Unit 11

• What are ethics?

  Moral principles or values that guide behaviour within a society
• What are morals?

  Personal beliefs about what is right and wrong
• What are computer ethics?

  Moral guidelines that govern the use of computer and information systems
• What are virtues and vices?

  Virtue is the habit that inclines people to do what is acceptable

  Vice is the habit of unacceptable behaviour
• What is the law?

  System of rules, enforced by a set of institutions, that tells us what we can and cannot do
• What is a code of ethics?

  A set of rules and principles designed to encourage ethical conduct among a group of professionals
• What is corporate social responsibility?

  The responsibility of a corporation to consider the impact of its actions on society and the environment
• Approaches to enure ethical decision-making?

  Ethics training - educate employees how to apply code of ethics in real life to encourage ethical behaviour
• Ethical decisions?

  When dealing with computer crimes, a firm should:

  1. Pursue prosecution of criminals at all costs
  2. Maintain low profile to avoid negative publicity
  3. Inform affected customers

  
  

  Decisions to be taken by a firm:

  1. How many resources needed to safeguard against computer crime
  2. What actions should be taken when:

  • a software is found susceptible to hacking
  • recommended computer security safeguarding increase operating costs
• Ethical issues?

  ...

  • Software piracy
  • Trade secret -
  • Whistle blowing - the act of reporting misconduct or wrongdoings within an organization
  • Conflict of interest - conflict between employee's self-interest and the interests of the client
  • Fraud - Obtaining goods, services or property through deception or trickery
  • Misrepresentation - Misstatement or incomplete statement of a material fact
  • Breach of contract - When one party fails to meet the terms of a contract
• Bribes and gifts?

  Bribes:

  • Made in secret
  • Often made indirectly through a 3rd party
  • Encourage an obligation for the recipient to act favourably towards the donor

  Gifts:

  • Made openly and publicly
  • Usually made directly from donor to recipient
  • Comes with no expectation or future favour for the donor