These Terms of Use (the "Terms") govern your access to and use of forensicsinstitute.org (the "Site") and the courses, certifications, events, memberships, resources and other services offered by the Institute of Forensics & ICT Security ("IFIS", "we", "us" or "our"), the specialised training arm of Summit Consulting Ltd. They form a binding agreement between you and IFIS. Please read them together with our Privacy Policy.

By creating an account, enrolling in a course, registering for an event, applying for membership, making a payment, or otherwise using the Site, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Site or our services.

1. About IFIS and how to contact us

IFIS is based at Strategy Place, Trinity Building, Block 216, Plot 2475, Kayondo Road, off Ntinda-Kiwatule Road, Kalinabiri, Ntinda, P.O. Box 40292, Kampala, Uganda. You can reach us on +256 783 373 637 or +256 782 610 333, or by email at admissions@forensicsinstitute.org. Where these Terms require us to give you notice, we may do so by email to the address on your account, by a notice on the Site, or by post to the address you gave us.

2. Definitions

Account means the personal profile you use to sign in to the Site.
Course means any online or blended programme, module, lesson or assessment offered through the Site.
Certificate means a credential or certificate of completion or attendance issued by IFIS.
Event means any conference, workshop, training session, webinar or awareness activity that IFIS organises or co-organises, whether in person, online or hybrid.
Ticket means the registration and admission record, including its QR code and ticket code, issued for an Event.
Membership means membership of IFIS in any category listed on the Site.
Content means all text, lessons, videos, documents, slides, images, assessments, software, designs, logos and other material on the Site or provided as part of the services.
Fees means the prices payable for Courses, Tickets, Memberships and other paid services.

3. Eligibility and accounts

You must be at least 18 years old, or have the consent of a parent or guardian, and have the legal capacity to enter into a contract, to use the Site. When you create an account you must give accurate, current and complete information and keep it up to date. Certificates are issued in the name on your account, so please make sure it is your correct legal name.

You are responsible for keeping your password confidential and for all activity under your account. Do not share your account or log in details with anyone else; each account is for one person. Tell us immediately if you suspect unauthorised use. We are not liable for loss caused by your failure to keep your credentials secure. If your employer or sponsor registered you, you remain responsible for your use of the account.

4. Acceptable use

You agree to use the Site lawfully and respectfully. You must not:

break any law or regulation, including the Computer Misuse Act, the Data Protection and Privacy Act and the Electronic Transactions Act of Uganda;
impersonate any person, misrepresent your identity, qualifications or affiliation, or create accounts under false details;
attempt to gain unauthorised access to the Site, other users' accounts, our servers or networks, or interfere with or disrupt them, including by introducing malware, scraping, load-testing without permission, or bypassing security checks;
copy, share, record, sell, publish or redistribute Course content, assessments or answers except as these Terms allow;
cheat in an assessment, share answers, use another person to sit an assessment for you, or otherwise attempt to obtain a Certificate dishonestly;
post or transmit anything unlawful, defamatory, harassing, discriminatory, obscene, misleading, or that infringes anyone's rights, in comments, messages, forms or otherwise;
use the Site to send unsolicited commercial messages, to harvest personal data, or for any purpose other than the legitimate purpose of the service; or
use the Site or any knowledge gained from our forensics, cybersecurity and fraud-related training to commit, facilitate or conceal any crime or unauthorised access to systems or data.

We may investigate and take action against any breach, including removing content, suspending or closing accounts, revoking Certificates, and reporting unlawful activity to the authorities.

5. Courses and enrolment

Course pages describe the content, duration, assessment and fee. Enrolment is complete when you have enrolled (for free Courses) or when we have received full payment or confirmation of payment (for paid Courses). Unless a Course page says otherwise, Courses are self-paced and you may study at your own pace. Access to a Course is for your own personal, professional learning and is personal to you and non-transferable.

We make reasonable efforts to keep Course content accurate and up to date, but we may revise, reorganise, replace or withdraw content, lessons, assessments or entire Courses to reflect changes in standards, law and practice. Where we withdraw a paid Course you have not substantially completed, we will offer you a reasonable alternative or a refund of the fee you paid for it.

