwise agreed.

32. REFUND POLICY

NCSTA strives to provide high-quality educational services and wants students to be satisfied with their enrollment.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law or expressly stated in writing for a specific course or promotion, the following refund policy applies:

A student may request a full refund within three (3) calendar days of the original purchase date, provided that the student has not completed the first chapter or module of the course and has not otherwise substantially accessed or used the purchased educational content.

Once the first chapter or module has been completed, or the course has been substantially accessed or used, the course is considered delivered and used, and the purchase becomes non-refundable, except where a refund is required by applicable law.

Refund requests must be submitted in writing to:

[email protected]

Refund requests received within the applicable refund period will be reviewed by NCSTA. If approved, refunds are generally processed within three (3) business days after approval. Processing times by banks, credit card issuers, or payment processors are outside NCSTA's control and may require additional time before funds appear in your account.

After the applicable refund period expires, all sales are final.

33. EFFECT OF REFUND

Upon issuance of a refund:

Access to all purchased Course Materials shall immediately terminate.
Any certificates, credentials, digital badges, transcripts, or certifications associated with the refunded purchase may be revoked or invalidated.
The student shall cease all use of the refunded Course Materials.
Any license granted under this Agreement with respect to the refunded Services shall automatically terminate.

NCSTA reserves all rights and remedies for unauthorized continued use of refunded materials.

34. CHARGEBACKS AND PAYMENT DISPUTES

Before initiating a chargeback or payment dispute with your financial institution, NCSTA requests that you contact its billing department to attempt to resolve the matter.

If a chargeback, payment dispute, or payment reversal is initiated:

NCSTA may suspend or terminate access to the Services during the investigation.
Certificates, credentials, and digital badges may be withheld or revoked.
The student remains responsible for any unpaid balance if the chargeback is resolved in favor of NCSTA.
NCSTA reserves the right to dispute chargebacks with supporting documentation.

Fraudulent or abusive chargebacks may result in permanent denial of future enrollment.

35. FRAUD PREVENTION

NCSTA reserves the right to investigate any transaction that appears suspicious or potentially fraudulent.

To protect students and NCSTA, the Academy may:

Delay enrollment pending verification.
Request additional identification.
Cancel transactions suspected of fraud.
Report suspected criminal activity to appropriate authorities where permitted or required by law.
Cooperate with financial institutions and law enforcement during fraud investigations.

NCSTA is not liable for delays resulting from fraud prevention measures.

36. SCHOLARSHIPS, PROMOTIONS, AND DISCOUNTS

Scholarships, promotional pricing, coupon codes, military discounts, nonprofit discounts, educational discounts, affiliate offers, and other promotional programs are subject to their specific terms and conditions.

Unless expressly stated otherwise:

Promotions have no cash value.
Promotions may not be combined.
Promotions may be modified or withdrawn at any time prior to redemption.
Discounts apply only to qualifying purchases.
NCSTA reserves the right to correct pricing errors.

37. NO PRICE GUARANTEE

NCSTA does not guarantee that any course, certification, subscription, or educational service will remain available at the same price.

Future promotions, discounts, or price reductions do not entitle previously enrolled students to refunds, credits, or price adjustments unless expressly stated by NCSTA.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT, ACADEMIC INTEGRITY, ETHICAL HACKING, AI USAGE, AND DISCIPLINARY POLICIES

38. STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The National Cyber Security Training Academy ("NCSTA") is committed to maintaining a professional, ethical, respectful, safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment for all students, instructors, employees, contractors, business partners, and visitors.

As a condition of enrollment and continued access to the Services, every student agrees to conduct themselves professionally and in accordance with this Agreement, all applicable laws, and all NCSTA policies.

Students shall not engage in any conduct that interferes with the educational experience of others or compromises the integrity, security, reputation, or operations of NCSTA.

39. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Students shall at all times:

Conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner.
Treat instructors, employees, contractors, guest speakers, and fellow students with courtesy and professionalism.
Comply with all instructions provided by NCSTA personnel.
Participate honestly in coursework, examinations, laboratories, discussions, and projects.
Respect differing opinions and viewpoints.
Maintain appropriate behavior during live classes, online discussions, forums, webinars, and communications.

Students are expected to represent themselves honestly and professionally while participating in any NCSTA activity.

40. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct is strictly prohibited while using the Services:

Harassing, threatening, intimidating, stalking, or abusing another person.
Discrimination based upon race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other classification protected by applicable law.
Posting obscene, defamatory, libelous, hateful, or unlawful material.
Using offensive, abusive, vulgar, or profane language directed toward others.
Disrupting live classes or instructional sessions.
Interfering with instructors or other students.
Impersonating another person or organization.
Providing false information.
Attempting to obtain unauthorized access to another student's account.
Uploading malicious software.
Distributing malware, ransomware, spyware, viruses, worms, trojans, or similar malicious code.
Interfering with NCSTA's computer systems or networks.
Circumventing security controls.
Attempting to disrupt or overload NCSTA systems.
Using bots, automated scripts, scraping tools, or unauthorized software to access the Platform.
Violating applicable laws or regulations.

Violation of this Section may result in immediate disciplinary action.

41. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic honesty is fundamental to the integrity of NCSTA's educational programs.

Students agree that all coursework, examinations, projects, laboratory assignments, written submissions, and certification requirements shall be completed honestly and in accordance with NCSTA's Academic Integrity Policy.

Students shall not engage in any form of academic dishonesty.

