Privacy Policy

ForgeGuard IT – Protecting Your Data with Integrity

Last Updated: January 16, 2026

SMS-Specific Privacy Notice

ForgeGuard IT collects personal information, including your phone number, when you opt in to receive SMS messages (e.g., via website forms, in-person sign-ups, or verbal consent during support calls). This information is used solely for sending conversational and informational messages, such as security alerts, appointment reminders, service updates, support responses, and occasional cybersecurity tips.

We do not share your SMS consent or phone number with any third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes. SMS consent is not shared with third parties. Your phone number and related data are used only by ForgeGuard IT for the purposes described above and are protected under our general data security measures (e.g., encryption, access controls).

We may share limited personal information with trusted service providers (e.g., SMS platforms like RingCentral) under strict data processing agreements that require them to protect your data and not use it for unrelated purposes. See the full “How We Use Your Information” and “Third-Party Service Providers” sections below for details.

For more on SMS opt-out, frequency, rates, and help, see our SMS Terms of Service.

Introduction

ForgeGuard IT (“we,” “our,” or “us”), operating at forgeguardit.com and based in Green County, Wisconsin, is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our clients and website visitors. This Privacy Policy outlines our practices for collecting, using, maintaining, and disclosing information collected from users. Our policy complies with applicable privacy laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), where relevant.

Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

We collect information you provide directly, such as:

• Contact information (e.g., name, email address, phone number)
• Business information (e.g., company name, industry)
• Payment information (e.g., billing details)
• Service-related information (e.g., IT infrastructure details)
• Communication preferences (e.g., preferred contact method)

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect information when you use our website or services, including:

• Log files (e.g., access times, pages viewed)
• Device information (e.g., hardware model, operating system)
• IP addresses
• Browser type and version
• System information (e.g., software configurations)
• Usage patterns (e.g., features used, time spent on pages)

2.2.1 Information Collected via Happier Leads

Using the Happier Leads software, we collect additional data when you visit our website. This information is automatically collected if you are visiting our websites or accessing our applications. We collect the following information provided by your browser or mobile device using the Happier Leads software:

• Pages accessed
• Time of visit
• Time of last visit
• Browser information
• Reverse domain of the IP address
• Referring site, application, or service, including the relevant search queries that led you to our website
• Operating system and device information
• IP address

Why do we collect this? We collect this information to better understand how our website visitors use the Happier Leads software. This is to improve the client experience while also ensuring the website’s security.

Opt-Out: Any user of the platform has the option to opt out of the data gathering. You can do so by going to happierleads.com/opt-out.

2.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from third parties, such as:

• Service providers (e.g., cloud hosting, security tools)
• Public databases (e.g., business registries)
• Business partners (e.g., referral partners)

How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Provide and maintain IT services
• Manage SOC 2 compliance for clients
• Monitor network and security performance
• Deliver customer support and respond to inquiries (including via SMS where consented)
• Optimize and improve our services (e.g., via analytics)
• Communicate about service updates, promotions, or notices (including SMS alerts/reminders where consented)
• Fulfill legal obligations (e.g., tax reporting, audits)
• Conduct business operations (e.g., billing, account management)

Data Protection and Security

4.1 Security Measures

We protect your data with:

• Industry-standard encryption (e.g., AES-256, TLS)
• Secure network architecture (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection)
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability scans
• Access controls (e.g., role-based access, multi-factor authentication)
• SOC 2 compliance protocols
• SentinelOne Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions
• NinjaOne monitoring systems

4.2 Data Storage

Your data is stored in secure cloud storage with strict access controls, Microsoft 365 environments configured for compliance, and encrypted backup systems for integrity and availability. Data is retained only as long as necessary for service provision, legal compliance, or business needs, then securely deleted or anonymized.

Third-Party Service Providers

We share information with trusted third parties, including:

• Go High Level (CRM system)
• Microsoft 365 services
• Payment processors
• Security service providers
• Cloud storage providers
• Professional service providers (e.g., legal, accounting)
• Happier Leads (website analytics and visitor identification)

These providers adhere to our privacy and security standards via data processing agreements. We do not sell your personal information.

Your Rights and Choices

You may:

• Access your personal information
• Correct inaccurate data
• Request data deletion (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-out of marketing communications (including SMS by replying STOP)
• Request data portability
• Lodge complaints with supervisory authorities

Contact us at contact@ForgeGuardIT.com to exercise these rights.