Advertising Disclosure
Transparency is fundamental to cybersecurity. Learn about CyberGuard Academy's advertising relationships, affiliate partnerships, and sponsored content policies.
Transparency Commitment
FTC CompliantAt CyberGuard Academy, we believe in complete transparency regarding our advertising practices and commercial relationships. As Sri Lanka's leading cybersecurity training institute, we maintain the highest standards of disclosure to ensure our students and website visitors understand how we fund our educational mission.
This advertising disclosure explains our affiliate programs, sponsored content policies, and commercial partnerships. We comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and international best practices for advertising transparency in educational services.
Our Promise: All advertising and affiliate relationships are clearly disclosed, and our educational content always prioritizes student success over commercial interests.
Affiliate Relationships & Partnerships
Affiliate Program Participation
CyberGuard Academy participates in several affiliate marketing programs related to cybersecurity education and professional development. When you click on certain links or purchase recommended products and services, we may receive compensation.
- • Cybersecurity Tool Affiliates: We partner with leading cybersecurity software providers and receive commissions for qualified purchases
- • Certification Partners: Affiliate relationships with CompTIA, EC-Council, and other certification bodies for exam vouchers
- • Book and Resource Affiliates: Commissions from recommended cybersecurity books, courses, and educational materials
- • Hardware Partners: Affiliate programs with computer and networking equipment suppliers for student discounts
Commission-Based Link Explanations
Commission-based links help support CyberGuard Academy's mission to provide accessible cybersecurity education. Here's how our affiliate system works:
How It Works
- • Links are clearly marked as affiliate links
- • No additional cost to students or visitors
- • Commissions range from 3-15% of purchase price
- • Payments processed by trusted affiliate networks
Revenue Usage
- • 70% invested in course development and updates
- • 20% allocated to student scholarships and support
- • 10% used for platform maintenance and security
- • Full financial transparency in annual reports
Product Recommendation Policies
Our product recommendations are based on educational value and student success, not commission rates. We maintain strict editorial independence in our content creation.
- • Testing Standards: All recommended tools and resources are personally tested by our cybersecurity instructors
- • Student Feedback: Recommendations incorporate feedback from current students and graduates
- • Regular Reviews: Quarterly assessment of all affiliate partnerships and product recommendations
- • Non-Affiliate Options: We always provide non-affiliate alternatives when available
Financial Relationship Transparency
We disclose all financial relationships that could influence our educational content or recommendations.
- • Partnership Disclosure: All commercial partnerships are disclosed in course materials and content
- • Compensation Transparency: Nature and amount of compensation clearly stated for significant relationships
- • Editorial Independence: Financial relationships do not influence our educational content or grading standards
- • Student First Policy: Educational value always takes precedence over commercial considerations
Sponsored Content & Brand Partnerships
Identification of Paid Content
All sponsored content on CyberGuard Academy platforms is clearly identified to maintain transparency with our cybersecurity education community.
Content Labeling
- • "Sponsored Post" labels on paid articles
- • "Partner Content" for collaborative materials
- • "Advertisement" clearly marked on promotional content
- • "Affiliate Link" disclosure on commission-based links
Visual Indicators
- • Distinctive background colors for sponsored content
- • Special badges and icons for paid partnerships
- • Clear typography differences for promotional text
- • Consistent disclosure placement across all platforms
Sponsored Post Labeling Policies
Our sponsored content policies ensure that all paid promotional materials are immediately recognizable to our cybersecurity training community.
- • Prominent Placement: Sponsorship disclosures appear at the beginning of content, above the fold
- • Clear Language: Simple, understandable disclosure language avoiding legal jargon
- • Mobile Optimization: Disclosures remain visible and prominent on all device sizes
- • Video Content: Audio and visual sponsorship disclosures in video training materials
- • Social Media: Hashtags like #sponsored, #ad, and #partnership on social platforms
Brand Partnership Disclosures
CyberGuard Academy maintains strategic partnerships with cybersecurity companies, educational technology providers, and industry organizations.
Current Strategic Partners
- • Leading cybersecurity software vendors
- • Professional certification organizations
- • Cloud security platform providers
- • Educational technology companies
- • Government cybersecurity initiatives
- • International training consortiums
- • Sri Lankan IT industry associations
- • Corporate training program partners
Content Authenticity Guarantees
Even in sponsored content, we maintain our commitment to educational excellence and authentic cybersecurity training information.
