Code of Ethics for An IT Organization Assignment Sample

• Subject Name : IT Computer Science

Importance of Creating a Code of Ethics for a Business

Contents

Introduction.

Code of Ethics for an IT organization that deals with sensitive customer information.

Questions that will be used to gather feedback regarding any suggested changes that may be made to the document

Ethical Foundations for a Technology Code of Ethics.

Conclusion.

References.

Introduction to Code of Ethics for An IT Organization

Companies in every field are constantly changing as well as evolving with technology. Certain aspects are established not only to protect the business, but also the employees, as well as individuals or groups the business might impact. Moral as well as ethical issues pertaining to the Information Technology professional have driven companies to establish an IT Code of Ethics. This presentation demonstrates why this company needs such a code, explains the importance of implementing it, as well as consider the ethical responsibilities of Information Technology professionals. 

Professionals have a moral responsibility to their professions. As individuals, people have their moral as well as ethical values as well. “Ethics as well as Technology: Controversies, Questions, as well as Strategies for Ethical Computing” states a code of ethics is “extremely important for engineering professionals” because they can’t always rely on their own judgement to make moral decisions (Tavani, 2015, p. 94). Because of the access IT professionals have, a code of ethics becomes particularly important as well as serve as a guidance for ethical decision-making. 

Establishing a code of ethics requires a solid foundation as well as key values are helpful guides in the process. Some of the values of ethical behavior are integrity, competence, professional responsibility, work responsibility, as well as societal responsibility (Woo, 2017). 

Code of Ethics for an IT Organization that Deals with Sensitive Customer Information

Code of Ethics for an IT organization that deals with sensitive customer information are as follows –

1. Shall always put the safety as well as wellbeing of the public as well as not use any computer to harm others.
2. Shall consistently act with honesty as well as maintain integrity of information as well as work.
3. Shall never accept bribes of any kind for personal gain.
4. Shall be respectful of company as well as coworkers as well as honor the confidentiality as well as privacy of others.
5. Shall provide knowledge in his or her area of expertise as well as disclose to employer or customer when they are not.
6. Shall continue developing his or her knowledge of new emerging technologies, as well as the impact these might have on individuals as well as society.
7. Shall treat all people fairly as well as avoid discrimination.
8. Shall be honest as well as report any type of illegal activities that have been conducted as well as/or witnessed by self or others.
9. Shall have an obligation to alert as well as report corresponding authorities of potential vulnerabilities in any technology systems that might have detrimental effects on company assets, employee as well as/or public/customer’s information.
10. Shall remain knowledgeable of the code of ethics as well as assist coworkers in supporting as well as educating others on a regular basis.

Ancient philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, as well as Socrates discussed at length the subject of ethics. They developed the origins that lead us to consider the moral implications of choices we make, as well as consequences generated from these choices. Still in development compared to other professions, a Code of Ethics in Information Technology has become a necessary step for businesses.

Information Technology professionals have access to privileged data. Surveys reveal an alarming number of IT Professionals admitting to doing things that are not suitable to somebody with that level of responsibility, or any professional for that matter. (Brooks, 2010). One of the main purposes of creating a Code of Ethics in this field is to guide professionals to make the right choices. A Code of Ethics guides taking appropriate action when facing difficult situations that would constitute violations of privacy, breach of confidential data, as well as other temptations that come with the level of access that is given to these professionals.

Addressing the challenges faced by these professionals as well as giving them the tools to perform their jobs in a responsible manner are the basis for creating guidelines. Guidelines to conducting business as well as for accessing information ethically, will aid in keeping the professionals as well as the organization protected from possible legal implications that could arise.

The development as well as implementation of ethical codes is important for any business so that their employees have a clear understanding of the organization’s missions as well as values, to establish guidelines to be bound to, as well as to meet expectations from a moral point of view (Leonard, 2019). The actions of IT professionals can have a significantly higher impact to everybody they are dealing with if those actions are not done properly. (Tavani, 2016). These guidelines will hold them accountable for their actions as well as provide guidance on what to do when facing an ethical situation as well as how to resolve it.

Discuss confidentiality limitations as soon as possible, such as electronic transmission as well as predictable use of sensitive information. Ensure secure retention of sensitive records. First, let people know what will happen with case materials, photos, audio as well as video records, as well as ensure consent. Also, make sure that rooms with confidential conversations are sound proof. Understand federal as well as state laws. Learn more about the laws in your state related to your practice. Also, remember how the recent health insurance interoperability as well as accountability laws affect your operations (see HIPAA).

Even if psychologists believe that reports of abuse may worsen the situation, they say, "These laws are not discretionary reporting but compulsory reporting," says lawyer Mathew D. Cohen says: The mandatory reporting method was not designed to make clinicians decide whether abuse or neglect is occurring, but to alert the authorities to determine them.

Questions that Will Be Used to Gather Feedback Regarding Any Suggested Changes that May Be Made to The Document

Questions that will be used to gather feedback regarding any suggested changes that may be made to the document are as follows –

1. How did you know us?
2. Did you meet or exceed your expectations?
3. Did our employees or customer service staff help you? How did you do that?
4. Are there any products, services, or features that are missing?
5. What was the most fun part of your experience?
6. How do you describe your experiences on our website?
7. On a zero (less likely) to 10 (more likely) scale, what is the possibility of recommending us to friends as well as family?
8. How do you assess the overall satisfaction of us from 1 (unhappiness) to 10 (very happy)?
9. On a scale from 1 (not easy) to 10 (very simple), how easy was the checkout experience?
10. What do you want to change about your experience?

