Terms ofService

Introduction

Welcome to CIO247 ("we," "our," or "us"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of our website at cio247.com and our services, including our Virtual CIO AI service (collectively, the "Service").

By accessing or using our Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you disagree with any part of these terms, then you may not access the Service.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using CIO247, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. Additionally, when using this website's particular services, you shall be subject to any posted guidelines or rules applicable to such services.

If you do not agree to abide by the above, please do not use this service.

Description of Service

Free Knowledge Resources

CIO247 provides free access to:

• IT operations guidance and frameworks
• Cybersecurity implementation guides
• Leadership development resources
• Templates, checklists, and playbooks
• Educational content and best practices

Virtual CIO AI Service

Our paid Virtual CIO AI service provides:

• Personalized IT strategy recommendations
• Interactive AI-powered guidance
• Strategic planning assistance
• Custom advice based on your specific context

User Accounts

Account Creation

To access certain features of our Service, you may be required to create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain the security of your password and account
• Update your information as necessary to keep it accurate and complete
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

Account Responsibilities

• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account
• You may not transfer your account to another person
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms

Acceptable Use Policy

Permitted Uses

You may use our Service to:

• Access and download our free knowledge resources
• Interact with our Virtual CIO AI for legitimate business purposes
• Share our content with appropriate attribution
• Use our templates and frameworks in your organization

Prohibited Uses

You may not use our Service to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Distribute malware or engage in harmful activities
• Use automated tools to scrape or harvest content without permission
• Resell or redistribute our paid services without authorization
• Submit false, misleading, or harmful information
• Impersonate others or misrepresent your identity

Intellectual Property Rights

Our Content

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are and will remain the exclusive property of CIO247 and its licensors. The Service is protected by copyright, trademark, and other laws.

License to Use

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to:

• Access and use our free resources for legitimate business purposes
• Download and use our templates and frameworks in your organization
• Share our content with proper attribution to CIO247

User Content

By submitting content to our Service (such as questions to our AI or feedback), you grant us a worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, and display such content for the purpose of providing and improving our services.

Payment Terms

Free Services

Our knowledge resources, templates, and basic content are provided free of charge. We reserve the right to modify or discontinue free services at any time.

Paid Services

For our Virtual CIO AI service:

• Subscription fees are billed in advance
• All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated
• We reserve the right to change pricing with 30 days notice
• You may cancel your subscription at any time
• Service continues until the end of your current billing period

Billing and Disputes

• Billing disputes must be reported within 30 days
• Failure to pay may result in service suspension
• You are responsible for applicable taxes

Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information when you use our Service. By using our Service, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Data Retention

We retain your data as outlined in our Privacy Policy, including:

• Account information until deletion is requested
• AI interaction data for service improvement
• Analytics data in aggregated, anonymized form

Data Security

While we implement security measures to protect your data, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. You acknowledge that you provide information at your own risk.

Disclaimers and Limitations

Service Availability

We strive to provide reliable service but cannot guarantee 100% uptime. The Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied.

Content Accuracy

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information:

• Information is provided for general guidance only
• It should not replace professional advice
• We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of content
• You should verify information independently

AI Service Limitations

Our Virtual CIO AI service:

• Provides general guidance based on available information
• Should not replace professional consulting services
• May not be suitable for all situations or organizations
• Is continuously being improved and may have limitations

Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, CIO247 shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses.

Our total liability to you for all claims arising from or relating to the Service shall not exceed the amount you paid us in the twelve (12) months preceding the claim, or AUD $100, whichever is greater.

Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CIO247 and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees) arising from:

• Your use of and access to the Service
• Your violation of any term of these Terms
• Your violation of any third party right
• Any claim that your use caused damage to a third party

Termination

Termination by You

You may terminate your account at any time by:

• Contacting us to delete your account
• Canceling your subscription (for paid services)
• Simply discontinuing use of the Service

Termination by Us

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service:

• For violation of these Terms
• For illegal or harmful activity
• If we discontinue the Service
• For non-payment of fees (for paid services)

Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service will cease immediately
• We may delete your account and data
• These Terms will remain in effect regarding past use

Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms shall be interpreted and governed by the laws of Australia, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action or proceeding relating to your access to or use of the Service shall be instituted in Australian courts.

Dispute Resolution

We encourage you to contact us first to resolve any disputes. If we cannot resolve a dispute informally:

• Disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration
• Arbitration will be conducted in accordance with Australian law
• You waive any right to a jury trial or class action

Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material, we will try to provide at least 30 days notice prior to any new terms taking effect.

We will notify you of changes by:

• Posting the new Terms on this page
• Updating the "Last updated" date
• Sending you an email notification (for significant changes)
• Displaying a notice on our website

Your continued use of the Service after any changes indicates your acceptance of the new Terms.

Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be unenforceable or invalid, such provision will be changed and interpreted to accomplish the objectives of such provision to the greatest extent possible under applicable law and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

Entire Agreement

These Terms of Service, together with our Privacy Policy and any other legal notices published by us on the Service, shall constitute the entire agreement between you and CIO247 concerning the Service.

These Terms supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals between you and us regarding the Service.