Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users1 Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users 2 Chapter

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users2 Chapter 2 - Objectives 1.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.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users3 IT Professionals Profession is a calling requiring specialized knowledge 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. –One’s instruction, study, or work is original and creative. –Job requires consistent exercise of discretion and judgment. –Job is predominately intellectual and varied in character.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users4 Information Technology Professionals Many workers in the IT industry are considered to be professionals. A partial list includes: –Programmers/Analysts –Software engineers –Database administrators –Network administrators –Chief information officers –IT Architects

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users5 Professional Relationships IT professionals become involved in many different types of relationships. –Professional-employer –Professional-client –Professional-supplier –Professional-professional –Professional-IT user –Professional-society

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users6 Stewards of IT Resources IT professionals must set the example and enforce the policies that promote ethical use of IT resources. Software piracy is the act of illegally making copies of software. Trade secret is a piece of information that is generally not known to the public that is held confidential.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users7 Whistle-blowing Whistle-blowing is an effort by an employee of a company to attract the attention of others to a negligent, illegal, unethical, abusive, or dangerous act by the company that threatens the public interest.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users8 IT Professional-Employer The relationship between a professional and an employer requires ongoing efforts by both parties to keep it strong. Professionals and employers discuss many job aspects before employment begins.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users9 IT Professional-Client In this relationship, the professional and client each agree to provide something of value to each other. The IT professional usually provides a hardware or software product and the client provides compensation.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users10 IT Professional-Supplier IT professionals may have many different relationships with many software, hardware, and service providers. The IT professional must be on guard to keep the relationships honest and business related.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users11 IT Professional-Professional Professionals feel a degree of loyalty to other members in the profession. Professionals help support each other publicly. Professionals owe one another an adherence to the profession’s code of conduct.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users12 IT Professional-IT User An IT user is a person for whom the hardware or software is designed. Professionals have a duty to understand the needs and capabilities of users. Professionals have a responsibility to deliver their product or service on time and within budget.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users13 IT Professional-Society IT professionals develop and support systems that interact with the world around them. The public expects that the members of the IT profession will practice the profession in a way that will not bring harm to society.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users14 Codes of Ethics A professional code of ethics states the 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

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users15 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.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users16 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 Society – CIPS –

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users17 Certification & Licensing Certification is a process administered by a profession or organization that one undertakes voluntarily to prove competency in a set of skills. Licensing is a process generally administered by the province that professionals must undertake to prove that they can practice their profession in a way that is ethical and safe to the public.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users18 Issues Associated with Licensing IT Professionals No universally accepted core body of knowledge. It is unclear who should manage the content and administration of licensing exams. No body to do accreditation of professional education programs. No body to assess and assure competence of individual professionals.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users19 Current IT Certifications Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) Associate Computing Professional (ACP) Certified Computing Professional (CCP) American Society for Quality Control (ASQC) Information Systems Professional (ISP)

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users20 Legal Overview Negligence is the omission to do something which a reasonable person would do, or something which a prudent and reasonable person would not do. Duty of care refers to the obligation that we not cause any unreasonable harm to others. Professional malpractice is when a professional breaches duty of care - commonly referred to as liability.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users21 IT Users Common IT users ethical issues: –Software piracy. –Inappropriate use of computing resources. –Inappropriate sharing of information.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users22 Supporting Ethical Practices of IT Users Define and limit the appropriate use of IT resources. Establish guidelines for the use of company software. Structure information systems to protect data and information. Install and maintain a corporate firewall.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users23 Summary A professional is someone: –who requires advanced training and experience. –who exercises discretion and judgment during work. –whose work cannot be standardized. IT professionals have many different relationships that have different ethical issues.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users24 Summary A professional code of ethics states the principles and core values essential to the work of a particular occupational group. Licensing and certification of IT professionals would increase the reliability and effectiveness of information systems.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users25 Summary IT users encounter many ethical issues, including: –Software piracy. –Inappropriate use of IT resources. –Inappropriate sharing of private and secret data. An IT usage policy helps users understand how to appropriately use IT resources.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users26 Case 1 Online Brokers Experience Problems The office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations of the Securities and Exchange Commission released a report calling for brokerage and security dealers to evaluate their online trading programs.

Chapter 2 - Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users27 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