42. PROHIBITED ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

Cheating during examinations.
Copying another student's work.
Sharing examination questions or answers.
Using unauthorized materials during examinations.
Plagiarism.
Purchasing assignments.
Selling completed assignments.
Having another individual complete coursework.
Completing coursework for another student.
Unauthorized collaboration.
Submitting previously submitted work without authorization.
Falsifying laboratory results.
Altering grades or examination records.
Misrepresenting attendance or participation.
Misusing artificial intelligence in violation of Section 43.

NCSTA reserves the right to determine whether conduct constitutes academic misconduct based on the totality of the circumstances.

43. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) USAGE POLICY

NCSTA recognizes that artificial intelligence technologies, including generative AI systems, can be valuable educational tools when used responsibly and ethically.

Unless an instructor or course specifically prohibits or limits AI use, students may use AI-assisted technologies to support learning activities, including brainstorming, summarizing information, practicing concepts, drafting outlines, generating study materials, or improving writing.

However, students remain solely responsible for all work submitted in connection with NCSTA courses, examinations, laboratories, certifications, and assignments.

Students shall not:

Submit AI-generated work as entirely their own when originality is required.
Use AI to complete examinations unless expressly authorized.
Use AI to circumvent learning objectives.
Use AI to fabricate citations, research, evidence, or laboratory results.
Use AI to create malicious software or facilitate unlawful activities.
Use AI to violate copyright or intellectual property rights.
Use AI in any manner prohibited by an instructor or course-specific policy.

NCSTA reserves the right to require students to disclose the use of AI in assignments where appropriate.

44. PLAGIARISM POLICY

Students shall not present another person's words, ideas, research, computer code, graphics, videos, presentations, or other intellectual property as their own without appropriate attribution or authorization.

Plagiarism includes:

Copying text without proper attribution.
Copying code.
Copying AI-generated work without required disclosure.
Purchasing papers.
Copying internet content.
Using copyrighted materials without authorization.

Confirmed plagiarism may result in disciplinary action, including failure of assignments, course failure, suspension, revocation of certifications, or permanent dismissal from NCSTA.

45. EXAMINATION SECURITY

To preserve the integrity of NCSTA certifications, examinations may be monitored through one or more security measures, including:

Identity verification.
Online proctoring.
Live monitoring.
Browser security software.
Screen monitoring, where disclosed and permitted.
Video monitoring, where disclosed and permitted.
Activity logging.
Audit trails.
Examination analytics.

Students shall not attempt to interfere with examination security measures.

46. EXAMINATION MISCONDUCT

Students shall not:

Record examinations.
Photograph examination questions.
Share examination content.
Distribute examination answers.
Use unauthorized electronic devices.
Receive assistance from another person.
Allow another person to take an examination.
Attempt to access examination databases.
Circumvent proctoring systems.
Manipulate examination software.
Reverse engineer examination platforms.

NCSTA reserves the right to invalidate examination results obtained through misconduct.

47. ETHICAL HACKING POLICY

Because NCSTA provides education in cybersecurity, penetration testing, ethical hacking, digital forensics, artificial intelligence, cloud security, networking, malware analysis, and related disciplines, students acknowledge that the skills learned through the Services carry significant responsibility.

Students agree to use all knowledge, techniques, software, laboratory exercises, demonstrations, tools, scripts, and educational materials solely for lawful, ethical, and authorized purposes.

Nothing in any NCSTA course authorizes a student to access, test, scan, exploit, interfere with, monitor, or otherwise interact with any computer system, network, website, application, cloud environment, device, account, or data without the express authorization of the lawful owner or other applicable legal authority.

48. PROHIBITED CYBERSECURITY ACTIVITIES

Students shall not use knowledge obtained through NCSTA to engage in unlawful or unauthorized activities, including but not limited to:

Unauthorized access to computer systems.
Unauthorized penetration testing.
Password theft.
Credential harvesting.
Phishing campaigns.
Social engineering for unlawful purposes.
Malware development for malicious use.
Ransomware deployment.
Botnet activity.
Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.
Data theft.
Identity theft.
Financial fraud.
Cryptocurrency theft.
Wire fraud.
Unauthorized surveillance.
Extortion.
Cyberstalking.
Cyberbullying.
Intellectual property theft.
Circumvention of software licensing.
Any activity prohibited by applicable law.

NCSTA does not condone, encourage, authorize, or permit illegal cyber activity.

49. RESPONSIBLE SECURITY RESEARCH

NCSTA supports lawful and ethical cybersecurity research.

Students are encouraged to:

Obtain written authorization before conducting security testing.
Follow responsible disclosure practices.
Respect system owners.
Protect confidential information.
Report vulnerabilities responsibly.
Comply with all contractual and legal obligations.

Nothing in any NCSTA course shall be interpreted as legal authorization to perform security testing on systems you do not own or lack permission to assess.

50. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

NCSTA reserves the right, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by law, to investigate alleged violations of this Agreement and to take appropriate disciplinary action.

Disciplinary actions may include:

Verbal or written warnings.
Temporary suspension.
Permanent suspension.
Course removal.
Examination invalidation.
Grade reductions.
Failure of assignments.
Certification revocation.
Permanent account termination.
Denial of future enrollment.
Removal from live classes.
Reporting to licensing bodies, certification partners, employers (where contractually authorized), or law enforcement authorities when required or permitted by law.

Nothing in this Section limits any other rights or remedies available to NCSTA under this Agreement or applicable law.

