ethics chap2

8/4/2019 Ethics Chap2

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Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users 1

Ethics for IT Professionals and ITUsers2

Chapter


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Chapter 2 - Objectives1. Identify the key characteristics that distinguish a

professional from other kinds of workers.

2. Understand various professional relationships and

associated key ethical issues.

3. Discuss how codes of ethics, professional organizations,

and certifications and licensing affect the ethical behavior

of IT professionals.

4. Identify the key tenets of 4 different codes of ethics that

provide guidance for IT professionals.

5. Identify the common ethical issues that face IT users.

6. Discuss approaches for supporting the ethical practices

of IT users.


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IT Professionals

Profession is a calling requiring specializedknowledge and often long intensive academic

preparation.

US Code of Federal Regulations defines a

professional as someone who meets these criteria: Duties require advanced studies in a recognized field.

Ones instruction, study, or work is original and creative.

Job requires consistent exercise of discretion and

judgment.

Job is predominately intellectual and varied in character.


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Information Technology

Professionals

Many workers in the IT industry are

considered to be professionals. A

partial list includes:Programmers/Analysts

Software engineers

Database administratorsNetwork administrators

Chief information officers

IT Architects


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Professional Relationships

IT professionals become involved inmany different types of relationships.

Professional-employer

Professional-client

Professional-supplier

Professional-professional

Professional-IT user

Professional-society


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Stewards of IT Resources

IT professionals must set the exampleand enforce the policies that promote

ethical use of IT resources.

Software piracy is the act of illegallymaking copies of software.

Trade secret is a piece of information

that is generally not known to the

public that is held confidential.


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Whistle-blowing

Whistle-blowing is an effort by anemployee of a company to attract the

attention of others to a negligent,

illegal, unethical, abusive, ordangerous act by the company that

threatens the public interest.


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IT Professional-Employer

The relationship between aprofessional and an employer requires

ongoing efforts by both parties to keep

it strong. Professionals and employers discuss

many job aspects before employment

begins.


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IT Professional-Client

In this relationship, the professionaland client each agree to provide

something of value to each other.

The IT professional usually provides ahardware or software product and the

client provides compensation.


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IT Professional-Supplier

IT professionals may have manydifferent relationships with many

software, hardware, and service

providers. The IT professional must be on guard

to keep the relationships honest and

business related.


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IT Professional-Professional

Professionals feel a degree of loyaltyto other members in the profession.

Professionals help support each other

publicly.

Professionals owe one another an

adherence to the professions code of

conduct.


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IT Professional-IT User

An IT user is a person for whom thehardware or software is designed.

Professionals have a duty to

understand the needs and capabilitiesof users.

Professionals have a responsibility to

deliver their product or service on time

and within budget.


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IT Professional-Society

IT professionals develop and supportsystems that interact with the world

around them.

The public expects that the membersof the IT profession will practice the

profession in a way that will not bring

harm to society.


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Codes of Ethics

A professional code of ethics statesthe principles and core values

essential to the work of a particular

occupational group.

Code of ethics has two main parts:

1. Aspirations of the organization

2. Rules and/or principles for the members


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Benefits of a Code of Ethics

Improves ethical decision-making. Promotes high standards of practice

and ethical behavior.

Enhances trust and respect from the

general public.

Provides an evaluation benchmark.


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Codes of Ethics and

Professional Conduct

Association for Computing Machinery(ACM)

Association of Information Technology

Professionals (AITP) Computer Society of the Institute of

Electrical and Electronics Engineers

(IEEE-CS) Canadian Information Processing

SocietyCIPSwww.cips.ca


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Certification & Licensing

Certification is a process administered by aprofession or organization that oneundertakes voluntarily to prove competencyin a set of skills.

Licensing is a process generallyadministered by the province thatprofessionals must undertake to prove that

they can practice their profession in a waythat is ethical and safe to the public.


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Issues Associated with

Licensing IT Professionals

No universally accepted core body ofknowledge.

It is unclear who should manage the contentand administration of licensing exams.

No body to do accreditation of professionaleducation programs.

No body to assess and assure competenceof individual professionals.


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Current IT Certifications

Institute for Certification ofComputing Professionals (ICCP)

Associate Computing Professional

(ACP) Certified Computing Professional

(CCP)

American Society for QualityControl (ASQC)

Information Systems Professional (ISP)


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Legal Overview

Negligence is the omission to dosomething which a reasonable personwould do, or something which a prudentand reasonable person would not do.

Duty of care refers to the obligation thatwe not cause any unreasonable harm toothers.

Professional malpractice is when aprofessional breaches duty of care -commonly referred to as liability.


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IT Users

Common IT users ethical issues:

Software piracy.

Inappropriate use of computingresources.

Inappropriate sharing of

information.


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Supporting Ethical Practices of

IT Users

Define and limit the appropriate use of ITresources.

Establish guidelines for the use ofcompany software.

Structure information systems to protectdata and information.

Install and maintain a corporate firewall.


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Summary

A professional is someone:who requires advanced training and

experience.

who exercises discretion and judgmentduring work.

whose work cannot be standardized.

IT professionals have many differentrelationships that have different ethicalissues.


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Summary

A professional code of ethics states theprinciples and core values essential to

the work of a particular occupational

group. Licensing and certification of IT

professionals would increase the

reliability and effectiveness ofinformation systems.


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Summary

IT users encounter many ethicalissues, including:

Software piracy.

Inappropriate use of IT resources. Inappropriate sharing of private and secret

data.

An IT usage policy helps usersunderstand how to appropriately use ITresources.


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Case 1

Online Brokers

Experience Problems

The office of Compliance Inspections

and Examinations of the Securitiesand Exchange Commission releaseda report calling for brokerage andsecurity dealers to evaluate theironline trading programs.

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Case 2

General Policy on the Use of IT

An overview of the IT usage policy at

the University of Cincinnati Guiding principles

Applicable laws and regulations

Resource limits

Privacy

Access

Security

Plagiarism and copyright

Enforcement

ethics chap2

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