- • Educational Value: All sponsored content must provide genuine educational value to cybersecurity students
- • Fact Verification: Technical information in sponsored content is verified by our cybersecurity experts
- • Balanced Perspective: Sponsored content includes objective analysis and potential limitations
- • Student Feedback: Sponsored content quality is monitored through student evaluations and feedback
Third-Party Advertising & External Networks
Display Advertising Networks Used
CyberGuard Academy utilizes select advertising networks to display relevant cybersecurity and educational content to our website visitors.
Primary Networks
- • Google AdSense for educational content
- • Professional training affiliate networks
- • Cybersecurity industry advertising platforms
- • Educational technology display networks
Content Standards
- • Only cybersecurity and education-related ads
- • No inappropriate or misleading content
- • Regular review of displayed advertisements
- • Student-friendly and professional standards
Behavioral Targeting Disclosure
We use behavioral targeting to show relevant cybersecurity and professional development advertisements based on your interests and website activity.
- • Interest-Based Ads: Advertisements tailored to cybersecurity interests and career goals
- • Retargeting Campaigns: Ads for CyberGuard Academy programs shown on other websites
- • Professional Targeting: Career-relevant advertisements based on your cybersecurity focus areas
- • Geographic Targeting: Location-based ads for local cybersecurity events and opportunities
Cookie Usage for Advertising
Advertising cookies help us display relevant cybersecurity content and measure the effectiveness of our educational outreach efforts.
Cookie Types & Purposes
- • Ad Serving Cookies: Deliver relevant cybersecurity and educational advertisements
- • Performance Cookies: Measure advertisement effectiveness and campaign performance
- • Targeting Cookies: Create profiles for personalized cybersecurity content recommendations
- • Frequency Cookies: Control how often you see the same advertisements
Ad Personalization Practices
Our ad personalization focuses on providing relevant cybersecurity training opportunities and career development resources.
- • Training Program Recommendations: Ads for cybersecurity courses matching your interests
- • Career Opportunity Alerts: Job postings and career advancement opportunities in cybersecurity
- • Industry Event Promotion: Information about cybersecurity conferences, webinars, and networking events
- • Resource Recommendations: Relevant books, tools, and educational materials for cybersecurity professionals
Your Rights & Advertising Controls
Ad Preference Management Options
You have complete control over your advertising experience on CyberGuard Academy platforms and can customize ad preferences at any time.
Available Controls
- • Customize ad categories and interests
- • Opt out of behavioral targeting
- • Block specific advertisers or campaigns
- • Control ad frequency and timing
How to Access
- • Visit our Cookie Policy page
- • Use browser ad preference settings
- • Contact our support team for assistance
- • Modify settings in your student account
Opt-Out Procedures
We respect your choice to limit or opt out of advertising tracking and personalization.
- • Cookie Settings: Use our cookie banner or preference center to disable advertising cookies
- • Browser Controls: Enable "Do Not Track" settings in your browser preferences
- • Ad Network Opt-Outs: Visit industry opt-out pages like NAI Consumer Opt-Out
- • Email Preferences: Unsubscribe from promotional emails and marketing communications
- • Account Settings: Modify advertising preferences in your student account dashboard
Data Collection for Advertising Purposes
We collect limited data for advertising purposes, always with respect for your privacy and cybersecurity education goals.
Data Types Collected
- • Website Activity: Pages visited, time spent, and cybersecurity topics of interest
- • Demographics: General location, age range, and professional background (when provided)
- • Engagement Data: Interaction with ads, clicks, and conversion information
- • Device Information: Browser type, device specifications, and technical capabilities
Rights Under Privacy Regulations
Your advertising data rights are protected under international privacy regulations, including GDPR and similar frameworks.
- • Right to Access: Request information about advertising data we've collected about you
- • Right to Portability: Receive your advertising preference data in a portable format
- • Right to Deletion: Request removal of advertising-related personal data
- • Right to Object: Opt out of advertising data processing for direct marketing purposes
- • Right to Rectification: Correct inaccurate advertising profile information
Questions & Advertising Inquiries
For questions about our advertising practices, to report advertising issues, or to exercise your advertising-related rights, please contact our marketing compliance team.
Advertising Compliance Team
Our advertising compliance specialists handle all inquiries related to our disclosure policies, affiliate relationships, and advertising practices.
Contact Advertising TeamResponse Timeline
Advertising-related inquiries are prioritized and typically receive responses within 48 hours, with full resolution within 7 business days.