Group or in-house training for organisations is governed by these Terms and by any written agreement or quotation we issue for it.

6. Licence and intellectual property

All Content, and the intellectual property rights in it, belong to IFIS, Summit Consulting Ltd, our faculty or our licensors. The Site and Content are protected by copyright, trademark and other laws. "IFIS", the IFIS logo and related marks are our marks and may not be used without our written permission.

Subject to these Terms and payment of any applicable Fees, we grant you a limited, personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Content you have enrolled in, or which is made freely available, for your own non-commercial learning, and to download or print materials that we make available for download for your own reference. You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, publicly display, translate, create derivative works from, sell or commercially exploit Content, or remove copyright or other notices, without our prior written consent. You may quote short extracts with attribution for legitimate criticism, review or professional discussion.

Course materials may include third-party material used under licence, which remains the property of its owners.

7. Assessments, completion and Certificates

Each Course states how completion is measured. Generally, you must complete all lessons and pass each required assessment at or above the pass mark shown for that Course. Assessments may be timed and may allow a limited or unlimited number of attempts, as stated for that assessment. Assessment results, progress and completion are determined by our systems and are final, subject to correction of any evident error.

When you complete the requirements, we issue a Certificate in the name on your account. A Certificate records that you have completed the stated programme or attended the stated Event. It is not a professional licence, and it does not by itself entitle you to practise a regulated profession. Unless a Course page states otherwise, IFIS Certificates are issued by IFIS in its own right and are not issued on behalf of any third-party certification body.

8. Certificate verification and revocation

Every Certificate has a unique number and QR code linking to a public verification page that shows the recipient's name, programme, credential and hours, issue date and validity. You agree that this information may be shown publicly for verification purposes, as explained in our Privacy Policy. You must not alter, forge, imitate or misrepresent a Certificate.

We may revoke a Certificate, and mark it as revoked on the verification page, if we find it was obtained by cheating, impersonation, fraud or error, if it has been altered or misused, or if the holder has seriously breached these Terms or professional standards connected with the credential. We will normally tell you why and give you a chance to respond, unless that would prejudice an investigation or is not practicable.

9. CPD hours and recognition

Where we state continuing professional development (CPD) hours for a Course or Event, that is the number of hours of structured learning we allocate to it. Whether a professional body, regulator or employer accepts those hours towards its own requirements is a matter for that body or employer. We do not guarantee recognition, accreditation, employment, promotion, exam success or any other outcome from completing a Course or attending an Event. References to standards and frameworks (for example ISO, NIST, COSO, IIA and ACFE) indicate the subject matter or alignment of our content only and do not mean that those organisations endorse or accredit IFIS or our programmes, unless we expressly say so.

10. Events, conferences and Tickets

Event pages state the date, venue or online access details, programme, ticket types and Fees. A Ticket is issued once your registration is confirmed (which, for paid tickets, is when payment is confirmed). Each Ticket is for one named attendee and carries a unique QR code and ticket code. You must keep it safe and not share or publish it; if a Ticket has already been scanned or used, we may refuse entry to anyone presenting it again. You may be asked to show identification matching the name on the Ticket.

Programmes, speakers, times and venues may change. We may cancel, postpone or reschedule an Event, or change its format (for example from in person to online), for reasons including low registration, speaker unavailability, safety, regulatory or security concerns, or events beyond our control (section 24). If we cancel an Event, we will offer you either a transfer to a rescheduled date or a comparable Event or a refund of the Ticket price you paid, and we are not otherwise liable for your related costs such as travel or accommodation.

By attending an Event, you agree to follow the venue rules and reasonable instructions from our team and to behave professionally and respectfully. We may refuse entry to, or remove, anyone who does not. You acknowledge that we may photograph and record Events as described in our Privacy Policy.

Event materials, slides and papers published after an Event are provided for information and remain the property of IFIS or the speakers.

11. Membership

IFIS offers Membership in the categories described on the Membership page, each with its own eligibility criteria, benefits and fee. Applications are reviewed by IFIS and we may approve, reject or ask for more information at our discretion. Where a Membership category has a fee, Membership starts when we have approved your application and received payment. Membership lasts for the period stated for that category and is personal to the member (or, for corporate Membership, to the named organisation).