51. REPORTING MISCONDUCT

Students are encouraged to report suspected violations of this Agreement, academic dishonesty, security vulnerabilities affecting the NCSTA Platform, harassment, discrimination, or other misconduct.

Reports should be submitted to the contact information designated by NCSTA for student conduct or support. NCSTA will review reported concerns in good faith and may investigate as appropriate. NCSTA cannot guarantee anonymity but will handle reports in accordance with its applicable privacy practices and legal obligations.

52. NO RETALIATION

NCSTA prohibits retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports suspected violations of this Agreement or participates in an investigation.

Individuals who knowingly submit false, malicious, or fraudulent reports may be subject to disciplinary action.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARKS, COURSE MATERIALS, DIGITAL CONTENT, USER LICENSE, AND DIGITAL RIGHTS

53. OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

All intellectual property rights associated with the National Cyber Security Training Academy ("NCSTA"), including but not limited to its websites, mobile applications, learning management systems, certification programs, educational content, course materials, software, trademarks, logos, trade names, service marks, graphics, images, videos, animations, examinations, laboratory environments, virtual machines, documentation, publications, manuals, databases, artificial intelligence content, digital resources, source code, object code, business methods, proprietary processes, and all other proprietary materials (collectively, the "Intellectual Property") are and shall remain the exclusive property of NCSTA or its respective licensors and are protected by the copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, and other intellectual property laws of the United States and applicable international treaties.

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as transferring any ownership rights in the Intellectual Property to any student or user.

54. OWNERSHIP OF COURSE MATERIALS

All course materials, including but not limited to:

Training videos
Recorded lectures
Live instruction
PowerPoint presentations
Laboratory exercises
Virtual laboratories
Software
Source code
AI-generated educational content
Course manuals
Student workbooks
Study guides
Practice examinations
Certification examinations
Quizzes
Homework assignments
Instructor notes
White papers
Books
eBooks
Worksheets
Templates
Graphics
Images
Audio recordings
Downloadable resources
Technical documentation
Learning paths
Assessment materials
Digital badges
Certification criteria
Research materials
Any other educational content

(collectively, the "Course Materials") are owned exclusively by NCSTA or its licensors.

Students acknowledge that enrollment in a course does not transfer ownership of any Course Materials.

55. LICENSED THIRD-PARTY CONTENT

NCSTA develops many of its educational programs internally. In addition, certain courses, videos, manuals, software, laboratory exercises, assessments, educational content, and other instructional materials offered through the Services may be purchased, licensed, sublicensed, or otherwise lawfully acquired from qualified professors, instructors, educational institutions, publishers, software developers, certification organizations, subject matter experts, or other authorized third-party content providers (collectively, the "Licensors").

All such licensed content remains the intellectual property of its respective owner and is used by NCSTA pursuant to applicable license agreements, purchase agreements, distribution rights, or other lawful authorizations.

Students acquire no ownership rights in any licensed content and agree to comply with all restrictions applicable to such materials.

56. LIMITED LICENSE TO STUDENTS

Subject to continued compliance with this Agreement and payment of all applicable fees, NCSTA grants each enrolled student a limited, personal, non-exclusive, revocable, non-transferable, non-sublicensable license to access and use the Course Materials solely for the student's own personal, non-commercial educational purposes.

This license does not constitute a sale of any Course Materials or Intellectual Property.

All rights not expressly granted are reserved by NCSTA and its licensors.

57. PROHIBITED USES OF COURSE MATERIALS

Except as expressly authorized in writing by NCSTA, students shall not:

Copy Course Materials.
Download unauthorized copies.
Reproduce materials.
Publish materials.
Sell materials.
Resell courses.
Rent materials.
Lease materials.
Distribute materials.
Upload materials to another website.
Mirror content.
Post videos on YouTube or other platforms.
Upload manuals to file-sharing websites.
Share course downloads.
Share examination questions.
Copy laboratory exercises.
Duplicate software.
Reverse engineer software, except where such restriction is prohibited by applicable law.
Remove copyright notices.
Modify branding.
Create derivative works based upon NCSTA materials.
Train artificial intelligence models using NCSTA materials without prior written authorization.
Use Course Materials to create competing educational products or services.

Unauthorized use constitutes a material breach of this Agreement and may result in immediate termination of access, revocation of certifications, and pursuit of all remedies available under applicable law.

58. COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All Course Materials are protected under applicable copyright laws.

Unless otherwise indicated:

No portion of any Course Materials may be reproduced, transmitted, stored, translated, distributed, displayed, published, broadcast, or otherwise used without the prior written consent of NCSTA or the applicable copyright owner.

59. TRADEMARKS

"National Cyber Security Training Academy," "NCSTA," associated logos, certification marks, course names (where applicable), service marks, slogans, and other branding elements are trademarks, service marks, or trade names owned by NCSTA or used under license.

Nothing contained within the Services grants any right or license to use any NCSTA trademark without prior written authorization.

Unauthorized use of NCSTA trademarks may constitute trademark infringement and unfair competition under applicable law.

60. DIGITAL CONTENT PROTECTION

NCSTA employs reasonable technical, administrative, and contractual measures to protect its digital content and intellectual property.

These measures may include:

Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Watermarking
Access controls
Download restrictions
User authentication
Session monitoring
IP logging
Device management
Encryption
Activity auditing
Digital fingerprinting, where appropriate and permitted by law

Students agree not to circumvent, disable, interfere with, or attempt to bypass any content protection technologies implemented by NCSTA.

61. USER-GENERATED CONTENT

Certain Services may permit students to submit assignments, discussion posts, comments, code, projects, videos, or other content ("User Content").

