diff --git a/src/Connect-test.tsx b/src/Connect.test.tsx
similarity index 74%
rename from src/Connect-test.tsx
rename to src/Connect.test.tsx
index bb736254e2..d77b7cce22 100644
--- a/src/Connect-test.tsx
+++ b/src/Connect.test.tsx
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import React from 'react'
 import { beforeEach, describe, it, expect, vi, afterEach } from 'vitest'
 import { render, screen, waitFor } from 'src/utilities/testingLibrary'
 import { Connect } from './Connect'
-import { initialState, masterData } from 'src/services/mockedData'
+import { apiValue as apiValueMock } from 'src/const/apiProviderMock'
+import { initialState, masterData, institutionData } from 'src/services/mockedData'
 import { STEPS } from 'src/const/Connect'
 
 describe('<Connect />', () => {
@@ -261,4 +262,68 @@ describe('<Connect />', () => {
       })
     })
   })
+
+  describe('Connect - Demo Connect Guard', () => {
+    const defaultProps = {
+      clientConfig: { current_institution_guid: 'INS-123' } as ClientConfigType,
+      onShowConnectSuccessSurvey: () => undefined,
+      onSubmitConnectSuccessSurvey: () => {},
+      profiles: { ...masterData, loading: false },
+    }
+
+    const nonDemoInstitution = { ...institutionData.institution, is_demo: false }
+    const demoInstitution = { ...institutionData.institution, is_demo: true }
+    const demoUser = { ...masterData.user, is_demo: true }
+    const regularUser = { ...masterData.user, is_demo: false }
+
+    it('blocks demo user from accessing non-demo institution', async () => {
+      const mockApiValue = {
+        ...apiValueMock,
+        loadInstitutionByGuid: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(nonDemoInstitution),
+        loadMembers: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      }
+
+      render(
+        <Connect {...defaultProps} profiles={{ ...masterData, user: demoUser, loading: false }} />,
+        { apiValue: mockApiValue },
+      )
+
+      expect(await screen.findByText(/Demo mode active/i)).toBeInTheDocument()
+    })
+
+    it('allows demo user to access demo institution', async () => {
+      const mockApiValue = {
+        ...apiValueMock,
+        loadInstitutionByGuid: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(demoInstitution),
+        loadMembers: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      }
+
+      render(
+        <Connect {...defaultProps} profiles={{ ...masterData, user: demoUser, loading: false }} />,
+        { apiValue: mockApiValue },
+      )
+
+      expect(await screen.findByText(/Log in at Test Bank/i)).toBeInTheDocument()
+      expect(screen.queryByText(/Demo mode active/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    })
+
+    it('allows regular user to access non-demo institution', async () => {
+      const mockApiValue = {
+        ...apiValueMock,
+        loadInstitutionByGuid: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue(nonDemoInstitution),
+        loadMembers: vi.fn().mockResolvedValue([]),
+      }
+
+      render(
+        <Connect
+          {...defaultProps}
+          profiles={{ ...masterData, user: regularUser, loading: false }}
+        />,
+        { apiValue: mockApiValue },
+      )
+
+      expect(await screen.findByText(/Log in at Test Bank/i)).toBeInTheDocument()
+      expect(screen.queryByText(/Demo mode active/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument()
+    })
+  })
 })
diff --git a/src/hooks/useLoadConnect.tsx b/src/hooks/useLoadConnect.tsx
index 8bbd416c60..f21cc302ee 100644
--- a/src/hooks/useLoadConnect.tsx
+++ b/src/hooks/useLoadConnect.tsx
@@ -8,14 +8,14 @@ import _isEmpty from 'lodash/isEmpty'
 
 import {
   loadConnect as loadConnectStart,
-  loadConnectSuccess,
+  loadConnectSuccessWithProfile,
   loadConnectError,
 } from 'src/redux/actions/Connect'
 import { COMBO_JOB_DATA_TYPES } from 'src/const/comboJobDataTypes'
 import { VERIFY_MODE } from 'src/const/Connect'
 import { useApi, ApiContextTypes } from 'src/context/ApiContext'
 import { __ } from 'src/utilities/Intl'
-import type { RootState } from 'src/redux/Store'
+import type { RootState, AppDispatch } from 'src/redux/Store'
 import { instutionSupportRequestedProducts } from 'src/utilities/Institution'
 import { getExperimentalFeatures } from 'src/redux/reducers/experimentalFeaturesSlice'
 
