Cookies Policy

Cyberspark Website & Landing Page Cookie Notice

Effective Date: October 2026

Domain: cyberspark.group

1. WHAT ARE COOKIES AND DIGITAL TRACKERS?

Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, tablet, or mobile device when you visit a website. They allow websites to recognize your device, maintain site security, remember your user preferences, and analyze how visitors interact with the platform.

Cookies are categorized by how long they stay on your device:

  • Session Cookies: Temporary files that exist only while your browser is open and are automatically erased when you close your browser.

 

  • Persistent Cookies: Files that remain on your device for a specific time period (or until manually deleted) to remember your preferences for future visits.

2. OUR LEGAL BASIS FOR USING COOKIES 

Under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR):

  • Essential Cookies: We do not require your consent to place strictly necessary cookies that are essential for the website to function.

     

  • Non-Essential Cookies: We must obtain your clear, active opt-in consent before setting any analytics, functional, or marketing cookies.

3. CATEGORIES OF COOKIES WE USE

A. Strictly Necessary Cookies (Always Active)

These cookies are required for basic site operations, secure user logins, load balancing, and storing your privacy consent choices. The website cannot function properly without them.

B. Performance & Analytics Cookies (Optional – Requires Consent)

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our landing page and learning portals. They collect aggregated, anonymous statistics such as page views, load times, and traffic sources so we can improve site performance.

C. Functional & Preference Cookies (Optional – Requires Consent)

These cookies remember your settings and choices (such as high-contrast display modes or language preferences) to provide a tailored browsing experience.

D. Media & Interactive Marketing Cookies (Optional – Requires Consent)

These cookies enable embedded interactive content (such as streaming video modules for training) and measure the effectiveness of our educational outreach campaigns.

4. COOKIE INVENTORY & SPECIFIC TRACKERS USED

Below is a clear list of the primary cookies used across cyberspark.group:

  • Tracker Name: cf_clearance
    • Category: Functional
    • Purpose: Remembers whether a CAPTCHA or JavaScript challenge has been solved to enable secure ticket purchasing for Cyberspark events.
    • Retention: 12 Months
  • Tracker Name: __cf_bm
    • Category: Functional
    • Purpose: Cloudflare bot protection cookie deployed by HubSpot scripts to identify and mitigate automated bot traffic (Bot Management / Bot Fight Mode).
    • Retention: 30 Minutes
  • Tracker Name: cookieControl
    • Category: Strictly Necessary
    • Purpose: Stores user cookie consent selections and privacy preferences.
    • Retention: 1 Year
  • Tracker Name: ARRAffinity
    • Category: Strictly Necessary
    • Purpose: Manages web server load balancing and maintains secure user sessions.
    • Retention: Session
  • Tracker Name: _ga / _gid / _gat
    • Category: Analytics
    • Purpose: Google Analytics client identification, navigation tracking, and request rate throttling.
    • Retention: 1 Minute – 2 Years

5. CHILD PRIVACY & YOUNG PARTICIPANT PROTECTION (AGES 16–24)

Cyberspark hosts youth cybersecurity initiatives, including the Hack the Isles® competition for participants aged 16 to 24. In accordance with the ICO Age-Appropriate Design Code (Children’s Code):

 

  • Default Off: All optional analytics, functional, and marketing cookies are set to “OFF” by default until you actively accept them.

 

  • No Behavioral Profiling: We do not sell user data or track young participants for third-party commercial advertising profiling.

 

  • Easy Controls: You can change or withdraw your cookie consent at any time without losing access to cybersecurity training or competition portals.

6. HOW TO MANAGE AND DISABLE COOKIES

You have complete control over how cookies are used on your device:

A. On-Site Consent Preferences

You can update your cookie preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link at the bottom of any page on cyberspark.group.

B. Web Browser Controls

You can configure your web browser settings to block, reject, or erase cookies. Instructions for common browsers:

  • Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies

     

  • Mozilla Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data

     

  • Apple Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Block all cookies

     

  • Microsoft Edge: Settings > Site permissions > Cookies and site data

C. Opt-Out Tools

You can opt out of third-party advertising network tracking via independent portals

7. CONTACT US & REGULATORY INFORMATION

If you have questions about our use of cookies or wish to submit a data protection inquiry:

Cyberspark Privacy Lead

Email: info@cyberspark.group

Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland

If you believe your privacy choices have not been respected, you have the right to complain to the regulator:

Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

Website: https://ico.org.uk

Helpline: 0303 123 1113

Address: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF

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