You retain ownership of your original User Content. By submitting User Content to NCSTA, you grant NCSTA a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, display, distribute, and use such content as reasonably necessary to operate, administer, evaluate, improve, and provide the Services, including grading, feedback, accreditation activities, quality assurance, and promotional use only where you have separately agreed or where permitted by law.

You represent and warrant that:

You own or have the necessary rights to submit the User Content.
The User Content does not infringe the intellectual property or other rights of any third party.
The User Content does not violate applicable law or this Agreement.

NCSTA may remove User Content that violates these Terms.

62. RECORDING POLICY

Students shall not record, photograph, screen capture, livestream, copy, broadcast, or otherwise reproduce:

Live classes
Instructor presentations
Guest lectures
Student discussions
Laboratory demonstrations
Certification examinations
Video conferences

without the prior written consent of NCSTA and, where applicable, the instructor or other participants.

NCSTA may record instructional sessions for educational, quality assurance, security, accessibility, or training purposes where permitted by law.

63. DIGITAL CERTIFICATES AND BADGES

Certificates, digital badges, transcripts, and certifications issued by NCSTA remain official records of the Academy.

Students may display earned credentials in accordance with NCSTA's published certification policies but shall not:

Alter certificates.
Misrepresent certifications.
Create counterfeit credentials.
Use expired, revoked, or suspended certifications as though they remain valid.

NCSTA reserves the right to revoke or invalidate credentials issued in error or obtained through fraud, academic misconduct, or violation of this Agreement.

64. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT AND NOTICE

NCSTA respects the intellectual property rights of others and expects users to do the same.

If you believe that material available through the Services infringes your copyright, you may submit a written notice to NCSTA's designated copyright contact that includes:

Identification of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed.
Identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location.
Your contact information.
A statement that you have a good-faith belief that the use is unauthorized.
A statement, made under penalty of perjury where required by law, that the information in the notice is accurate and that you are authorized to act on behalf of the copyright owner.
Your physical or electronic signature.

NCSTA will review notices and respond in accordance with applicable copyright laws.

65. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS

Except for the limited license expressly granted under this Agreement, no right, title, or interest in or to any Intellectual Property, Course Materials, software, technology, trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, or other proprietary rights is transferred to any student or user.

NCSTA and its licensors reserve all rights not expressly granted in this Agreement.

PRIVACY POLICY, DATA PROTECTION, COMMUNICATIONS, ADVERTISING, COOKIES, THIRD-PARTY SERVICES, AND INFORMATION SECURITY

66. PRIVACY COMMITMENT

The National Cyber Security Training Academy ("NCSTA") is committed to protecting the privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and security of the personal information entrusted to us by our students, instructors, employees, contractors, corporate partners, website visitors, certification candidates, and other users of the Services.

This Privacy Policy explains how NCSTA collects, uses, stores, shares, safeguards, and processes personal information in connection with its websites, mobile applications, learning management systems, certification platforms, educational services, and related digital properties (collectively, the "Platform").

By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection, use, processing, disclosure, storage, and transfer of your personal information as described in this Agreement, subject to applicable law.

67. INFORMATION WE COLLECT

NCSTA may collect information that you voluntarily provide, information collected automatically through your use of the Platform, and information received from third parties where permitted by law.

Information we may collect includes, but is not limited to:

Personal Information

Full name
Mailing address
Email address
Telephone number
Date of birth
Government-issued identification (when required)
Student identification numbers
Employer information
Job title
Educational history
Professional certifications
Payment information (processed by authorized payment providers)
Billing information

Student Information

Course enrollments
Course progress
Laboratory activity
Certification records
Examination history
Attendance records
Student communications
Support requests
Assignment submissions
Academic records

Technical Information

IP addresses
Browser type
Device identifiers
Operating system
Mobile device information
Session information
Geographic region (where available)
Internet service provider
Language preferences
Time zone
Referral URLs

Automatically Collected Information

Login history
Website activity
Pages viewed
Videos watched
Downloads
Search activity
Course completion history
Cookies
Analytics information
Diagnostic information

68. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION

NCSTA may use collected information for legitimate educational, business, administrative, security, and legal purposes, including to:

Provide educational services.
Deliver online courses.
Process enrollments.
Verify student identity.
Process payments.
Issue certifications.
Maintain student records.
Improve educational content.
Personalize learning experiences.
Respond to customer support requests.
Provide technical support.
Improve website performance.
Conduct quality assurance.
Detect fraud.
Prevent abuse.
Investigate security incidents.
Protect NCSTA systems.
Comply with legal obligations.
Send course updates.
Send certification notices.
Send administrative announcements.
Deliver newsletters and marketing communications, where permitted by applicable law and subject to your communication preferences.

69. LEGAL BASIS FOR PROCESSING

Where required by applicable privacy laws, NCSTA processes personal information based on one or more lawful grounds, including:

Performance of a contract.
Compliance with legal obligations.
Legitimate business interests.
Protection of vital interests.
Your consent, where required.
Other lawful bases recognized under applicable law.

70. COMMUNICATIONS

By creating an account, enrolling in any course, purchasing any product or service, requesting information, or otherwise interacting with NCSTA, you expressly consent, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to receive communications from NCSTA relating to your account and the Services.

