Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using nelsonford.net (the "Website"), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Website.

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and Nelson Ford ("I", "me", or "my"). I reserve the right to modify these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be effective 30 days after notice is posted to the Website. Notice of material changes will be provided by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page and, where feasible, by other reasonable means (such as email if you have provided contact information). Your continued use of the Website after the effective date of any modifications constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Use of the Website

This Website provides information about my professional services, including AI implementation, software development, and technical consulting. You may use the Website for lawful purposes only.

Prohibited Uses

You agree not to:

• Use the Website in any way that violates applicable local, national, or international law
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Website or any systems or networks connected to it
• Use any automated system (including robots, spiders, or scrapers) to access the Website without my express written permission
• Transmit any viruses, malware, or other malicious code
• Interfere with or disrupt the Website or servers/networks connected to the Website
• Collect or harvest any personally identifiable information from the Website
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation with any person or entity

3. Intellectual Property Rights

All content on this Website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, code, and software, is the property of Nelson Ford or its content suppliers and is protected by Canadian and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may view, download, and print pages from the Website for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to the restrictions set out in these Terms. You may not:

• Modify copies of any materials from the Website
• Use any illustrations, photographs, video or audio sequences, or graphics separately from accompanying text
• Delete or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary rights notices
• Reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from Website content without express written permission

4. Third-Party Links and Services

The Website may contain links to third-party websites or services (such as Cal.com for scheduling) that are not owned or controlled by me. I have no control over, and assume no responsibility for, the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites or services.

You acknowledge and agree that I shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such third-party content, goods, or services available on or through such websites or services.

5. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE WEBSITE AND ALL INFORMATION, CONTENT, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES INCLUDED ON OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH THE WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.

I DO NOT WARRANT THAT:

• The Website will be secure, uninterrupted, or error-free
• The results obtained from use of the Website will be accurate or reliable
• The quality of any information or other material obtained through the Website will meet your expectations
• Any errors in the Website will be corrected

The information presented on the Website is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. You should seek appropriate professional advice before acting on any information contained on the Website.

6. Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL NELSON FORD BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, WHETHER INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, OR ANY LOSS OF DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES, RESULTING FROM:

• Your use of or inability to use the Website
• Any unauthorized access to or use of the Website or servers
• Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the Website
• Any bugs, viruses, trojan horses, or the like that may be transmitted to or through the Website
• Any errors or omissions in any content or for any loss or damage incurred as a result of the use of any content posted, emailed, transmitted, or otherwise made available through the Website

This limitation applies whether the alleged liability is based on contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or any other basis, even if I have been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Important Carve-Outs: Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by negligence or gross negligence
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
• Any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law

Jurisdictional Savings Clause: If you are a consumer in Ontario, the European Union, or another jurisdiction with mandatory consumer protection laws, nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights that cannot be waived or limited by contract. Where local consumer protection law provides greater protections than these Terms, those protections shall apply.

7. Professional Services

This Website provides information about professional services I offer. However, visiting the Website or contacting me through the Website does not create a professional engagement or client relationship.

Any professional engagement will be subject to a separate written agreement that will govern the scope of work, fees, deliverables, and other terms specific to that engagement.

8. Results Methodology

Performance metrics presented on this Website represent reported client outcomes based on post-deployment surveys and engagement retrospectives.

• "Significantly Faster" compares guided deployment timelines vs. client-estimated DIY timelines
• "Substantial Cost" reflects infrastructure optimization opportunities identified during assessments
• "High Uptime" represents production system reliability targets achievable with proper HA/DR implementation

Actual results vary significantly based on starting infrastructure maturity, current technical debt, team responsiveness, and specific implementation requirements. These outcomes are not typical or guaranteed.

9. Security Services Limitation

Security hardening is advisory. These services reduce risk through best-practice controls but cannot guarantee absolute security. Compliance evidence supports audits; auditors make final determinations.

Services do not include ongoing monitoring, incident response, or warranty of specific outcomes. Formal terms are defined in the Master Services Agreement.

10. Assessment Scope

Assessments provide recommendations based on information available during the evaluation period. Cost projections, ROI estimates, and timelines are estimates subject to change based on actual implementation decisions, market conditions, and unforeseen technical requirements. Assessments do not guarantee specific results or deployment outcomes.

