Topic 5-Code of Ethics For IT Professionals
Topic 5-Code of Ethics For IT Professionals
Guidance − Codes are written in brief yet prove effective in offering general
guidance to the engineers. More specific directions may be given in
supplementary statements or guidelines, which tell how to apply the code. If
needed, the assistance is obtained for further specification.
Deterrence and Discipline − The professionals who fail to follow the codes
exhibit unethical conduct, which is evident from the disobedience towards their
profession. Such an investigation generally requires paralegal proceedings
designed to get at the truth about a given charge without violating the personal
rights of those being investigated. This might lead to expulsion of those whose
professional conduct has been proven unethical, which also leads to loss of
respect from colleagues and the local community.
organise the resources available to him and optimise these in attaining the objectives of his organisation,
use the codes of practice conveyed by the CSI from time to time in carrying out his tasks,
not misuse his authority or office for personal gains,
comply with the Indian laws relating to the management of his organisation particularly with regard to Privacy
and Piracy, and operate within the spirit of these laws,
conduct his affairs so as to uphold project and further the image and reputation of the CSI,
maintain integrity in research and publications.
act with integrity in carrying out the !awful policy and instructions of his organisation and uphold its image and
reputation,
plan, establish and review objectives and tasks for himself and his subordinates which are compatible with the
Codes of Practice of other professionals in the enterprise, and direct all available effort towards the success of
the enterprise rather than of himself,
fully respect the confidentiality of information which comes to him in the course of his duties, and not use
confidential information for personal gain or in a manner which may be detrimental to his organisation or his
clients,
not snoop around in other people's computer files,
in his contacts and dealings with other people, demonstrate his personal integrity and humanity and when
called to give an opinion in his professional capacity, shall, to the best of his ability, give an opinion that is
objective and reliable.
3. As regards the EMPLOYEES, an IT professional should:
set an example to his subordinates through his own work and performance, through his leadership and by
taking account of the needs and problems of his subordinates,
develop people under him to become qualified for higher duties,
pay proper regard to the safety and well-being of the personnel for whom he is responsible,
share his experience with fellow professionals.
ensure that the terms of all contracts and terms of business be stated clearly and unambiguously and
honoured,
in no circumstance supply inherently unsafe goods or services,
not use the computer to harm other people or to bear false witness,
be objective and impartial when giving independent advice.
Computer Ethics
Computers with Internet raise a host of difficult moral issues, many of them
connected with basic moral concerns such as free speech, privacy, respect
for property, informed consent and harm. To evaluate and deal with these
issues, a new area of applied ethics called Computer Ethics has come up.
These ethics are related to all the computer professionals such as
programmers, analysts, operators, designers, etc. along with the users.
However, these ethics are facing lax in today’s world. A very small section
of concerned individuals seems to be following these ethics. A large section
seems to be violating these ethics. With this, there is an unprecedented
increase in cybercrime.
There come issues which call for trouble wherein, computers are used in
embezzlement and other forms of stealing money or financial assets. The
issues concerning theft of software and information is again a similar one.
The computers are centrally involved when an unauthorized person uses a
telephone computer system to obtain private phone numbers or when
maliciously alters or scrambles the programming of a telephone computer.
In today’s world, malicious people have come up with not one but various
ways of exploiting money, goods, services, assets, etc. through the
computers and internet. The Internet besides easing our work has also
paved way to gather an individual’s confidential details easily.
The two main factors that make computers troublesome are their speed and
geographical coverage, which allows the masses to be victimized further.
The difficulty lies in tracing the underlying transactions to apprehend the
thieves. This problem is compounded when the communication lines linking
the computers involved cross national boundaries.
The most commonly discussed cases of computer abuse are instances such
as −
Privacy Factors
The misuse of Internet also influences privacy factors. The illegal attackers
or hackers get access to restricted data which is a security threat.
The inappropriate access which leads to security breach in an office leads to the
leakage of confidential information which might severely affect the growth of
the company.
The hackers who crack the security and get unauthorized entry into the highly
secured information zone, tend to copy the content or they may change the
content, delete the content or get it affected with virus as soon as the
authorized personnel opens the file.
The different types of viruses such as Trojan Horse, Memory Resident,
Overwrite, Browser Hijacker, Directory Virus, etc. can create instances wherein,
the data on computer system get affected in various ways.
The legitimate access to information is restricted to protect individual privacy,
national security and freedom within a capitalist economy to protect proprietary
information essential in pursuing corporate goals.
The Privacy Act of 1947 prohibits the information contained in government files
from being used for purposes beyond those for which it was originally gathered.