Such communications may include:

Email
Telephone calls
Text messages (SMS)
WhatsApp messages
Learning management system notifications
Mobile application notifications
Video conferencing invitations
Postal mail
Customer support communications
Billing notices
Security alerts
Course announcements
Certification updates
Surveys
Promotional communications, where permitted by law

You may opt out of promotional communications using the unsubscribe mechanism provided in such communications. Transactional, security, legal, billing, and other essential communications may continue even if you opt out of marketing messages.

71. WHATSAPP COMMUNICATIONS

NCSTA may use WhatsApp Business or similar messaging platforms to provide customer support, enrollment assistance, appointment reminders, course updates, technical support, and other educational or administrative communications.

By voluntarily providing your mobile telephone number and requesting or accepting communications through WhatsApp, you acknowledge that:

WhatsApp is a third-party communication platform.
Your communications may be subject to WhatsApp's terms and privacy practices.
Message delivery is not guaranteed.
Standard messaging or data charges imposed by your carrier may apply.
You may discontinue WhatsApp communications by notifying NCSTA or following applicable opt-out instructions, except for communications that are necessary to administer your account or fulfill contractual obligations.

72. COOKIES AND TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES

NCSTA uses cookies and similar technologies to improve the functionality, security, and performance of the Platform.

Cookies may be used to:

Authenticate users.
Maintain login sessions.
Remember user preferences.
Improve website functionality.
Measure website traffic.
Analyze course usage.
Improve learning experiences.
Prevent fraud.
Enhance cybersecurity.
Deliver relevant advertising where applicable.

Users may manage cookie preferences through their browser settings; however, disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the Services.

73. ADVERTISING AND SPONSORED CONTENT

NCSTA may display sponsored advertisements, affiliate advertisements, promotional content, and other advertising on its websites, mobile applications, learning management systems, and other digital properties.

Advertising revenue and sponsorships help support NCSTA's mission of providing affordable, high-quality cybersecurity education and enable NCSTA to offer certain courses, educational resources, certifications, scholarships, discounts, and promotional programs at reduced cost or, in some cases, without charge.

NCSTA seeks to maintain a professional, educational, and family-friendly learning environment. Accordingly, NCSTA does not knowingly accept advertising that promotes or contains pornography, sexually explicit material, adult entertainment, illegal drugs, tobacco or nicotine products, gambling, hate speech, unlawful activity, or other content that NCSTA determines, in its reasonable discretion, to be inconsistent with its educational mission.

Advertisements displayed on the Platform may be provided by independent third-party advertising networks, sponsors, affiliates, or service providers. NCSTA does not control or guarantee the products, services, claims, availability, or content of third-party advertisements. Any transaction or interaction between you and a third-party advertiser is solely between you and that third party, and NCSTA disclaims responsibility for such transactions to the fullest extent permitted by law.

NCSTA reserves the right to accept, reject, suspend, remove, or modify advertising content or advertising partners at any time.

74. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

The Platform may integrate with or provide access to third-party products, software, websites, payment processors, cloud providers, learning platforms, communication services, artificial intelligence providers, video conferencing services, certification partners, analytics providers, or other third-party services.

NCSTA is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, security, privacy practices, or content of any third-party service. Your use of third-party services is governed by the applicable terms and privacy policies of those third parties.

75. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

NCSTA may disclose personal information when reasonably necessary to:

Provide the Services.
Process payments.
Issue certifications.
Verify credentials.
Comply with legal obligations.
Respond to lawful requests from courts or governmental authorities.
Protect the rights, property, safety, or security of NCSTA, its students, instructors, employees, or the public.
Prevent fraud or cybercrime.
Enforce this Agreement.
Facilitate mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, or transfers of business assets, subject to applicable law.

NCSTA does not sell students' personal information to third parties for monetary consideration.

76. DATA SECURITY

NCSTA implements commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, loss, misuse, or destruction.

Such safeguards may include:

Encryption where appropriate.
Multi-factor authentication.
Firewalls.
Network monitoring.
Security logging.
Access controls.
Role-based permissions.
Security awareness training.
Vulnerability management.
Regular software updates.

No method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is completely secure. Accordingly, NCSTA cannot guarantee absolute security.

77. DATA RETENTION

NCSTA retains personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

Provide the Services.
Maintain academic records.
Preserve certification history.
Comply with legal obligations.
Resolve disputes.
Enforce agreements.
Meet accreditation, auditing, or regulatory requirements.

NCSTA may securely delete or anonymize information when it is no longer required, subject to applicable law.

78. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Because NCSTA serves students worldwide, personal information may be transferred to, processed in, or stored in jurisdictions other than the country in which it was originally collected.

By using the Services, you acknowledge and, where required by applicable law, consent to such transfers, recognizing that privacy protections may differ between jurisdictions. NCSTA will implement appropriate safeguards where required by applicable law.

79. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as the right to request access, correction, deletion, restriction of processing, portability, or to object to certain processing activities.

Requests will be evaluated and handled in accordance with applicable law. NCSTA may request information reasonably necessary to verify your identity before responding to a request.

80. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

NCSTA reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in law, technology, business practices, or the Services.

Material changes will be posted on the Platform or otherwise communicated where required by applicable law. Your continued use of the Services after such changes become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.

CERTIFICATIONS, CREDENTIALS, DIGITAL BADGES, PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION, AND CERTIFICATION POLICIES

81. CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

The National Cyber Security Training Academy ("NCSTA") offers professional certifications, certificates of completion, continuing education programs, digital badges, micro-credentials, and other educational credentials (collectively, the "Credentials") designed to recognize the successful completion of NCSTA educational programs.