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ const useLoadConnect = () => {
     return document.querySelector('html')?.getAttribute('lang') || 'en'
   }, [document.querySelector('html')?.getAttribute('lang')])
   const [config, setConfig] = useState<ClientConfigType>({} as ClientConfigType)
-  const dispatch = useDispatch()
+  const dispatch = useDispatch<AppDispatch>()
 
   const loadConnect = useCallback((config: ClientConfigType) => setConfig(config), [config])
 
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ const useLoadConnect = () => {
           if (clientSupportRequestedProducts(config, profiles.clientProfile)) {
             return from(api.loadMembers(clientLocale)).pipe(
               map((members = []) =>
-                loadConnectSuccess({
+                loadConnectSuccessWithProfile({
                   experimentalFeatures,
                   members,
                   widgetProfile: profiles.widgetProfile,
diff --git a/src/redux/actions/Connect.js b/src/redux/actions/Connect.js
index 4ee4dfbbfe..8b365df66b 100644
--- a/src/redux/actions/Connect.js
+++ b/src/redux/actions/Connect.js
@@ -58,6 +58,18 @@ export const loadConnectSuccess = (dependencies = {}) => ({
   type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
   payload: dependencies,
 })
+export const loadConnectSuccessWithProfile =
+  (dependencies = {}) =>
+  (dispatch, getState) => {
+    const { profiles } = getState()
+
+    dispatch(
+      loadConnectSuccess({
+        ...dependencies,
+        user: profiles.user,
+      }),
+    )
+  }
 
 export const loadConnectError = (err) => ({
   type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_ERROR,
diff --git a/src/redux/reducers/Connect.js b/src/redux/reducers/Connect.js
index 5844271c30..1674c91268 100644
--- a/src/redux/reducers/Connect.js
+++ b/src/redux/reducers/Connect.js
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ const loadConnectSuccess = (state, action) => {
     institution = {},
     experimentalFeatures = {},
     widgetProfile,
+    user = {},
   } = action.payload
 
   return {
@@ -83,6 +84,7 @@ const loadConnectSuccess = (state, action) => {
         institution,
         widgetProfile,
         experimentalFeatures,
+        user,
       ),
     ),
     selectedInstitution: institution,
@@ -548,6 +550,7 @@ function getStartingStep(
   institution,
   widgetProfile,
   experimentalFeatures = {},
+  user = {},
 ) {
   // Unavailable institutions experimental feature: Make sure we don't load a user
   // directly to an institution that should be unavailable.
@@ -574,9 +577,18 @@ function getStartingStep(
     (institution && institutionIsBlockedForCostReasons(institution)) ||
     (member && memberIsBlockedForCostReasons(member)) ||
     !institutionIsAvailable
+  const shouldStepToDemoConnectGuard =
+    user?.is_demo &&
+    institution &&
+    !institution?.is_demo &&
+    (config.current_institution_guid ||
+      config.current_institution_code ||
+      config.current_member_guid)
 
