Privacy and Cookies Policy

Privacy notice

The information you provide to us is needed for us to manage your membership of, and / or participation in, the UK Access Management federation, operated by Jisc. We’ll use it, as described in our standard privacy notice (at https://www.jisc.ac.uk/website/privacy-notice), to provide the service you’ve requested, as well as to identify problems or ways to make the service better. We’ll keep the information until we are told that you no longer wish to be a member and / or participant. This service is covered by Jisc’s ISO`27001 Information Security certification.

Cookies Policy

The UK Access Management Federation for Education and Research is operated by Jisc. The UK federation provides a single solution to accessing online resources and services for education and research. We are committed to preserving your privacy. Please read the following carefully to understand how we use and protect the information obtained from those using the sites or services that the UK federation provides ("the Services and the Sites"). This policy (together with any separate terms of use document applicable to any Service) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us.

Cookies

A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your device if you agree. The Central Discovery Service (WAYF) uses a cookie to remember your choice of host institution. This cookie enables us to store information about your choice of host institution, and so allow us to customise the Site by creating a shortcut to your choice of home institution.

You may refuse to accept cookies by activating the setting on your browser which allows you to refuse the setting of cookies. However, if you select this setting you will have to search for your institution each time you access the Central Discovery Service. Unless you have adjusted your browser setting so that it will refuse cookies, our system will issue cookies when you log on to use any Service.

Further detailed information about the cookies we use and how to refuse cookies.

Security

We employ security measures to protect your information from access by unauthorised persons and against unlawful processing, accidental loss, destruction or damage.

Please help us keep our records updated by informing us of any changes to your e-mail address and other contact details.

Changes To Our Privacy Policy

We may amend this privacy policy from time to time. If we make any substantial changes we will notify you by posting a prominent notice on the relevant Sites.

Your Rights

You have the right to ask for a copy of the personal information about you which is held by us in our records, in return for which we are permitted to charge a small fee.

The Sites may, from time to time, contain links to websites of third parties. If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that these websites have their own privacy policies and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these policies. Please check these policies before you submit any personal data to these websites.

Contact Us

If you have any queries concerning your personal information or any questions on our use of the information, then please contact the UK federation helpdesk at service@ukfederation.org.uk.

UK federation Cookies Policy

Types of Cookies We Use

We use a functionality cookie in the Central Discovery Service to remember your choice of home institution. We want to be open in the way we use cookies, and to help you make informed choices about the information you provide to us and third parties when you visit our website.

"A cookie is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies are then sent back to originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user's device".
From the Information Commissioner's Office guidance on use of cookies

Why and how we use cookies

We set a cookie in the Central Discovery Service to remember your choice of home institution.This allows us to present a shortcut to your identity provider when you next visit the Central Discovery Service.

This cookie is placed on your device by the UK federation and is retained in your browser for six months.

How to block cookies

You can restrict or block cookies which are set during your use of the website by changing your browser's settings. Some pages may not work if you completely disable cookies, but many third party cookies can be safely blocked.

Check information in your browser's help section for specific instructions on how to manage cookies. Alternatively, websites such as "All About Cookies" provide comprehensive guidance.

Guide to managing cookies - All About Cookies website

Cookies set across the UK federation Services and Sites

We set the following cookies.

CookieCookie name(s)Data storedWhen does it expire?Description
Discovery History Cookie_saml_idpCharacter string.This cookie expires 6 months after your last visit to the website.This cookie enables us to store information about your host institution, and so allow us to customise the Site by creating a shortcut to your home institution.
Session IDJSESSIONIDA random unique number or string of letters and numbers. A session cookie is required to follow your progress through the Services and Sites. It is essential to ensure that any information you enter or routes you take are remembered by the Services and Sites. Without this cookie, every page you visited would treat you as a completely new visitor. This cookie does not identify you personally and is not linked to any other information we store about you.