The short version. We host this site on Vercel and use Vercel's cookieless Web Analytics to understand aggregate, anonymous traffic. Analytics only run if you click Accept on the consent banner. We do not use tracking cookies, we do not build advertising profiles, and we never sell your information. If you contact us, we use your details only to respond.
01 Who we are
The Global Cyber Institute ("GCI," "we," "us") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in New York, United States. This policy explains what information we collect through globalcyberinstitute.org (the "Site"), how we use it, and the choices available to you. Questions? Email info@globalcyberinstitute.org.
02 Information we collect
a. Hosting & server logs
The Site is hosted by Vercel Inc. Like virtually all web hosts, Vercel automatically processes standard technical request data — including your IP address, the requested URL, timestamp, referring page, and user-agent (browser/device) string — to deliver the Site, maintain security, and prevent abuse. This is necessary for the Site to function and is handled by Vercel as our infrastructure provider.
b. Analytics (cookieless, consent-gated)
If you consent, we use Vercel Web Analytics, a privacy-friendly analytics product that does not use cookies and does not collect personally identifiable information or track you across other websites. To count unique visits without identifying you, Vercel derives a one-way hash from request data (such as IP address and user-agent) combined with a daily-rotating salt; the hash cannot be reversed and is discarded each day, and the raw IP address is not stored. The data points it records are:
| Data point | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Page path visited | Understand which pages are useful |
| Referrer / source | See how visitors found us |
| Country (derived from IP, not stored) | Aggregate geography |
| Browser & operating system | Aggregate compatibility |
| Device type (desktop / mobile / tablet) | Aggregate device mix |
| Daily anonymous visitor hash | Estimate unique vs. repeat visits (then discarded) |
All analytics data is aggregated and anonymous. We cannot use it to identify you. Analytics scripts are loaded only after you click "Accept" on our consent banner (see section 4).
c. Contact form
When you submit our contact form, we collect the information you provide — your name, email address, and (optionally) organization, role, area of interest, and message. This is delivered to our inbox through Resend, our transactional email provider, and used solely to respond to your inquiry. We do not use it for marketing unless you separately ask us to.
03 Cookies & local storage
We do not use advertising or cross-site tracking cookies. The only thing we store on your
device is a single localStorage entry, gci-consent, which remembers your analytics
choice so we don't ask again on every visit. You can clear it at any time through your browser settings or by
using Manage consent.
04 Your consent & choices
On your first visit we show a consent banner. Analytics do not load unless you select Accept. You can change your mind at any time:
- Select Manage consent here or in the footer to re-open the banner.
- Choose Decline to stop analytics from loading. We will respect that on future visits.
- Clearing your browser's site data resets your choice.
05 Third-party services
We rely on a small number of reputable providers, each acting under their own privacy terms:
| Provider | Role | Data involved |
|---|---|---|
| Vercel Inc. | Hosting & cookieless analytics | Request logs; aggregate analytics |
| Resend | Delivers contact-form email to us | The details you submit in the form |
| Google Fonts | Serves the Site's typefaces | Your IP is seen by Google when fonts load |
| UCLA Extension | Course enrollment (external site) | Governed by UCLA's own privacy policy |
Links to external sites (such as UCLA Extension, LinkedIn, or X/Twitter) are governed by those organizations' privacy policies, not ours.
06 How we use information
- To operate, secure, and improve the Site;
- To understand aggregate, anonymous usage (only with your consent);
- To respond to inquiries you send us;
- To comply with legal obligations.
We do not sell or rent your personal information, and we do not use it for third-party advertising.
07 Data retention
Aggregate analytics are retained by Vercel for a limited period under their standard retention. Contact-form emails are kept as long as needed to handle your inquiry and our ordinary records, after which they are deleted on request or in the normal course. You may ask us to delete your messages at any time.
08 Your rights
Depending on where you live (for example, under the EU/UK GDPR or the California Consumer Privacy Act), you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or restrict the processing of your personal information, and to object to certain processing. To exercise any of these rights, email info@globalcyberinstitute.org and we will respond within the timeframe required by applicable law.
09 Children
The Site is intended for professionals and is not directed to children under 16. We do not knowingly collect information from children.
10 Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. We will revise the "Last updated" date above and, where appropriate, provide a more prominent notice.
11 Contact
Global Cyber Institute · New York, USA · info@globalcyberinstitute.org