Unless otherwise expressly stated in writing by NCSTA, all Credentials are issued solely by NCSTA and reflect successful completion of NCSTA's educational, examination, and certification requirements.

NCSTA reserves the exclusive right to establish, modify, suspend, or discontinue any certification program, eligibility requirement, examination standard, renewal requirement, continuing education requirement, or certification policy at any time.

82. CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY

To qualify for an NCSTA certification, students must satisfy all applicable requirements established by NCSTA, which may include, but are not limited to:

Successful completion of required coursework.
Completion of all required laboratories.
Successful completion of required examinations.
Achievement of minimum passing scores.
Completion of required projects or practical assessments.
Compliance with NCSTA's Academic Integrity Policy.
Compliance with NCSTA's Code of Conduct.
Compliance with all applicable certification policies.

NCSTA reserves the right to verify completion of all requirements before issuing any Credential.

83. CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION

Certain educational programs may award a Certificate of Completion.

A Certificate of Completion acknowledges that a student has completed the educational requirements established by NCSTA for the applicable course.

A Certificate of Completion does not represent:

Government licensing.
State licensure.
Professional licensure.
Accreditation by a governmental agency.
Employment qualification.
Legal authority to perform regulated services.
Third-party certification.
Professional registration.

84. PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Certain programs may award professional certifications based upon successful completion of specific educational and examination requirements established by NCSTA.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, NCSTA certifications represent only that the recipient has satisfied NCSTA's published certification standards at the time the credential was issued.

NCSTA certifications do not constitute a professional license issued by any governmental authority.

85. DIGITAL BADGES

NCSTA may issue digital badges or electronic credentials that may be displayed on:

LinkedIn
Digital resumes
Professional portfolios
Electronic signatures
Corporate biographies
Social media platforms
Professional networking websites

Students may use digital badges only while the applicable certification remains valid and in good standing.

Digital badges remain the property of NCSTA and may be revoked in accordance with this Agreement.

86. CERTIFICATE VERIFICATION

NCSTA may maintain a certification verification system allowing employers, educational institutions, government agencies, licensing bodies, and other authorized third parties to verify certain credentials issued by NCSTA.

Verification services may include confirmation of:

Student name.
Certification earned.
Certificate number.
Date issued.
Certification status.
Expiration date, if applicable.

NCSTA reserves the right to establish procedures governing credential verification.

87. CONTINUING EDUCATION

Certain certifications may require continuing education, recertification, renewal examinations, continuing professional development ("CPD"), continuing education units ("CEUs"), or other ongoing educational requirements.

Failure to satisfy renewal requirements may result in:

Expiration of certification.
Suspension.
Inactive status.
Revocation of digital badges.
Loss of certification privileges.

NCSTA reserves the right to modify renewal requirements at any time.

88. CERTIFICATION REVOCATION

NCSTA reserves the right, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, to deny, suspend, invalidate, revoke, withdraw, or require the surrender of any Credential if NCSTA reasonably determines that the recipient has:

Violated this Agreement.
Engaged in academic dishonesty.
Cheated during examinations.
Submitted fraudulent documentation.
Misrepresented qualifications.
Shared examination materials.
Violated NCSTA's Code of Conduct.
Engaged in unlawful conduct related to cybersecurity.
Used the certification in a deceptive or misleading manner.
Failed to comply with continuing education requirements, where applicable.

Before final revocation, NCSTA may provide notice and an opportunity to respond where appropriate, unless immediate action is necessary to protect the integrity of the certification program or as otherwise permitted by law.

89. MISUSE OF CERTIFICATIONS

Students and certification holders shall not:

Alter certificates.
Modify digital badges.
Create counterfeit credentials.
Misrepresent certification status.
Claim certifications not earned.
Use revoked certifications.
Use expired certifications as though they remain valid.
Misrepresent the scope of any NCSTA certification.
Represent an NCSTA certification as a government-issued license or official governmental credential.

Unauthorized use of NCSTA credentials may result in legal action.

90. EMPLOYMENT DISCLAIMER

NCSTA provides education, training, certifications, and professional development.

NCSTA does not guarantee:

Employment.
Job placement.
Interviews.
Promotions.
Salary increases.
Professional licensing.
Government security clearances.
Contracts.
Consulting engagements.
Business opportunities.
Client acquisition.
Career advancement.

Employment outcomes depend upon numerous factors beyond NCSTA's control, including education, experience, skills, geographic location, economic conditions, employer hiring practices, background investigations, security clearance eligibility, and individual performance.

91. SALARY DISCLAIMER

Any salary information, compensation data, labor statistics, employment projections, earning potential, or career opportunities presented by NCSTA are provided for general informational purposes only.

Such information:

Is not guaranteed.
May become outdated.
May vary significantly by employer, geographic location, industry, experience, certifications, education, economic conditions, and other factors.

NCSTA makes no representation or warranty regarding any student's future earnings or employment compensation.

92. ACCREDITATION DISCLOSURE

NCSTA may maintain memberships, affiliations, approvals, recognitions, partnerships, accreditations, or other relationships with educational organizations, professional associations, accrediting bodies, certification organizations, or industry partners.

Unless expressly stated by NCSTA in writing, no such relationship shall be construed as governmental approval, governmental endorsement, governmental accreditation, state licensure, or authorization to confer academic degrees.

Students are encouraged to independently verify whether any NCSTA course, certification, or credential satisfies the requirements of their employer, licensing authority, educational institution, or professional organization.

