Professional Ethics and Responsibilities in Computer Technology - Literature review Example

?PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY Professional Ethics and Responsibilities in Computer Technology Affiliation Date Table of Contents Introduction 3 The Role of Ethics in Information Technology 3 Common Dilemmas 5 Current Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behavior 7 Managing Ethical Issues 7 Outsource Awareness 8 Training and Rewards 8 Develop an IT Ethics Policy 9 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 Duke University. (2011, August). Legal Ethics. Retrieved February 19, 2012, from http://www.law.duke.edu/lib/researchguides/legale 10 Introduction Every aspect of information and communication technology focuses on at least one ethical dilemma. From email services to Facebook websites, information technology developers and users are unacquainted with the balance between ethics and revenue struck by service providers. However, software developers, individuals and businesses have to think about the rights and wrongs of making use of the information technology every day. The basic concerns essential to the world of IT are the end user's anticipations of privacy and the provider's ethical responsibility to utilize email or applications (Katers, 2012). Due to quickly changing environment of information technology, new and complex ethical concerns are emerging that bring into question the capability of society to tackle, and self-confidently resolve them. These serious issues and concerns are taking place in different fields such as information technology, biotechnology, nuclear technology, nanotechnology (Kastenberg, 2011). This paper discusses the role of the professional ethics and responsibilities in computer technology. The basic aim of this research is to discuss the importance and relevance of computer ethics in information technology. The Role of Ethics in Information Technology Ethics deal with a lot of ethical aspects such as what is good or bad, right or wrong, fair or unfair, obligatory or permitted, responsible or irresponsible, praiseworthy or blameworthy. In addition, it encompasses various other aspects such as responsibility, shame, indignation, understanding, anger, compassion, and care. It as well addresses issues of public policy as well as more personal matters. Hence, ethics is complicated and frequently confusing and divisive (Pritchard, 2007). Moreover, in a business environment, some of the important professional ethical issues can be: (Sembok, 2003; Duke University, 2011) Managing human resource issues Impartiality in data analysis and professional consulting Data privacy Resolution of conflicts of interest Professional accountability Software piracy Academic honesty Adherence to confidentiality agreements In addition, the problems and issues of IT Ethics have recently turned out to be the biggest challenge for business organizations as well as individuals. In this scenario, the potential to put huge material on the web has attracted a vast majority of people. However, developing systems and applications have quietly concealed the issues and complexities as well as aggravations that were concerned in writing HTML; increasingly websites are being developed by people with a comparatively diffident quantity of computer systems (Schweitzer, 2005). The incorporation of new technology based systems has been almost never so simple. Moreover, as the web started to expand out of its shortened immaturity, a wide variety of new problems and concerns emerged repeatedly, and a majority of concerns and issues remained unresolved. Moreover, a lot of problems and concerns hold powerful ethics related data and information content. As the potential to arrive at millions of people immediately has passed into the hands of the individuals, the quick emergence of thorny ethical concerns is probable to carry-on unabated (Schweitzer, 2005). Common Dilemmas As ethics is not a black-and-white topic, the choices we formulate could affect our business or even our living. There are numerous ethical problems that can happen while making use of networking, social media or any IT based medium. These can be: (Parr, 2012) Spamming: In order to sell products a business must adopt some marketing methods. However, there is a difference between marketing and spamming. When organizations promote their products, they need to keep in mind to provide others with the appropriate value in return (Parr, 2012). Feuds by others: Another big issue regarding professional ethics is feuding with the other. It is simple to let an argument spill into a community spat by means of our Twitter feed; however is this actually helpful to our followers? In a business arrangement, computer systems facilitate us in business working and other operations. In addition, public disputes and calling people out can possible damage our reputation instead of helping or promoting it (Parr, 2012). Privacy: Privacy means that any person that has right to see data gathered about them. For this purpose, he has to submit an application to view their personal data. In the same way, a person also has the right to stop the processing of their data by the corporation. In addition, no employee of the firm should be permissible to reveal or make use of the data and information collected and stored by their organization. In addition, if he uses the data and information of an organization without authorization he is committing a crime. Additionally, if a computer system holds confidential data belonging to an organization or individual then it is the responsibility of its user to ensure that this information is not used (or given to anyone) without owner’s authorization. For instance, government departments, doctors, credit agencies and a lot of other small, medium and large organizations store their important information. This data/Information is most sensitive and private (Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat, 2005). Misrepresentation: This as well pursues from the “be transparent” law. As we cannot be lying by saying we worked at Google and Yahoo, it’s deceptive to make use of that information if we worked at every for three days as a contractor. A person should not use a business or brand name or an achievement unless they really have the right to it (Parr, 2012). Current Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behavior Unethical and frequently illegal behavior of using IT has become very common. In this scenario, software piracy and illegal access to computing is illegal in many countries. However, a lot of clients of IT defy these laws with little or no fear. According to the report of SPA (Software Publishers Association) more than 20 percent of the computer programs in use are illegal copies. In addition, the estimate of software sales nowadays in the neighborhood of the United Sates is $50 billion to US$60 billion (Friedman, 2010; Peace, 1997). According to the same report, the majority of the businesses purchase simply one copy or a part of the software that they mean to utilize, and then install it on so many computers that they possess. A lot of researchers in the area of computer ethics cover an evenly alarming picture of present day business and computer ethics. It is discovered that issues of software piracy and hacking have