Privacy Policy

AFCEA International Privacy Policy

Last Revision: August 2023

AFCEA International (AFCEA), a member-based, non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, respects the privacy of its members and other visitors to its websites. AFCEA strongly believes that if electronic commerce and online activities are to flourish, consumers must be assured that information provided online is used responsibly and appropriately. To protect online privacy, AFCEA has implemented the following policy which together with our Terms and Conditions govern AFCEA’s relationship with you in relation to this website.

This privacy statement covers the site(s) *.afcea.org.

If users have questions or concerns regarding this statement, they should contact our Customer Service Department by email, by telephone at (703) 631-6100, by facsimile at (703) 631-6160, or by postal service at the following address: AFCEA International, ATTN: Customer Service, 4114 Legato Road, Suite 1000, Fairfax, VA 22033.

What Information Does AFCEA Collect?

Data AFCEA collects is used only to help AFCEA better serve its members and customers. It is our policy to collect and store only personal information that is knowingly provided. If our privacy policies change, we may notify all users by e-mail or by announcement placed on the website.

From General Users

AFCEA does not collect any personal information from anonymous users browsing its website other than the public IP address. Though we collect IP address information we do not link an IP address to a user’s personal information. Only aggregate data, such as the number of hits per page, are used. Aggregate data are only used for internal and marketing analytics purposes and do not provide any personally identifying information.

From AFCEA Members, Conference Registrants and Other Customers

To gain access to members-only resources and personalization features on the AFCEA website, members are asked to use their username and password. AFCEA asks other users to provide their name, organization name, business phone and e-mail. Credit card information is collected from an individual when joining or renewing a membership, registering for an educational course, or event, or purchasing other goods or services. This data is submitted voluntarily. Similar information may be submitted to AFCEA through membership applications, conference or seminar registrations, publication orders, and subscriptions. Additionally, for some emails sent in HTML format by AFCEA to its members and other customers, AFCEA may collect specific information regarding what the recipient does with that email. For those emails, AFCEA may monitor whether a recipient subsequently clicks through to links provided in the message. Other information collected through this tracking feature includes: email address of a user, the date and time of the user’s “click,” a message number, name of the list from which the message was sent, tracking URL number and destination page. AFCEA will only use this information to enhance its services and distribution of those services to its members and other customers. This information will not be distributed in any other manner without user consent.

How Does AFCEA Use Cookies?

A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. Cookies used on our websites do not contain personally identifiable information. We use nonpersistent, session-based cookies, which terminate when the browser is closed. A non-persistent cookie in the browser’s memory, is set whenever the user is authenticated during login. In subsequent transactions with protected pages, this cookie helps us re-authenticate the user. All cookies generated by activities with the AFCEA sites terminate when the browser is closed.

How Does AFCEA Use Data Collected?

AFCEA uses information voluntarily submitted by members and other customers in the following ways:

AFCEA Member Services and Products

AFCEA, its direct subsidiaries and designated contractors use data collected to maintain the user’s membership, mail the SIGNAL Magazine and provide requested services (i.e., courses and events.) In addition, this information may be used to improve AFCEA’s web content; to respond to members’ interests, needs and preferences; and to develop new products and services.

Disclosures to Third Parties

AFCEA makes member contact information available to other members through the “members only” portion of its portal using a search function. AFCEA does not sell member information to anyone. Member personal information is not shared with third parties other than those acting as agents of this organization and as directed by AFCEA. For example, a third party may act as our agent, acting as event registration manager, for AFCEA sponsored events. Therefore, if a user registers for an event, they may be directed to an event specific website. A third party acting on behalf of AFCEA may collect event registration information for the purpose of managing the event on behalf of AFCEA.

Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our website.

AFCEA is subject to the investigatory and enforcement powers of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

AFCEA will disclose personal information in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements.

AFCEA uses third-party services that may collect information on your use of this site through the use of cookies and web beacons as follows:

This website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. (“Google”). Google Analytics uses “cookies”, which are text files placed on your computer, to help the website analyze how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States. Google will use this information for the purpose of evaluating your use of the website, compiling reports on website activity for website operators and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage. Google may also transfer this information to third parties where required to do so by law, or where such third parties process the information on Google's behalf. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser; however, please note that if you do this, you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website. By using this website, you consent to the processing of data about you by Google in the manner and for the purposes set out above.

Credit Card Account Information

AFCEA does not disclose credit card account information provided by its members and customers. When members and customers choose to pay using their credit cards, AFCEA submits the information needed to obtain payment to the appropriate clearinghouse. All sensitive data, such as credit card information, is transmitted via SSL encryption.

How can users opt out of email/phone communications and/or unsubscribe?

AFCEA uses email addresses to market event and media-related content we distribute. We use physical addresses to mail membership-related material and to deliver print copies of our monthly SIGNAL Magazine publication as requested by members. We currently use phone numbers only when no response is received to an email inquiry, phone has been selected by a user as the preferred communication channel, or additional follow-up is required for customer support that is best addressed over the phone.