93. THIRD-PARTY CERTIFICATIONS

Certain NCSTA courses may prepare students for examinations administered by independent third-party certification providers.

Unless expressly stated otherwise:

NCSTA is not the owner or administrator of third-party certification examinations.
Third-party certification providers establish their own eligibility requirements, examination fees, scheduling policies, recertification requirements, and examination rules.
Students are solely responsible for complying with the requirements established by the applicable third-party certification provider.

NCSTA makes no guarantee that completion of any NCSTA course will result in successful passage of any third-party examination.

94. COURSE COMPLETION TIMEFRAMES

Some certifications or programs may require completion within specified timeframes.

NCSTA reserves the right to establish:

Enrollment expiration dates.
Certification eligibility windows.
Examination deadlines.
Renewal periods.
Access expiration dates.

Students are responsible for completing all requirements before applicable deadlines.

95. STUDENT TRANSCRIPTS

NCSTA may maintain academic records, transcripts, and certification histories for educational and administrative purposes.

NCSTA reserves the right to:

Issue official transcripts.
Correct clerical errors.
Withhold transcripts where permitted by law due to outstanding financial obligations or unresolved disciplinary matters.
Charge reasonable administrative fees for transcript requests, where disclosed.

96. PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AFTER CERTIFICATION

Recipients of NCSTA Credentials are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty, integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical conduct in their professional activities.

Certification holders should:

Use cybersecurity knowledge responsibly.
Respect applicable laws.
Protect confidential information.
Respect privacy rights.
Avoid conflicts of interest.
Accurately represent their qualifications.
Promote ethical cybersecurity practices.

Failure to adhere to these standards may result in review under NCSTA's certification policies.

97. NO LEGAL, FINANCIAL, OR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Educational content provided by NCSTA is intended solely for informational and educational purposes.

Unless expressly stated otherwise in writing, NCSTA does not provide:

Legal advice.
Financial advice.
Investment advice.
Accounting advice.
Tax advice.
Medical advice.
Psychological counseling.
Engineering certification.
Government compliance determinations.

Students should consult appropriately licensed professionals before making decisions based upon educational content.

98. RESERVATION OF CERTIFICATION RIGHTS

NCSTA reserves all rights relating to its certification programs, including the right to:

Modify certification standards.
Change examination requirements.
Update competency frameworks.
Revise continuing education requirements.
Introduce new certifications.
Discontinue certifications.
Correct administrative errors.
Protect the integrity, reputation, and value of NCSTA credentials.

Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate NCSTA to continue offering any specific certification program indefinitely.

DISCLAIMERS, LIMITATION OF LIABILITY, DISPUTE RESOLUTION, GOVERNING LAW, GENERAL LEGAL PROVISIONS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION

99. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE SERVICES, PLATFORM, WEBSITES, MOBILE APPLICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, EDUCATIONAL CONTENT, COURSE MATERIALS, SOFTWARE, LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTS, EXAMINATIONS, DIGITAL CONTENT, COMMUNICATIONS, AND ALL OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY TRAINING ACADEMY ("NCSTA") ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS," "AS AVAILABLE," AND "WITH ALL FAULTS" BASIS.

NCSTA EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION:

Implied warranties of merchantability;
Fitness for a particular purpose;
Title;
Non-infringement;
Accuracy;
Availability;
Reliability;
Compatibility;
Security;
Uninterrupted access;
Error-free operation; and
Any warranties arising from course of dealing, usage, or trade practice.

NCSTA does not warrant that:

The Services will always be available;
The Platform will operate without interruption;
Any defects will be corrected;
Course content will always remain current;
Software will be compatible with every device;
Third-party services will remain available; or
The Services will meet every student's individual expectations or requirements.

Some jurisdictions do not permit the exclusion of certain warranties. In such jurisdictions, the foregoing exclusions shall apply only to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

100. EDUCATIONAL DISCLAIMER

NCSTA provides educational instruction, training, continuing education, professional development, and certification programs.

NCSTA does not guarantee:

Employment;
Promotions;
Salary increases;
Business success;
Consulting engagements;
Government contracts;
Security clearances;
Third-party certification examination success;
Admission into colleges or universities;
Academic credit from another institution; or
Any specific professional outcome.

Individual success depends upon numerous factors beyond NCSTA's control, including education, experience, effort, market conditions, employer requirements, geographic location, economic conditions, applicable laws, and individual performance.

101. TECHNOLOGY DISCLAIMER

Because NCSTA relies upon internet connectivity and third-party technology providers, interruptions may occur.

NCSTA is not responsible for delays, interruptions, outages, or failures resulting from:

Internet service providers;
Cloud service providers;
Payment processors;
Domain registrars;
Hosting providers;
Software vendors;
Hardware failures;
Power outages;
Cybersecurity incidents affecting third parties;
Telecommunications failures;
Browser incompatibility;
Mobile device limitations; or
Other circumstances beyond NCSTA's reasonable control.

102. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, NCSTA, ITS PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS, ASSIGNS, OWNERS, OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS, EMPLOYEES, INSTRUCTORS, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS, VOLUNTEERS, LICENSORS, SUPPLIERS, PARTNERS, AND SERVICE PROVIDERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY:

Indirect damages;
Incidental damages;
Special damages;
Exemplary damages;
Punitive damages;
Consequential damages;
Lost profits;
Lost business opportunities;
Lost revenue;
Lost data;
Loss of goodwill;
Business interruption;
Computer failures;
Cybersecurity incidents caused by third parties; or
Any other indirect losses,

whether arising under contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, statute, or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, NCSTA's total cumulative liability arising out of or relating to the Services shall not exceed the total amount actually paid by you to NCSTA for the specific course or service giving rise to the claim during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the claim.