taken the shape of very serious crimes (Peace, 1997). Managing Ethical Issues Professional ethics is one of the most important elements of business management. This section outlines some of the important issues and aspects regarding technological ethical situations: Outsource Awareness In a business arrangement for the sake of professional ethics management, we need to offer our staff some training and knowledge regarding ethics. In order to deal with possible issues and concerns of the ethics our staff should be aware of social networking and IT arrangements. In this scenario, security awareness necessitates commitment to a permanent program of worker communications as well as should be intended as such. For example, a business can use notice-board, which can be used to deliver a series of awareness modules covering a wide variety of information security subjects every month, consequently there is for all time something fresh to study. In addition, for ethical awareness of business structure, networking and IT arrangement the intended materials themselves require to be creative, well-written and interesting to employees and viewers that lift another point. In simple words, if we really want to build a genuine secure society, everybody in the business from top to bottom requires to be informed and provoked regarding information security. In this scenario, the business ethics awareness notice-board and material deals with general workers, managers, and IT people independently, for the reason that they have separate information requirements (Schweitzer, 2005). Training and Rewards A lot of corporations believe that addressing professional ethics issues, technical problems and issues alone is sufficient to ensure IT privacy and security. Unluckily, this is basically not true; the weakest link in the IT safety chain is the element of human. In this scenario, an organization must improve the understanding and knowledge of its workforce by facilitating them to build-up a better appreciation of all the computer and information security problems like that danger of accidentally downloading spyware, spam and phishing expeditions. Moreover, a high-quality awareness plan should contain at least 3 fundamental aspects: to train, inform and frequently educate staff members (Schweitzer, 2005). Develop an IT Ethics Policy To better deal with IT related ethical issues there is a need for the development of an effective IT policy. In this IT policy, rules about the access of other personal information and data files, use of pirated software, and personal use of business equipment are spelled out evidently. As a result, everybody recognizes prospects on the front end. In addition, the development of suitable ethical policy at corporate level offers the staff members a legalistic ‘thou shall not’ rules and regulations code, and a negative reaction is almost certain. However, every ethics policy varies from business to business; there are some elements that most codes must comprise. For instance, it must include workers’ rights (Schweitzer, 2005). Conclusion Ethics deals with a lot of ethical aspects such as what is good or bad, right or wrong, fair or unfair, obligatory or permitted, responsible or irresponsible, praiseworthy or blameworthy. In addition, it encompasses various other aspects such as responsibility, shame, indignation, understanding, anger, compassion and care. It as well addresses issues of public policy as well as more personal matters. Hence, ethics is complicated and frequently confusing and divisive. Due to quickly changing environment of information technology, new and complex ethical concerns are emerging that bring into question the capability of society to tackle, and self-confidently resolve them. This paper has discussed the role of the professional ethics in computer technology. This research has covered the importance and relevance of computer ethics in information technology. This paper has also suggested the guidelines that businesses should adopt to address these ethical issues. Bibliography Duke University. (2011, August). Legal Ethics. Retrieved February 19, 2012, from http://www.law.duke.edu/lib/researchguides/legale Esomar. (2011, February 22). Privacy and ethics in social media research. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://rwconnect.esomar.org/2011/02/22/privacy-and-ethics-in-social-media-research/ Falls, J. (2009, August 31). Why Social Media Demands Professional Ethics. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/why-social-media-demands-professional-ethics/ Friedman, L. (2010, February 25). Information Technology & Social Responsibility. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://baruchnewmedia.com/notes/4910notes/itethics.htm Harris, D. (2011, February 26). How Social Media Is Pushing the Limits of Legal Ethics. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://gigaom.com/2011/02/26/how-social-media-is-pushing-the-limits-of-legal-ethics/ Hyatt, J. (2010, November 19). The Ethics of Social Media – Part II: Playing by New Rules. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://business-ethics.com/2010/11/19/the-ethics-of-social-media-part-ii-playing-by-new-rules/ Kastenberg, B. (2011). Ethics and the Impact of Technology on Society. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://www.nuc.berkeley.edu/research/ethics-and-the-impact-of-technology-on-society Katers, N. (2012). About Ethics in Information Technology. Retrieved February 27, 2012, from eHow.com: http://www.ehow.com/about_4743180_ethics-information-technology.html#ixzz1YeZild7O Maiga, A. H., & A. Aimeur, E. (2009). Privacy protection issues in social networking sites. AICCSA 2009. IEEE/ACS International Conference on Computer Systems and Applications, (pp. 271-278). Rabat . Parr, B. (2012). Social Media Ethics: 4 Common Dilemmas. Retrieved February 28, 2012, from http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/technology/article/social-media-ethics-4-common-dilemmas-ben-parr Peace, A. G. (1997). Software piracy and computer-using professionals: A survey. Journal of Computer Information Systems, Volume 38 Issue 1 , 94-99. Phukan, S., & Dhillon, G. (2000). Ethics and information technology use: a survey of US based SMEs. Information Management & Computer Security, Volume 8 Issue 5 , 239-243. Pritchard, M. S. (2007, July 11). Chapter 2: What is Ethics? (Section I- A Guide To Teaching the Ethical Dimensions of Science). Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://www.onlineethics.org/Education/precollege/scienceclass/sectone/chapt2.aspx Reid, R. A., Thompson, J. K., & Logsdon, J. M. (1992). Knowledge and attitudes of management students toward software piracy. Journal of Computer Information Systems, Volume 33 Issue 1 , 46-51. Schweitzer, D. (2005). Security Lessons Learned. Processor, Volume 27 Issue 20 , 1-76. Sembok, T. M. (2003, November 05). ETHICS OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT). Retrieved February 27, 2012, from http://www2.unescobkk.org/elib/publications/ethic_in_asia_pacific/239_325ETHICS.PDF Shelly, Cashman, & Vermaat. (2005). Discovering Computers 2005. Boston: Thomson Course Technology. Turban, E., Leidner, D., McLean, E., & Wetherbe, J. (2005). Information Technology for Management: Transforming Organizations in the Digital Economy . New York: Wiley. Read More