Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users

Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users

Objectives 1. Identify the key characteristics 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, e thics, professional organizations, and certifications and licensing affect the ethical behavior of IT professionals. 4. Describe career opportunities available in various segments of the computer industry. 5. Identify the key principles of codes of ethics that provide guidance for IT professionals. 6. Identify the common ethical issues that face IT users. 7. Discuss approaches approaches for supporting the ethical practices of IT users. IT Professionals Profession is a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long intensive y academic preparation. Some code regulations defines a professional as someone who meets one of these y 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. 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   Computer Operators   Computer Salesperson   Computer Scientist   Computer Technician   Technical Writer   Graphic Designer/Illustrator   Web Developer   Consultant   Computer Trainer /Educator   Computer Security Specialist   Computer Forensic Specialist

Computer Discipline Fields

What is computer information systems ( CIS)? Programs that emphasize technical knowle dge and skills y y Sometimes called management information systems (MIS) or management information technology What is computer science ( CS)? y

Programs that stress theoretical side of programming and operating systems

y

Also called software engineering

What is computer engineering ( CE)? y

Teaches students how to design and develop the

electrical components found in

computers and peripheral devices y

Require d

courses include application and systems programming, data and file

structures, networks, and operating systems 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

1.

IT

Professional-Employers  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 c opies of software.  Trade secret is a piece of information that is generally not known to the public that is held confidential.  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.  The relationship between a professional and an employer requires ongoing efforts by both parties to keep it strong.  Professionals rofessionals and employers discuss many job aspects before employment begins.

2.

IT

Professional-Client In this relationship, the professional an d client each agree to provide something of  value to each other. The IT professional usually provides a hardware or software product an d the client provides compensation c ompensation..

y

y

3.

IT y

y

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.

IT Professional-Professional Professional-Professional Professionals feel a degree of loyalty to other members in the profession. y Professionals help support each other publicly. y y Professionals owe one another an a dherence to the professions code of conduct. IT Professional-IT User y An IT user is a person for whom the hardware or software is designed. y 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 y budget. IT Professional-Society Professional-Society IT professionals develop and support systems that interact with the world around them. y

y

The public expects that the members of the IT

profession will practice the profession in

a way that will not bring harm to society. Codes of Ethics y

y

A professional code of ethics state the principles and core values essential to the work of a particular occupational group.

Code of conduct has two main parts: 1. Aspirations Aspirations of the organization 2. Rules and/or principles

Benefits of a Code y y y y

Codes y y y y

of Ethics Improves ethical decision-making. Promotes high standards of practice and ethical behavior. Enhances Enhances trust an d respect from the general public. Provides an evaluation benchmark.

of Conduct Association for Computing Machinery (ACM ) Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) Computer Society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE-CS)

Certification & Licensing

y

y

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 state that professionals must undertake to prove that they can practice their profession in a way that is ethical and safe to the public.

Issues Associated with Licensing IT Professionals P rofessionals y No universally accepted core body of knowledge. y It is unclear who shoul d manage the content an d administration of licensing exams. y No body to do accreditation of professional education programs. y No body to assess and assure competence of individual professionals. Legal Overview y Negligence is the omission to do something which a reasonable person would do, or something which a prudent and reasonable person would not do. y Duty of care refers to the obligation that we not cause any unreasonable harm to others.

y

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

IT Users Common IT user ethical issues:   Software piracy.   Inappropriate nappropriate use of computing resources.   Inappropriate nappropriate sharing of information i nformation.. Supporting Ethical Practices of IT Users y Define and limit the appropriate use of IT resources. y Establish gui delines for the use of company software. Structure information systems to protect data and information. y Install and maintain a corporate firewall. y Summary  A professional is someone:   who requires advanced training and experience.   who exercises discretion and judgment during work.   whose work cannot be stan dardized.  IT professionals have many different relationships that have different ethical issues.  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.

IT users encounter many ethical issues, including:  Software piracy.  Inappropriate nappropriate use of IT resources.  Inappropriate nappropriate sharing of private and secret data.  An IT usage policy helps users understand how to appropriately use IT resources. Discussions 1. What are some of the benefits of joining jo ining a professional organization? What might be some disadvantages? 2. What points can you present in favor of licensing of IT professionals? What points can you present that argue against licensing? 3. Should all IT professionals either be licensed or certified? Why or why not?