Terms & Conditions - S2 Academy

1. Introduction

Welcome to S2 Academy ("the Service", "the Platform", "we", "our", "us"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the S2 Academy website, lab devices, and related services.

By accessing or using S2 Academy, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Service immediately.

2. Beta Status

S2 Academy is currently provided in a beta phase.

During this period:

• Access to lab devices is free of charge
• Features may be updated, changed, or temporarily unavailable
• Service reliability and performance may vary
• We may limit, revoke, or adjust access where needed for stability or security
• User feedback will help shape the platform's development

We aim to deliver a smooth experience, but the beta phase may involve ongoing refinement and improvements. We appreciate your patience and feedback during this period.

3. Future Paid Subscriptions

S2 Academy plans to introduce paid subscription plans in 2026.

By using the Service during the beta period, you acknowledge that:

• Free access may end when paid plans launch
• Pricing, subscription tiers, and entitlements will be announced in advance
• Continued use of the Service after paid plans begin may require a paid subscription
• We will provide reasonable notice before transitioning to a paid model

When paid plans are introduced:

• Subscription fees will be charged in advance (monthly or annually)
• Payment processing will be handled by secure third-party providers (Stripe, PayPal, or similar)
• Prices may be displayed in multiple currencies (GBP, USD, EUR)
• Refund policies will be specified at the time of purchase
• You may cancel your subscription at any time, subject to the refund policy then in effect

4. Age Restrictions

The Service is intended for users aged 13 and above.

• Users under 18 must have parental or guardian consent to use the Service
• Users under 13 are not permitted to use the Service under any circumstances
• We reserve the right to request proof of age or parental consent

By using the Service, you confirm that you meet these age requirements.

5. User Accounts

Account Creation:

• You must provide accurate and complete information when creating an account
• You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials
• You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account

Account Responsibility:

• You are responsible for all activity conducted through your account
• Sharing accounts or allowing others to use your credentials is strictly prohibited
• We are not responsible for unauthorized access resulting from credential misuse

Account Deletion:

• You may request account deletion at any time by contacting contact@s2academy.net
• We will delete your personal data within 30 days, except where retention is required by law or for legitimate business purposes
• Deletion is permanent and cannot be reversed

6. Acceptable Use Policy

Users must use the Service responsibly and exclusively for educational purposes.

You agree NOT to:

• Attempt to access, interfere with, or modify lab devices you are not assigned
• Attempt to bypass device isolation, network controls, VLAN configurations, or security measures
• Use lab devices to access external networks, launch attacks, or scan systems unless explicitly permitted as part of an exercise
• Conduct unauthorized penetration testing, brute-force attacks, denial-of-service attacks, or exploitation attempts
• Upload, download, store, or distribute malicious code, viruses, or harmful software
• Share your account, credentials, or session access with others
• Use automated scripts, bots, or tools to access the Service without explicit permission
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to other users' sessions, devices, or data
• Engage in any unlawful, abusive, fraudulent, or harmful behavior
• Use the Service in any manner that could damage, disable, or impair the platform or other users' experience
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to extract source code from the platform

Enforcement:

• We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these rules without prior notice
• Serious violations may be reported to relevant authorities
• Repeated violations will result in warnings, followed by suspension or termination

7. Access to Network Devices

S2 Academy provides access to physical and virtual network devices for educational use.

Device Usage:

• Lab sessions are isolated using VLANs to prevent users from interfering with each other
• Devices may be shared among users at different times
• Device configurations may be reset without notice between sessions or at regular intervals
• We reserve the right to monitor, reset, reconfigure, or disable devices at any time

Session Monitoring:

We may monitor and log the following for security, service improvement, and Terms enforcement:

• Login times and session durations
• Commands entered on devices and configuration changes
• IP addresses and connection metadata
• Device resource usage and performance metrics

This monitoring is necessary to maintain service security and quality. By using the Service, you consent to this monitoring.

Session Limitations:

• Session durations may be limited
• Concurrent user limits may apply to ensure fair access
• Bandwidth and resource usage may be restricted
• Idle sessions may be automatically disconnected

Data Persistence:

• Content stored or created on lab devices (configurations, files, scripts) may be altered, reset, or deleted at any time
• We do not guarantee the preservation of any work performed on lab devices
• Users should save important work externally

8. Service Availability

The Service is provided on an "as available" and "as is" basis.

We do not guarantee:

• Uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free operation
• The preservation of data, configurations, or user work on lab devices
• Compatibility with all browsers, networks, operating systems, or devices
• Continuous availability of all lab devices or features
• That the Service will meet your specific requirements

Service Interruptions:

• Temporary interruptions may occur due to maintenance, upgrades, or technical issues
• Scheduled maintenance will be announced in advance where practical
• Emergency maintenance may occur without notice
• Service capacity may be reduced during peak usage

9. Data Protection & Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. This section provides an overview, but please refer to our Privacy Policy for complete details on how we collect, use, and protect your data.