Members must act with integrity, comply with the IFIS Code of Conduct (available in our resource library) and give accurate information. We may suspend or end a Membership, without refund, where a member breaches these Terms or the Code of Conduct, misrepresents their qualifications, or brings IFIS or the profession into disrepute. We may change benefits, categories and fees for future periods, and will give reasonable notice of any change that affects an existing member's next renewal.

12. Fees, prices and payment

Fees are shown on the relevant page in the currency stated (typically US dollars for Courses and Ugandan shillings for most Events and Memberships). Prices are inclusive or exclusive of taxes as stated at checkout; where tax is payable we will show it. We may change Fees at any time, but a change does not affect an order you have already paid for. We will make reasonable efforts to correct pricing errors; if an item was priced incorrectly we may cancel the order and refund any amount paid.

Online payments are processed by our payment provider, which supports cards and mobile money. By paying you agree to the provider's terms for the payment transaction. We do not store your full card or mobile-money credentials. An order is confirmed only after the payment provider confirms successful payment to us; we may reject or cancel any order that we reasonably suspect is fraudulent or unauthorised. You are responsible for any bank, card, mobile-money or currency-conversion charges levied by your own provider. You must have authority to use the payment method you choose.

If a payment is debited but you receive no confirmation, contact us with your payment reference and we will investigate promptly. We will email a receipt or confirmation for each successful order.

13. Refunds, cancellations and transfers

Courses. If you change your mind, you may ask for a refund of a paid Course within 7 days of purchase, provided you have not completed more than 10% of the Course content and have not taken a final assessment or obtained a Certificate. After that, Course fees are non-refundable unless the law requires otherwise or we have materially failed to provide the Course as described. Where a promotion or offer states different terms, those terms apply.

Events. Tickets are normally non-refundable once issued. You may transfer a Ticket to another person by asking us to change the attendee name at least 3 working days before the Event, at no charge. If you cannot attend and cannot transfer, contact us and we will consider the request in good faith, but we are not obliged to refund. If we cancel an Event, section 10 applies.

Memberships. Membership fees are non-refundable once Membership has started, except where we have rejected or withdrawn the Membership without fault on your part, in which case we will refund the fee paid.

Making a request and refund method. Send refund requests to admissions@forensicsinstitute.org with your order reference. Approved refunds are paid by the same method used for the original payment where possible, and may take several working days to appear. Nothing in this section limits any right you have under law that cannot be excluded.

14. Resources and downloads

Our resource library contains documents such as guides, calendars, papers and slides. Each carries a description, and some are available only to signed-in users or to members. Resources are provided for your own use and information, remain subject to section 6, and are provided "as is". We may add, update or withdraw resources at any time. Information in a resource, such as dates or fees in a published calendar, may be superseded by information on the Site.

15. Comments, messages and other things you submit

If you post a comment, send us a message or submit any other material ("Your Content"), you confirm that you own it or are entitled to submit it, that it is accurate and lawful, and that it does not infringe anyone's rights. You keep ownership of Your Content, but grant IFIS a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual licence to host, display, reproduce and use it in connection with the Site and our services (for example, to publish your comment under an article). Comments by visitors who are not signed in are reviewed before they appear. We may edit for length or clarity, decline to publish, or remove any comment at our discretion, in particular if it breaches section 4, is spam, contains promotional links, or is off-topic. Opinions expressed in comments are those of their authors, not of IFIS. Your name (but not your email address) is shown with your comment.

16. Newsletters and communications

If you subscribe to our newsletter you agree to receive it until you unsubscribe, which you can do at any time using the link in every message. Regardless of your marketing choices, we will send you service messages related to your account, orders, tickets, Certificates and security, as these are necessary for the service.

17. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect and use personal data, and forms part of these Terms. By using the Site you acknowledge you have read it.

18. Third-party services and links

The Site relies on and may link to third-party services and sites, including our payment provider, email and security providers, embedded video and social media. We do not control and are not responsible for their content, availability, terms or practices. Your use of them is at your own risk and subject to their terms.