Users who wish to opt out of receiving email communications from AFCEA and its partners may do so by using our online opt-out form, contacting our Customer Service Center by email or telephone at (703) 631-6100, or by postal service at AFCEA International, ATTN: Customer Service, 4114 Legato Rd Ste 1000, Fairfax, VA 22033.

Users who wish to unsubscribe from receiving print copies of SIGNAL Magazine may do so by contacting our Customer Service Center by email or telephone at (703) 631-6100, or by postal service at AFCEA International, ATTN: Customer Service, 4114 Legato Rd Ste 1000, Fairfax, VA 22033.

Users can request to be put on our Do Not Call list by contacting our Customer Service Center by email or telephone at (703) 631-6100, or by postal service at AFCEA International, ATTN: Customer Service, 4114 Legato Rd Ste 1000, Fairfax, VA 22033.

How can users access information they have submitted through the website?

Members of AFCEA have direct access to review, update and/or correct their personal information through the members-only portion of the website which is accessible only by using their username and password. Event registrants and other nonmember users can gain access to their data for review and correction by contacting the Customer Service Center by email, or by telephone at (703) 631-6100. Member data may be purged completely from our systems via a written request to our service center.

Data Protection and Transfer of Information Overseas

We are committed to protecting the security of information. We use a variety of security technologies and procedures to help protect your Personal Data from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure, as well as from misuse, interference or loss. We store all information in electronic form. The data collected is maintained in databases that are housed on equipment stored in secure, limited access facilities. Access to personal information is restricted to those employees that are responsible for collecting the data and those whose duties require them to use the data. All such information is maintained in the United States and in Belgium, where it is stored in secure servers that are protected in controlled facilities. We constantly monitor and regularly update our security procedures to ensure that the information we collect and store is as secure as reasonably possible.

In the event we transfer your Personal Data, we will take appropriate measures to protect your privacy and the Personal Data we transfer. Should we need to transfer your Personal Data for purposes other than for providing the services and in accordance with this policy, we will, to the extent permitted by law, obtain assurances from the recipients that they will safeguard your Personal Data in a manner that is consistent with this policy. In addition, if we learn that an agent is using or disclosing your Personal Data in a manner that is contrary to this policy, we will take reasonable steps to prevent or stop such use or disclosure. AFCEA may be liable for onward transfers of Personal Data to third parties in violation of this policy and the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF).

What Privacy Issues Arise with Links to Other Sites?

This website contains links to other websites. AFCEA has no control over and is not responsible for the privacy policies or content of such sites.

Consent to Use Personal Information and Dispute Resolution

For the purposes of the Data Protection Act(s) 1984 and 1998 (as applicable), and in compliance with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF), AFCEA or its agents must store, host and otherwise process the information (including personal data) supplied by the user when registering for this website. AFCEA may send such data outside the European Economic Area for processing. Voluntary provision of information to AFCEA will be considered consent for AFCEA to use that information in the manner and for the purposes stated above.

Except for transfers of information as described herein, we will not disclose any of your Personal Data to third parties without giving you the choice to opt-out of such of disclosure.

AFCEA complies with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) regarding the collection, use, and retention of personal information from European Union member countries. To learn more about the Data Privacy Framework program, and to view AFCEA’s certification, please visit https://www.dataprivacyframework.gov

AFCEA has certified that it adheres to the Data Privacy Framework principles of Notice; Choice; Accountability for Onward Transfer; Security; Data Integrity and Purpose Limitation; Access; and Recourse, Enforcement and Liability. If there is any conflict between the policies in this Privacy Policy and the Data Privacy Framework principles, the Data Privacy Framework principles shall govern.

What Means of Redress Are Available?

If any user suspects AFCEA has handled its personal information in a manner that does not comply with this privacy statement, please contact us by email or by calling (703) 631-6100.

If, after contacting our Customer Service Center, the user continues to be dissatisfied with AFCEA’s handling of their personal information, our CIO should be contacted by email or by calling (703) 631-6100.

In compliance with the Data Privacy Framework Principles, AFCEA commits to resolve complaints about our collection or use of your personal information. EU and Swiss individuals with inquiries or complaints regarding our Data Privacy Framework policy should first contact AFCEA International by email or by calling +1 (703) 631-6100.

For issues regarding the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework program or General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance that cannot be resolved by contacting our Customer Service Center or the AFCEA CIO, users may contact the EU Data Protection Authorities for dispute resolution. Individuals may have the option to select binding arbitration under the Data Privacy Framework Panel for the resolution of your complaint under certain circumstances. For further information, please see the Data Privacy Framework website.

AFCEA has further committed to refer unresolved Data Privacy Framework complaints to the International Centre for Dispute Resolution, an alternative dispute resolution provider located in the United States. If you do not receive timely acknowledgment of your complaint from us, or if we have not addressed your complaint to your satisfaction, please visit https://www.icdr.org for more information or to file a complaint. The services of ICDR are provided at no cost to you.