Data Collection:

We collect and process:

• Account information (email address, name if provided)
• Login and session activity (IP addresses, timestamps, session duration)
• Device usage logs (commands, configurations, performance metrics)
• Communication records (support emails, feedback)

Data Location:

• While S2 Academy is operated from the United Kingdom, parts of our infrastructure may be hosted in the United States
• Your use of the Service signifies your understanding and acceptance that data may be processed or stored outside your country of residence
• We use appropriate safeguards to protect data transferred internationally

Legal Basis (GDPR):

• We process data based on: contract performance, consent, legitimate interests, and legal obligations
• You have rights including access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection
• See our Privacy Policy for details on exercising these rights

Cookies:

• We use cookies for authentication, session management, and service functionality
• See our Cookie Policy for details
• You can control cookie settings through your browser
• When you first visit S2 Academy, you will be asked to consent to our use of cookies in accordance with this policy and UK/EU data protection law

10. Third-Party Services

The Service uses third-party providers for various functions:

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) for hosting and infrastructure
• Email service provider for communications (to be specified)
• Payment processors for future transactions
• Analytics tools for service improvement

These providers have their own terms of service and privacy policies. We are not responsible for their practices or services.

11. Intellectual Property

Ownership:

• All content, design, software code, documentation, and materials on S2 Academy are the intellectual property of S2 Academy or its licensors
• This includes but is not limited to: website design, platform code, tutorials, documentation, logos, and trademarks

Restrictions:

You may not:

• Copy, reproduce, redistribute, or republish platform code or content without permission
• Use S2 Academy branding, names, logos, or trademarks without explicit written consent
• Reverse-engineer, decompile, or attempt to replicate the platform or backend systems
• Create derivative works based on the Service
• Frame or mirror any part of the Service without authorization

User-Generated Content:

• Configurations, scripts, or documentation you create on lab devices remain your intellectual property
• By using the Service, you grant us a license to use this content for service operation and improvement
• We will not share your configurations with third parties without permission

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law:

• We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages arising from your use of the Service
• This includes but is not limited to: loss of data, configurations, work, profits, revenue, business opportunities, or access
• Our total liability for any direct losses is limited to the greater of:
  • (a) fees you paid in the 12 months prior to the claim, or
  • (b) £100 during the free beta period

Exclusions that Cannot Be Limited:

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under UK law

Service Risks:

You acknowledge and accept the risks associated with using the Service, including:

• Technical failures, bugs, or security vulnerabilities
• Data loss or corruption
• Service interruptions or unavailability
• Actions of other users
• Errors in lab device configurations or documentation

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless S2 Academy, its operators, employees, contractors, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:

• Your use or misuse of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any applicable laws or regulations
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any activity conducted under your account, whether authorized or unauthorized
• Content you submit or actions you take on lab devices

This indemnification obligation survives termination of your account or these Terms.

14. Account Suspension and Termination

Our Rights:

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate your account at our discretion, including but not limited to:

• Violations of these Terms or Acceptable Use Policy
• Suspicious, harmful, unauthorized, or fraudulent behavior
• Attempts to compromise service stability, security, or device integrity
• Non-payment of fees (when applicable)
• Prolonged inactivity
• Legal or regulatory requirements

Notice:

• We will provide reasonable notice of termination where practical
• In cases of serious violations or security threats, termination may be immediate without notice
• We are not obligated to provide reasons for termination

Effects of Termination:

• Your access to the Service will be revoked
• All data, configurations, and content on lab devices associated with your account may be deleted
• Any outstanding fees remain payable
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive (liability, indemnification, governing law) will continue to apply

Your Rights:

• You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us
• Termination does not entitle you to refunds for unused subscription time, except as specified in our refund policy

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in our Service or business practices
• New features or functionality
• Legal, regulatory, or security requirements
• User feedback or operational improvements

Notification:

• Updated Terms will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date and version number
• For material changes, we will notify users via email or prominent website notice at least 14 days before changes take effect
• Your continued use of the Service after updated Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of those changes

If you do not agree to updated Terms:

• You should discontinue use of the Service
• You may contact us to request account deletion

16. Dispute Resolution

Informal Resolution:

• We encourage users to contact us first at contact@s2academy.net to resolve any issues or disputes
• We commit to responding within 5 business days and working in good faith toward a resolution
• Many disputes can be resolved quickly through direct communication

Formal Disputes:

• If a dispute cannot be resolved informally within 30 days, it will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales
• You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of these courts
• Each party will bear its own costs unless otherwise ordered by the court

17. Governing Law

These Terms, and any disputes arising from or related to them, are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles.

The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods does not apply to these Terms.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction:

• That provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable
• If modification is not possible, the provision will be severed from these Terms
• The remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and S2 Academy regarding the Service.

They supersede all prior or contemporaneous communications, proposals, or agreements (whether oral or written) between you and S2 Academy.

20. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights or provisions.

Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of S2 Academy.

21. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent.

We may assign or transfer our rights and obligations under these Terms without restriction, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or by operation of law.

22. Contact Information

23. Acknowledgment

By using S2 Academy, you acknowledge that:

• You have read and understood these Terms
• You agree to be bound by these Terms
• You meet the age requirements specified in Section 4
• You will use the Service in accordance with these Terms and all applicable laws

Thank you for using S2 Academy. We're excited to support your networking education journey!