Site usage information – Log files and Google Analytics
This website uses log files and Google Analytics to track visits to the website in order to inform changes to the layout of the site and to the information on it, based on the way that visitors move around it.
Log files do not contain any personal information but may record the IP address, the type of web browser and operating system used during a visit to the website. This information will be kept securely on computer by Microsoft Azure, the technology providers for the website.
Google Analytics is a web analytics service provided by Google, Inc. Google Analytics uses cookies to help the website analyse how users use the site. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) and 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.
Throughout our website, we have a LinkedIn Insights tag which collects user data matching it up with LinkedIn data and serving relevant ads when possible through the social platform. The cookie lasts for 90 days and collects relevant information needed to serve ads such as user and IP address. To opt out or see more information about the settings go to the following link; https://www.linkedin.com/psettings/guest-controls/retargeting-opt-out?trk.
Throughout our website, we have Facebook cookies to track users coming from our Facebook channels or ads. The purpose of this information is to track user behaviour and acquisition data as well as the performance of ads and potential to deliver ads. You are able to opt-out here; https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/. To read more about Facebook cookies go to the following link; https://www.facebook.com/policies/cookies/.
Throughout our website, we have a Twitter pixel which collects user data matching it up with Twitter data and serving relevant ads when possible throughout the Twitter social platform, no personal information is collected. The cookie lasts for 30 days. To opt-out or see more information about the settings go to the following link; https://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/privacy-controls-for-tailored-ads. You can find further information on data protection at Twitter and Twitter advertising here; https://business.twitter.com/en/help/troubleshooting/how-twitter-ads-work.html. Twitter does also support the “Do Not Track” option. You can activate this here; https://help.twitter.com/en/safety-and-security/twitter-do-not-track.
YouTube
YouTube cookies may be stored into your browser once you have viewed videos that are embedded across our website. This is to collect data such as length of video watched etc. YouTube won’t store information about our visitors unless they play the video. For more information on managing your privacy across the platform please go to; https://support.google.com/youtube/topic/2803240?visit_id=637018178548372977-1981008052&rd=1
External links
www.hsf.ie is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Use of information we collect through automated systems when you visit our website
Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer’s hard drive by your web browser when you visit any website. They allow information gathered on one web page to be stored until it is needed for use on another, allowing a website to provide you with a personalised experience and the website owner with statistics about how you use the website so that it can be improved.
Some cookies may last for a defined period of time, such as one day or until you close your browser. Others last indefinitely.
Your web browser should allow you to delete any you choose. It also should allow you to prevent or limit their use.
Our website uses cookies. They are placed by software that operates on our servers, and by software operated by third parties whose services we use.
When you first visit our website, we ask you whether you wish us to use cookies. If you choose not to accept them, we shall not use them for your visit except to record that you have not consented to their use for any other purpose.
If you choose not to use cookies or you prevent their use through your browser settings, you will not be able to use all the functionality of our website.
We use cookies in the following ways:
- to track how you use our website
- to record whether you have seen specific messages we display on our website
- to keep you signed in our site
- to record your answers to surveys and questionnaires on our site while you complete them.
Personal identifiers from your browsing activity
Requests by your web browser to our servers for web pages and other content on our website are recorded.
We record information such as your geographical location, your Internet service provider and your IP address. We also record information about the software you are using to browse our website, such as the type of computer or device and the screen resolution. We use this information in aggregate to assess the popularity of the webpages on our website and how we perform in providing content to you.
If combined with other information we know about you from previous visits, the data possibly could be used to identify you personally, even if you are not signed into our website.
Encryption of data sent between us
We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates to verify our identity to your browser and to encrypt any data you give us.
Whenever information is transferred between us, you can check that it is done so using SSL by looking for a closed padlock symbol or other trust mark in your browser’s URL bar or toolbar.
Last updated December 2020.