19. Availability and changes to the Site

We aim to keep the Site available and secure, but we do not guarantee that it will be uninterrupted, timely or error-free. We may suspend, restrict or change the Site or any feature, for maintenance, security, legal or operational reasons, with or without notice. We are not liable for any interruption or loss resulting from it. You are responsible for your own equipment, internet connection and software, and for backing up anything you need to keep.

20. Disclaimers

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Site, the Content and the services are provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, accuracy or completeness. The Content is for education and general information only. It is not legal, financial, audit, investigative, security, tax or other professional advice, and you should not rely on it as a substitute for advice from a qualified professional who knows your circumstances. Techniques taught in cybersecurity, forensics and fraud-examination training must be used only lawfully and with proper authority.

21. Limitation of liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability that cannot be excluded or limited by law, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for fraud. Subject to that, and to the fullest extent permitted by law: (a) IFIS, Summit Consulting Ltd and our directors, staff, faculty, partners and suppliers are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential or punitive loss, or for loss of profit, revenue, business, goodwill, opportunity or data, arising out of or connected with the Site or our services; and (b) our total liability to you for any claim arising out of or connected with the Site or our services is limited to the amount you paid to us for the specific Course, Ticket or Membership to which the claim relates, in the 12 months before the claim arose.

22. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless IFIS, Summit Consulting Ltd and our directors, staff, faculty and partners from any claim, loss, liability, cost or expense (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your breach of these Terms, your misuse of the Site, Your Content, or your infringement of any law or third-party right.

23. Suspension and termination

You may stop using the Site and close your account at any time by contacting us, subject to our rights to keep records as described in the Privacy Policy. We may suspend or terminate your account, access to Courses, Tickets or Membership, immediately and without liability if you breach these Terms, if we reasonably suspect fraud, abuse or a security risk, if required by law, or if we discontinue a service (in which case section 5 applies). On termination for your breach you are not entitled to a refund, and the provisions which by their nature should survive (including sections 6, 8, 15, 20 to 22 and 25) will continue to apply.

24. Events beyond our control

We are not liable for any delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, epidemics, power or internet failures, strikes, government action, civil unrest, cyber-attacks, supplier or payment-provider failure, or venue unavailability. We will use reasonable efforts to resume performance or offer an alternative as soon as practicable.

25. Governing law and disputes

These Terms and any dispute connected with them or the Site are governed by the laws of the Republic of Uganda. If a dispute arises, please first contact us so that we can try to resolve it informally. If it is not resolved within 30 days, the parties will try in good faith to settle it by mediation before starting court proceedings. Subject to that, the courts of Uganda have exclusive jurisdiction, except that we may seek injunctive or other urgent relief in any competent court to protect our intellectual property or the security of the Site.

26. General

Entire agreement. These Terms, the Privacy Policy and any specific terms stated on a Course, Event or Membership page or in a written agreement with us form the whole agreement between you and IFIS about the Site and services. If there is a conflict, the more specific terms prevail over these general Terms.
Severability. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the rest remains in force, and the provision will be replaced by a valid one that comes closest to its intent.
No waiver. A failure or delay by us in enforcing a right is not a waiver of it.
Assignment. You may not transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our written consent. We may transfer ours to a successor or affiliate.
Third parties. Only you and IFIS have rights under these Terms, except that Summit Consulting Ltd and our staff, faculty and partners may rely on the protections given to them.
Electronic communications. You agree that we may communicate with you electronically and that electronic records, including our system logs, are valid evidence.
Language. These Terms are written in English, which prevails over any translation.

27. Changes to these Terms

We may amend these Terms from time to time, for example to reflect changes in our services or the law. The "last updated" date at the top of the page shows when they last changed. If a change is material we will give reasonable notice on the Site or by email. Changes apply from the date stated and do not affect an order you have already paid for, except where the law requires. Continuing to use the Site after the change means you accept the revised Terms. If you do not accept them, you must stop using the Site.

28. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to admissions@forensicsinstitute.org, or by post to the Institute of Forensics & ICT Security, Strategy Place, Trinity Building, Plot 2475 Kayondo Road, Ntinda, P.O. Box 40292, Kampala, Uganda.

Terms of use