In this article, you will learn about what OSCAR is and how to navigate it. 

• Introduction to OSCAR
• OSCAR Functionalities and Limitations
• Interacting with OSCAR
• Security and Data Privacy with OSCAR

Introduction to OSCAR

What does OSCAR stand for?

OffSec Support Chatbot Assistance Resource

What is OSCAR? 

OSCAR is a chatbot powered by a generative artificial intelligence (AI) system to assist OffSec learners and customers. It provides support for general inquiries, orders, registrations, and other related services.

How can I access OSCAR?

OSCAR can be accessed through the OffSec Learning Platform (OLP). Upon logging in, you will land at the OffSec dashboard and on the left menu, please select “Help”

OSCAR Functionalities and Limitations

What types of inquiries can OSCAR handle?

 OSCAR is intended to answer questions drawing from the OffSec Help Center, inquiries such as:

• Frequently asked questions about OffSec services, courses and policies.
• Product information.
• Course information.
• Registration.
• Getting started steps.
• Exam guide and rules.
• PG Play and Practice.
• Enterprise customer support resources.

How does OSCAR understand and respond to queries?

OSCAR uses generative AI technology to understand and process natural language. It analyzes the user's input, interprets the intent, and generates responses that are relevant to the inquiry.

How accurate is OSCAR?

OSCAR is at an early stage of deployment and may occasionally provide inaccurate responses. Continuous monitoring is in place to enhance its performance and accuracy. If you encounter a situation where OSCAR's response seems inaccurate, please don't hesitate to contact the OffSec Student Success team for further assistance. You can reach out by emailing orders@offsec.com. Your feedback is valuable in helping improve OSCAR's effectiveness and reliability.

Does OSCAR get updated with new information?

Yes, OSCAR regularly receives updates to its knowledge base and capabilities to ensure accurate and up-to-date information is provided to OffSec learners.

Interacting with OSCAR

What are the best practices for interacting with OSCAR effectively?

To ensure optimal interaction with OSCAR, follow these best practices:

1. Ask specific questions: Provide clear and concise queries to receive accurate and relevant responses.
2. Ask one question at a time: Focus on one question or topic per interaction to maintain clarity and facilitate better understanding.
3. Clear chat when switching topics: If switching topics or initiating a new query, clear previous chat history by refreshing the page to prevent confusion and ensure the response is tailored to the current topic.
4. Refer to relevant Help Center articles: Utilize available resources to supplement your understanding and gain additional insights on relevant topics.
5. Make follow-up questions for clarity: If further clarification or details are required, don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions to enhance understanding and obtain comprehensive answers.

What would be an appropriate question to inquire about?

The more detailed and specific your question, the better OSCAR will be able to understand and interpret your request. To help OSCAR provide the most accurate response, please specify your subscription type, course inquiries, and/or exam type. Here are some examples of how to frame your questions to OSCAR:

Initial inquiry: I need more lab time but I cannot see the option to purchase a 30-day lab extension.
Improved: I need more lab time for PEN-200, but I cannot find the option to purchase a 30-day lab extension.

Initial inquiry: How can I schedule my exam?
Improved: How can I schedule my OSCP exam?

Initial inquiry: What is my exam cool-off period?
Improved: I am enrolled with Learn One; what is my OSCP exam cool-off period?

What about pricing and policy answers provided by OSCAR?

OSCAR may occasionally provide inaccurate responses (or “hallucinations”). For accurate and current pricing details, please refer to the prices displayed on the OffSec website.

Any policy suggestions must be validated by visiting the OffSec Help Center or contacting orders@offsec.com prior to being honored by OffSec.

What should I do if OSCAR cannot resolve my issue?

If OSCAR is unable to resolve your issue, it will provide options to escalate the query to OffSec’s Student Success Care Services (SSCS) team such as emailing orders@offsec.com for further assistance.

Security and Data Privacy with OSCAR

Is my interaction with OSCAR secure?

Yes, interactions with OSCAR are secure and conducted in accordance with OffSec’s security practices.  

Does OSCAR have access to my personal information ?

Please do not input personal data or sensitive information into OSCAR.

OSCAR does not have access to your personal information. It is designed to handle queries based on the content available in the OffSec Help Center articles.  For privacy protection, OSCAR cannot access or retrieve specific user information such as your identity, subscription type, course and lab access, and exam history. Its functionality is limited to providing information and assistance that does not require access to personal or sensitive user data. 

What privacy terms govern my interactions with OSCAR?

OffSec’s privacy statement set forth at https://www.offsec.com/legal-docs/#privacy-policy governs OffSec’s processing of personal data collected by OSCAR.  

Can I provide feedback about my experience with OSCAR?

Absolutely!  Your feedback is highly valued and can be provided through the Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down options in the chat interface.  Additionally, you have the opportunity to include a brief explanation with your feedback. Your input is crucial for improving OSCAR, ensuring user satisfaction, and enhancing the overall experience.  OffSec will use your feedback to improve its products and services.