Terms & Conditions

Summary: These terms cover your use of the CNETS website and, unless a signed proposal or agreement says otherwise, the consulting, security testing and training services CNETS provides. CNETS helps you prepare for certification; certification decisions are made by independent certification bodies, and CNETS does not guarantee them. Use of the Checkmate platform is governed by the separate Checkmate Terms of Use. Personal information is handled under our Privacy Policy.

1. About us and these terms

This website is operated by CNETS PTY LTD (ABN 78 670 429 464) (CNETS, we, us) of Ground floor, 470 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3004. By using this website or engaging our services, you agree to these Terms & Conditions (Terms). If you engage us on behalf of an organisation, you confirm you are authorised to bind it.

Where a signed proposal, statement of work, master services agreement or other written agreement exists between CNETS and the client, that document prevails over these Terms to the extent of any inconsistency.

2. Website information

Content on this website, including guides, comparisons, readiness assessments and answers to common questions, is general information only. It does not take your specific circumstances into account and is not legal, financial or professional advice. Readiness assessment results are indicative and are not an audit, gap analysis or certification opinion.

We aim to keep the website accurate and current but do not warrant that it is complete, error-free or uninterrupted. Standards, laws and regulator guidance change; check current requirements before relying on them.

3. Our services

Our services may include ISO and standards implementation consulting (such as ISO 27001, ISO 42001, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and SMB1001), internal audit and readiness support, firewall audits, vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, and security awareness training. The scope, deliverables, timing and fees for each engagement are set out in our proposal or statement of work.

We will perform services with due care and skill, using appropriately experienced personnel. You agree to provide timely access to people, information, systems and premises reasonably needed, and to ensure information you give us is accurate and complete. Delays or changes caused by missing information or changed scope may affect timelines and fees.

4. Certification is independent

Certification against an ISO or other standard is issued only by an independent certification body following its own audit. CNETS does not issue certificates and does not guarantee that you will achieve or maintain certification, pass an audit, or satisfy any customer, tender, insurer or regulator requirement. Your organisation remains responsible for operating its management system and controls.

5. Security testing

Penetration testing, vulnerability assessment and firewall review are performed only within the written scope and testing window you authorise. You confirm you own, or have permission from the owner of, every system included in scope, including third-party hosted or cloud services. Testing may cause service degradation despite reasonable precautions; we will agree rules of engagement with you beforehand.

Testing reflects the state of systems at the time tested and cannot identify every vulnerability. Findings and reports are confidential to you and should be shared only with those who need them.

6. Fees and payment

Fees are as stated in the accepted proposal and are exclusive of GST unless stated otherwise. Unless agreed otherwise, invoices are payable within 14 days. Certification body audit fees, travel and third-party costs are separate unless expressly included. We may suspend services if invoices remain unpaid after reasonable notice.

7. Intellectual property

CNETS retains ownership of its pre-existing materials, methods, templates, tools and know-how, including the Checkmate platform. On payment in full, you own, or receive a perpetual non-exclusive licence to use for your internal business purposes, the deliverables we prepare specifically for you. Website content may not be copied, republished or used to train AI models without our written permission.

8. Confidentiality

Each party will keep the other's confidential information confidential and use it only for the engagement, except where disclosure is required by law or made to advisers bound by confidentiality. These obligations survive the end of the engagement.

9. Liability

Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right or remedy under the Australian Consumer Law that cannot lawfully be excluded. To the extent permitted by law, CNETS is not liable for indirect or consequential loss, including loss of profit, revenue, data or opportunity, and our total liability arising from an engagement is limited to the fees paid for the services giving rise to the claim. Where our liability for failure to comply with a consumer guarantee can be limited, it is limited to supplying the services again or paying the cost of having them supplied again.

10. Third-party links and services

The website may link to third-party sites, including standards bodies, social media and partner resources. We are not responsible for their content or practices. Services we deliver using third-party tools remain subject to these Terms and your agreement with us.

11. Ending an engagement

Either party may end an engagement by written notice as set out in the proposal or, if none is stated, on 30 days' written notice. You must pay for services performed and costs committed up to the date of termination. Either party may terminate immediately for a material breach that is not remedied within 14 days of notice.

12. General

These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia, and the parties submit to the courts of Victoria. We may update these Terms by publishing a new version on this page; the version in force when you engage us applies to that engagement. Questions: legal@cnets.com.au or (03) 7057 3666.