Information Technology professionals face multitude of tasks as well as responsibilities. They have the job of running, maintaining as well as protecting networks, infrastructure as well as systems of businesses or organizations. In this line of work IT professionals are privy to lots of personal, important as well as confidential information. This access grants them a great deal of power that unfortunately can be abused. The abuse of power can be intentional or unintentional, though most times it is unintentional. Historically there hasn’t been much standardized ethical training requirements for IT employees. The training for IT employees normally focused on the technical skills as well as knowledge needed to perform their job. Thus, IT professionals are taught how to do their job, but little thought is given to how misuse can occur. More as well as more companies are beginning to address the ethical responsibilities of IT professionals.

An Interpretation of something is an opinion about what it means. What one individual believes is wrong or right may not have the same meaning to someone else. Whether from learned experience, culture or personal beliefs we may not all see things the same. “Ethical responsibility is the ability to recognize, interpret as well as act upon multiple principles as well as values according to the standards within a given field or context.”. (Empire State College, 2019). A code of ethics should be established for organizations to avoid issues due to difference in interpretation. Furthermore, IT professionals should be able to make ethical judgements based on the standards that their organization has set forth.

There are many groups that have come up with IT Code of Ethics which also yields to many ideas on what the guidelines should be. It is important for IT professionals to be honest, trustworthy, respect privacy & confidentiality as well as work in a manner that displays professionalism as well as integrity. IT professionals should also always set positive examples for their peers through their actions. Good ethics is good business. IT professionals should be able to assess situations as well as make the right decision on what is morally right or wrong despite facing ethical dilemmas.

Ethical Foundations for a Technology Code of Ethics

1. To have a clear understanding of the organization’s core values, mission as well as strategic plan to conduct business.
2. To set guidelines for appropriate behaviors as well as a path for corrective actions in case of violation.
3. To address moral issues that impact IT professionals, given their access to protected data.
4. To set them apart from other occupations, given the level of expertise as well as the level of trust that is granted so they can perform responsibly.
5. To keep them abreast with advancements in their field to maintain quality of work as well as prevent malfunction as well as mishaps that could cause legal issues.
6. To avoid conflicts of interest that could jeopardize the task at hand.
7. To emphasize the importance of maintaining ethical behavior (Leonard, 2019).
8. To align the Code of Ethics with policies as well as procedures set by the organization, including but not limited to whistle-blowing as well as code of conduct.

Conclusion on Code of Ethics for An IT Organization

Having a concrete path of solutions to ethical issues can be life or death in the terms of the success or failure of an organization or business. Most importantly IT professionals as well as corporations should always know the laws surrounding whistleblowing as well as employees’ rights. Workplace expectations should be set, as well as employees should know that they will be held accountable for their actions. They should understand that they are required to maintain professional standards in their interaction with peers as well as through their performance.

Workplace ethics training is critical for employees. What some may consider common sense or general knowledge, others with different backgrounds or cultures may interpret very differently. All organizations should have a designated person to handle concerns regarding workplace ethics. Some organizations have anonymous ethics hotlines or ethics coordinators that employees can talk to in person, if they are comfortable in doing so.

Lastly organizations should be consistent when handling employee concerns as well as workplace issues. They should always use the same business practices in every situation to prevent issues of discrimination. All employees should be given the same expectations as well as every issue should be treated with equal understanding of the company policy.

References for Code of Ethics for An IT Organization

Brooks, R. (2010). “The Development of a Code of Ethics: An Online Classroom Approach to Making Connections between Ethical Foundations as well as the Challenges Presented by Information Technology”. American Journal of Business Education, 3(10), 1-14. ISSN-1942-2504. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1058185

Empire State College, (2019). “Ethical Responsibility”. Empire State College. Retrieved from https://www.esc.edu/global-learning-qualifications-framework/learning-domains/ethical-responsibility/

Himma, K. E., & Tavani, H. T. (Eds.). (2008). “The handbook of information as well as computer ethics”. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.library.capella.edu

Leonard, K. (2019). “Importance of Creating a Code of Ethics for a Business. Small Business”. Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com /importance-creating-code-ethics-business-3094.html

Mayhew, Ruth. (February 5, 2019). “How to Handle Ethical Issues in the Workplace”. Small Business - Chron.com. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/ handle-ethical-issues-workplace-10157.html

Nieweler, A. (2016). “Four Reasons Your Business Needs a Code of Ethics”. WhistleBlower Security. Retrieved from https://www.whistleblowersecurity.com /four-reasons-business-needs-code-ethics/

Rauch, Michael. ( July 8, 2011). “Ethical Responsibilities of the Computing Professional”. MichaelRauch.net. Retrieved from https://www.michaelrauch.net/ 2011/07/ethical-responsibilities-of-the-computing-professional/

Siddiqui, Fareed. (n.d.). “Importance of Ethics in Professional Life”. Expertscolumn.com. Retrieved from https://careerandeducation.expertscolumn.com/importance-ethics-your-professional-life

Shinder, Deb. (August 2, 2005). “Ethical Issues for IT Security Professionals”. IDG Communications Inc. Retrieved from https://www.computerworld.com/article/ 2557944/ethical-issues-for-it-security-professionals.html

Tavani, H. T. (2015). “Ethics as well as Technology: Controversies, Questions, as well as Strategies for Ethical Computing”, 5th Edition [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from vbk://9781119186571

Woo, M. (2017). “Ethics as well as the IT Professional”. EDUCAUSE. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/3/ethics-as well as-the-it-professional

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