11. Case Study Results

Case studies represent real client engagements with actual outcomes. Results vary significantly based on client starting state, implementation quality, organizational maturity, and follow-through. These results are not typical and should not be interpreted as guarantees of specific outcomes. Engagements are customized to each client's unique circumstances.

Specific cost reduction figures cited on this Website represent individual client outcomes and are not typical or guaranteed. Actual results vary significantly based on your current infrastructure inefficiencies, cloud provider, optimization opportunities, and implementation approach. Many factors affect ROI including current costs, technical debt, and team capabilities.

12. Educational Content

Guides and educational materials on this Website provide general information about implementation concepts and best practices. They do not constitute professional security consulting, security advice, or a security audit.

Security requirements and implementation strategies vary significantly based on your organization's risk profile, compliance obligations, technical environment, and threat model. Before implementing any security controls, consult with qualified security professionals who can assess your specific context and provide tailored recommendations.

13. Tool Recommendations

Tools listed on this Website are examples of solutions commonly used in the industry. These are not endorsements or guarantees of tool performance. Tool selection should be based on your specific requirements, budget, existing stack, and compliance needs.

I receive no compensation from vendors listed and have no financial relationships to disclose. Always evaluate tools independently before purchasing.

14. CMMC and CPCSC Certification

I am a Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) certified by CAICO/CyberAB. I provide CPCSC and CMMC readiness consulting to help Canadian defence industrial base contractors prepare for compliance assessments. I am not a Registered Practitioner (RP) or Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) and do not conduct formal assessments independently.

CMMC ethics rules prohibit me from both consulting for and assessing the same client within a two-year period. This separation ensures assessment independence and objectivity.

Consulting services help you prepare documentation, implement controls, and organize evidence. Final certification decisions are made by independent third-party assessors, not by me. I cannot guarantee certification outcomes. Those depend on assessor evaluation, your implementation quality, organizational maturity, and evolving compliance requirements.

You retain responsibility for: (1) actual control implementation, (2) ongoing compliance maintenance, (3) testing and validation, (4) assessor coordination, and (5) organizational process changes.

15. Not Legal Advice

The information and services provided on this Website are for informational and technical consulting purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Compliance with CPCSC, CMMC, NIST 800-171, or other regulatory frameworks involves legal obligations that may require consultation with qualified legal counsel. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice. For specific legal guidance regarding your compliance obligations, please consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

16. Privacy

Your use of the Website is also governed by my Privacy Policy, which explains how I collect, use, and protect your personal information.

17. Modifications to the Website

I reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Website (or any part thereof) at any time, with or without notice. I shall not be liable to you or any third party for any modification, suspension, or discontinuance of the Website.

18. Governing Law, Jurisdiction, and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Dispute Resolution Process

Before initiating any legal action, both parties agree to attempt to resolve disputes through the following process:

Exceptions to Dispute Resolution Process

The dispute resolution process (Steps 1-2) does not apply to:

• Injunctive Relief: Either party may seek immediate injunctive or equitable relief from a court to prevent irreparable harm (e.g., intellectual property infringement, confidentiality breaches) without first completing negotiation or mediation.
• Small Claims Court: Disputes within the monetary jurisdiction of Ontario Small Claims Court may be brought directly in Small Claims Court.
• Collection Actions: Actions to collect undisputed debts may be brought directly in court.

Jurisdiction

Any legal action or proceeding relating to these Terms or your use of the Website shall be instituted exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction in Ontario, Canada. You agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any objections to venue or inconvenient forum.

19. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent possible, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Nelson Ford regarding your use of the Website and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, whether written or oral. These Terms do not govern professional service engagements, which are subject to separate written agreements.

21. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact me at:

Email: legal@nelsonford.net

Or use the contact form.

22. Acknowledgment

BY USING THE WEBSITE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THESE TERMS OF SERVICE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM.

23. Force Majeure

I shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing my obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from any cause beyond my reasonable control, including but not limited to:

• Cloud infrastructure outages (including Amazon Web Services, AWS)
• Internet service provider failures or disruptions
• Cyberattacks, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or other malicious activities
• Acts of God, natural disasters, pandemics, or public health emergencies
• Government actions, regulations, orders, or restrictions
• Labor disputes, strikes, or work stoppages
• Failures of third-party service providers (analytics, scheduling, hosting)

In the event of a force majeure event, my obligations under these Terms shall be suspended for the duration of the event. I will make reasonable efforts to mitigate the effects and resume performance as soon as reasonably practicable.