Privacy Policy

Last updated: January 2024

Verdant-Cryptic Education Limited ("we", "us", "our") operates the verdant-cryptic.com website and provides professional education services. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information when you interact with our services.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you enquire about our services, enrol in programmes, or communicate with us, you may provide:

• Contact details including name, email address, and postal address
• Professional information such as job title, employer, and industry
• Educational background and learning objectives
• Payment and billing information for programme enrolment
• Communication preferences and feedback

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• Device information including browser type, operating system, and screen resolution
• Usage data such as pages visited, time spent, and navigation patterns
• IP address and approximate geographic location
• Referral source and search terms that led you to our site

Information from Other Sources

We may receive information about you from:

• Employers sponsoring your programme enrolment
• Professional bodies providing accreditation verification
• Payment processors confirming transaction details

How We Use Your Information

We process personal information for the following purposes:

Service Delivery

• Processing programme enrolments and managing your learning account
• Delivering educational content and assessments
• Providing learner support and responding to enquiries
• Issuing certificates and verifying credentials

Business Operations

• Processing payments and managing financial records
• Analysing programme effectiveness and learner outcomes
• Improving our services and developing new programmes
• Complying with legal and regulatory requirements

Communications

• Sending programme updates and administrative notices
• Providing information about services that may interest you
• Conducting satisfaction surveys and gathering feedback
• Sharing alumni network opportunities

Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal information based on:

• Contract performance: Processing necessary to deliver services you have enrolled in
• Legitimate interests: Business operations, service improvement, and appropriate marketing
• Legal obligations: Compliance with education regulations, financial reporting, and tax requirements
• Consent: Where you have specifically agreed to certain processing activities

Information Sharing

We share personal information only in these circumstances:

Service Providers

Third parties who assist our operations, including payment processors, learning platform providers, email services, and analytics tools. These providers process data only on our instructions and maintain appropriate security measures.

Professional Bodies

Accreditation organisations and professional associations when verifying credentials or reporting CPD hours, with your knowledge.

Corporate Sponsors

When your employer has sponsored your enrolment, we may share progress and completion information as specified in the sponsorship arrangement.

Legal Requirements

When required by law, court order, or to protect our legal rights, safety, or property.

We do not sell personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.

Data Retention

We retain personal information for different periods depending on its nature and purpose:

• Enquiry data: 2 years from last contact if you do not enrol
• Learner records: Duration of programme plus 7 years
• Certificate verification data: Indefinitely to support credential verification
• Financial records: 7 years as required by law
• Marketing preferences: Until you withdraw consent

Your Rights

Under data protection law, you have rights including:

• Access: Request a copy of personal information we hold about you
• Rectification: Ask us to correct inaccurate information
• Erasure: Request deletion of your information in certain circumstances
• Restriction: Ask us to limit how we use your information
• Portability: Receive your data in a machine-readable format
• Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
• Withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent

To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We respond to requests within one month.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Access controls limiting who can view personal information
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Staff training on data protection responsibilities
• Incident response procedures for potential breaches

International Transfers

Your information may be processed outside the UK when using cloud services or international service providers. We ensure appropriate safeguards through standard contractual clauses, adequacy decisions, or equivalent measures approved by the UK Information Commissioner.

Children's Privacy

Our services are designed for adults and we do not knowingly collect information from individuals under 18. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child, we will take steps to delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy periodically. Significant changes will be communicated through our website or direct notification. Continued use of our services after changes indicates acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

For questions about this policy or our data practices:

Verdant-Cryptic Education Limited
47 Bartholomew Close
London EC1A 7BL
[email protected]

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ico.org.uk) if you believe we have not handled your information appropriately.