Certain jurisdictions do not permit limitations of liability for certain damages. In such jurisdictions, this limitation shall apply only to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

103. RELEASE OF CLAIMS

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, you voluntarily release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue NCSTA and its officers, directors, employees, instructors, contractors, licensors, affiliates, successors, and assigns from any claims, demands, actions, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses arising out of or relating to your participation in the Services, except to the extent such claims cannot be waived under applicable law or arise from NCSTA's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or other liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

104. INDEMNIFICATION

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless NCSTA, its parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees, instructors, contractors, agents, licensors, successors, assigns, and service providers from and against any and all claims, actions, liabilities, damages, judgments, settlements, penalties, fines, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or relating to:

Your violation of this Agreement;
Your misuse of the Services;
Your violation of applicable law;
Your infringement of intellectual property rights;
Your User Content;
Your negligence or willful misconduct; or
Your violation of the rights of any third party.

105. FORCE MAJEURE

NCSTA shall not be liable for any delay, interruption, or failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement resulting from events beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to:

Natural disasters;
Hurricanes;
Tornadoes;
Floods;
Fires;
Earthquakes;
Pandemics;
Epidemics;
War;
Terrorism;
Civil unrest;
Government actions;
Labor disputes;
Utility failures;
Internet outages;
Cyberattacks;
Ransomware incidents;
Supply chain disruptions;
Transportation failures; or
Any other event beyond NCSTA's reasonable control.

Performance shall be suspended for the duration of such event.

106. EXPORT CONTROL AND SANCTIONS COMPLIANCE

You agree to comply with all applicable United States export control laws, economic sanctions, and trade restrictions, including those administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other applicable governmental authorities.

You represent and warrant that you are not prohibited from receiving the Services under applicable export control or sanctions laws.

NCSTA reserves the right to deny access to the Services where required by applicable law.

107. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, United States of America, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Nothing in this Agreement shall deprive consumers of mandatory rights afforded under the laws of their jurisdiction where such rights cannot lawfully be waived.

108. DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Before initiating formal legal proceedings, the parties agree to make a good-faith effort to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement through informal negotiations.

A party seeking to resolve a dispute shall provide written notice describing the nature of the dispute and the requested resolution.

If the parties are unable to resolve the dispute within a reasonable period, either party may pursue any remedies available under applicable law, unless a separate written arbitration agreement or other dispute resolution agreement applies.

109. ATTORNEYS' FEES

In any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys' fees, court costs, and litigation expenses to the extent permitted by applicable law or by order of the court.

110. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Any invalid or unenforceable provision shall be modified only to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable while preserving its original intent whenever possible.

111. WAIVER

No waiver by NCSTA of any breach or default under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver of any subsequent breach or default.

Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of NCSTA.

112. ASSIGNMENT

You may not assign, transfer, delegate, or sublicense any rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of NCSTA.

NCSTA may assign or transfer this Agreement, in whole or in part, in connection with a merger, acquisition, corporate reorganization, sale of assets, financing transaction, or operation of law.

113. SURVIVAL

The provisions of this Agreement that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including, without limitation:

Intellectual Property Rights
Payment Obligations
Confidentiality Obligations
Privacy Provisions
Certification Revocation
Indemnification
Limitations of Liability
Disclaimers
Governing Law
Dispute Resolution
Attorneys' Fees
Record Retention
Audit Rights
Any other provision intended to survive termination

114. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Refund Policy, Code of Conduct, Certification Policies, and any other policies or agreements expressly incorporated by reference constitute the entire agreement between you and NCSTA regarding the Services and supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications, negotiations, representations, understandings, or agreements relating to the subject matter herein.

115. ELECTRONIC CONSENT AND SIGNATURES

By creating an account, clicking an "I Agree," "Accept," "Enroll," "Purchase," or similar button, submitting an electronic form, completing an online purchase, or otherwise accessing or using the Services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be legally bound by this Agreement.

You further agree that your electronic acceptance constitutes your electronic signature and has the same legal force and effect as a handwritten signature to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the U.S. Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (E-SIGN Act), the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), and other applicable electronic signature laws.

116. MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT

NCSTA reserves the right to amend, modify, update, or revise these Terms of Service and related policies at any time.

Material changes will be posted on the Platform and, where required by applicable law, may also be communicated by email or other reasonable means.

Continued use of the Services after the effective date of any revised Terms constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

117. CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions regarding these Terms, Privacy Policy, certifications, billing, student services, or legal matters may be directed to:

National Cyber Security Training Academy (NCSTA)

Student Support
[email protected]

Billing and Enrollment
[email protected]

Website
https://www.nationalcybersecuritytrainingacademy.com

118. EFFECTIVE DATE

These Terms of Service and Legal Policies become effective on the date published by NCSTA and remain in effect until amended or replaced.

By accessing or using the Services after the Effective Date, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be legally bound by these Terms.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

BY ACCESSING, PURCHASING, ENROLLING IN, OR USING ANY COURSE, CERTIFICATION, WEBSITE, MOBILE APPLICATION, DIGITAL PLATFORM, OR OTHER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY TRAINING ACADEMY, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE LEGALLY BOUND BY THESE TERMS OF SERVICE, PRIVACY POLICY, AND ALL OTHER POLICIES INCORPORATED HEREIN.