Protecting your privacy and the confidentiality of your personal information has always been fundamental to C.S.T. Savings Inc., C.S.T Spark Inc., and the Canadian Scholarship Trust Foundation (the “Foundation”) (collectively CST) whether we conduct business with you through the Internet or over the phone.

We are committed to evolving our security practices to address emerging threats and ensure the safety of your information across all digital interactions.

As you navigate our website, we may collect information with commonly used information-gathering tools, such as cookies and Web beacons (Website Navigational Information). Website Navigational Information includes standard information from your web browser (such as browser type and browser language), your Internet Protocol or IP address, and the actions you take on our website (such as the web pages viewed, and the links clicked) and when you viewed them (date and time).

The purpose of collecting this information is to enhance your user experience and improve our services. We are committed to providing you with options to manage your privacy preferences, including the ability to opt out of non-essential cookies. Our practices are designed to comply with privacy and data protection regulations, ensuring robust protection of your data.

When expressing an interest in obtaining additional information about the Canadian Scholarship Trust Plans or the CST Spark Education Portfolios, applying for a financial award or bursary (collectively, the awards) or registering to use one of our websites or other services, we require your personal contact information, such as name, address, phone number, and email address. If you have provided personal identifying information via the website or in an e-mail, this information will only be used to satisfy your specific needs and to provide you better customer service.

You will find direct links on our site to other websites. These third-party sites are not covered by this Security Statement.

It is CST’s policy to comply with all federal and provincial laws pertaining to the privacy and confidentiality of prospect, customer, beneficiary and award applicant information. In addition, it is inherent in the financial services business that we have a duty to protect the confidentiality and private nature of your records. Please see our Privacy Policy which sets out the way we will collect, use, disclose and otherwise manage your personal information.

We specify the types of information collected and the reasons for their collection in our Privacy Policy, including details on data retention and secure disposal practices. Our policy also outlines how you can access, correct, or delete your personal information, ensuring your rights are fully respected. Is this correct?

Encryption

Encryption is the process of scrambling data into an unreadable format that is more secure for transmission over the Internet. Very similar to secret code, encryption takes your data and uses complex mathematical equations called algorithms to scramble the information into an unreadable format called ciphertext. The ciphertext is impossible to read without having a key to unscramble the information to its original form.

Our encryption processes secure data in transit and at rest, using advanced standards such as AES 256-bit encryption. We conduct regular audits and update our encryption methods to address emerging threats, ensuring your information remains protected against unauthorized access.

Use of links

Links to other websites are not endorsements or approvals of such sites, the third parties named therein, or their products and services. CST cannot assume any responsibility for the availability of, or the content located on or through any external site and assumes no liability for any incompatibility, non-suitability, viruses or other destructive/disruptive components on or from such sites.

We advise users to be cautious and have implemented regular reviews of linked sites for security compliance. This ensures that we maintain a high standard of safety for our users when navigating to third-party sites.

Use of email

Email over the internet is not a secure medium and privacy cannot be assured. CST cannot assume any responsibility for any harm or damage you may experience or incur by sending personal or confidential information to CST over the Internet by email, or if we send such information at your request.

We encourage the use of secure alternatives for transmitting sensitive information, including encrypted email tools or secure messaging services available through our website.