Cookie Policy

1. What are Cookies?

Cookies are small files which get saved onto your computer or other device and store pieces of information about your use of online services.  They are used for lots of different things, such as tracking how individuals use our websites, helping us to understand user behaviours, identify improvements and target our marketing activities to be of more relevance to you. They can be used to help store information so you don’t have to keep entering it in, for example when you complete an application form or log in to your account.

2. What information do they collect?

The information collected by cookies will not personally identify you as they do not store information such as you name, address, phone number or email in a format that can be read. We cannot search your computer or other devices to obtain information about you or your family; nor can we obtain any information which you keep on your hard drive.

Our cookies will collect information about your computer setting, IP address, connection to the internet and the interactions you have with our website, depending on the category of the cookie and the preferences you set.

3. What Cookies do BCIS and BECD use?

We use a range of cookies for different reasons.  Some of these are classed as ‘strictly necessary’ which means we have to use them to ensure our website remains operational and secure.  You cannot turn off these cookies.

However, other cookies are optional and you can decide whether you want to turn some or all of them off.  The table in appendix 1 provides details of the cookies we use, why we use them, how long they stay on your device for and what choices you have over their use.

4. What are third party Cookies?

A first party cookie is one which a website owner adds to its own website.  So any cookies which BCIS adds to the BCIS websites are classed as first party cookies.

However, the BCIS websites also have third party cookies operating.  Third-party cookies are cookies which are placed on the BCIS website by someone other than BCIS.  These cookies are placed by third parties to remember something about you when you use the BCIS websites.  Third parties generally use this information for advertisement purposes, for example, to place adverts on other websites you visit, which they think you will be interested in because of what you looked at or did on the BCIS website.

5. How can you stop the use of Cookies?

As explained previously, if you are using our website, you are unable to turn off any strictly necessary cookies, but you can choose your preferences for all of the others.

When you first use our website, we will present you with a cookie banner which allows you to select your preferences.  Once selected, they will last for 12 months, at which point we will show you the banner again to re-select your preferences.  However, if you want to change your preferences on our website at any other time, you can access the cookie preference centre using the  “Cookie Settings” link in the BCIS website footer.

You may also be able to update your browser (e.g. Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer) settings to delete, block and restrict the use of cookies.  For more information, check your browser’s ‘Help’ function.

One of the main third-party cookies used is Google Analytics.  You can opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites by visiting: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

6. Changes to this Policy

The use of cookies can change from time to time, but we regularly review and update this policy to help keep you informed on what and why we use, and your choices.  This Policy was last updated July 2026.

Appendix 1: Details of the cookies used on BCIS’ websites

Necessary cookies

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

Statistical Cookies

Also known as “performance cookies,” these cookies collect information about how you use a website, like which pages you visited and which links you clicked on. None of this information can be used to identify you. It is all aggregated and, therefore, anonymised.

Targeting cookies

Targeting cookies are used to provide visitors with customised advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyse the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

Functionality cookies

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.