   if (shouldStepToInstitutionStatusDetails) {
     return STEPS.INSTITUTION_STATUS_DETAILS
+  } else if (shouldStepToDemoConnectGuard) {
+    return STEPS.DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD
   } else if (shouldStepToMFA)
     // They configured connect to resolve MFA on a member.
     return STEPS.MFA
diff --git a/src/redux/reducers/__tests__/Connect-test.js b/src/redux/reducers/__tests__/Connect-test.js
index 3751806e11..e3c41c28de 100644
--- a/src/redux/reducers/__tests__/Connect-test.js
+++ b/src/redux/reducers/__tests__/Connect-test.js
@@ -389,6 +389,85 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
         STEPS.ENTER_CREDENTIALS,
       )
     })
+
+    it('should set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when launching with current_institution_guid and user is demo but institution is not', () => {
+      const institution = { guid: 'INS-1', is_demo: false, credentials }
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: true }
+      const config = { current_institution_guid: 'INS-1' }
+      const afterState = reducer(
+        defaultState,
+        loadConnectSuccess({ institution, config, widgetProfile, user }),
+      )
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
+        STEPS.DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD,
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('should set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when launching with current_institution_code and user is demo but institution is not', () => {
+      const institution = { guid: 'INS-1', code: 'bank_code', is_demo: false, credentials }
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: true }
+      const config = { current_institution_code: 'bank_code' }
+      const afterState = reducer(
+        defaultState,
+        loadConnectSuccess({ institution, config, widgetProfile, user }),
+      )
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
+        STEPS.DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD,
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('should set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when launching with current_member_guid and user is demo but institution is not', () => {
+      const institution = { guid: 'INS-1', is_demo: false, credentials }
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: true }
+      const member = genMember({ guid: 'MBR-1', connection_status: ReadableStatuses.CONNECTED })
+      const config = { current_member_guid: 'MBR-1' }
+      const afterState = reducer(
+        defaultState,
+        loadConnectSuccess({ member, institution, config, widgetProfile, user }),
+      )
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
+        STEPS.DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD,
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('should NOT set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when launching with current_institution_guid but user is not demo', () => {
+      const institution = { guid: 'INS-1', is_demo: false, credentials }
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: false }
+      const config = { current_institution_guid: 'INS-1' }
+      const afterState = reducer(
+        defaultState,
+        loadConnectSuccess({ institution, config, widgetProfile, user }),
+      )
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
+        STEPS.ENTER_CREDENTIALS,
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('should NOT set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when launching with current_institution_guid and both user and institution are demo', () => {
+      const institution = { guid: 'INS-1', is_demo: true, credentials }
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: true }
+      const config = { current_institution_guid: 'INS-1' }
+      const afterState = reducer(
+        defaultState,
+        loadConnectSuccess({ institution, config, widgetProfile, user }),
+      )
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
+        STEPS.ENTER_CREDENTIALS,
+      )
+    })
+
+    it('should NOT set the step to DEMO_CONNECT_GUARD when user is demo but no institution parameters are provided', () => {
+      const user = { guid: 'USR-1', is_demo: true }
+      const config = {}
+      const afterState = reducer(defaultState, loadConnectSuccess({ config, widgetProfile, user }))
+
+      expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(STEPS.SEARCH)
+    })
   })
 
   describe('loadConnectError', () => {
@@ -455,10 +534,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const config = { mode: VERIFY_MODE }
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, members: [], widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, members: [], widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(STEPS.SEARCH)
     })
@@ -473,10 +549,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const members = [member]
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, member, members, widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, member, members, widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
         STEPS.ACTIONABLE_ERROR,
@@ -500,10 +573,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const members = [member]
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, member, members, widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, member, members, widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
         STEPS.ACTIONABLE_ERROR,
@@ -527,10 +597,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const members = [member]
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, member, members, widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, member, members, widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
         STEPS.ENTER_CREDENTIALS,
@@ -554,10 +621,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const members = [member]
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, member, members, widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, member, members, widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(STEPS.MFA)
     })
@@ -578,10 +642,7 @@ describe('Connect redux store', () => {
       const members = [member]
       const afterState = reducer(
         { ...defaultState, isComponentLoading: true },
-        {
-          type: ActionTypes.LOAD_CONNECT_SUCCESS,
-          payload: { config, member, members, accounts: [], widgetProfile },
-        },
+        loadConnectSuccess({ config, member, members, accounts: [], widgetProfile }),
       )
       expect(afterState.location[afterState.location.length - 1].step).toEqual(
         STEPS.ACTIONABLE_ERROR,