A Discussion of Cyber Ethics Paper Example

Introduction

It is evident that ethics and morals values are the core of every profession irrespective of the field of practice. It is essential that all professionals maintain high standards of moral values and observe the ethical code that has been stipulated by either the organizations that regulate their line of duty or the organizations. Discussed below are some strengths and weaknesses of the code.

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Strengths of the Code

After reviewing the code, there was the identification of some strength. One of the strengths of the code is the provision of education. The code educates the members of the profession about their professional obligation (ACM, 1992). For example, the code of ethics does inform the professor on what they are obliged to do in their course of duty. It states that they should be honest and trustworthy, computer professionals are required to be honest about what they can do and their qualification, they should also be honest in addressing any other issues of interest. As per the code, computer professional should not in any way use their expertise or prowess to intrude into the privacy of any person or in any way acquire private information that should not be in their possession. Also, computer engineers use their knowledge in technology to improve the standards of living because they must use skills for the betterment of the future as well as for the general improvement of the wellbeing of the society (Tavani, 2003). The code, in this case, tries to establish actually what a computer expert should or should not do by obliging the expert to be honest and trustworthy when offering services to clients.

The other strength identified in the code is the provision of ethics. The code causes an inspiration to computer engineering professionals to adhere to ethics, thus serving as a reference point to which all professionals are required to look up (ACM, 1992). As a result, the code acts as a benchmark of how professionals are supposed to carry out whatever they do. The code provides a clear path that directs the experts to ensure that their behavior depicts a perfect image that will ensure that all the people that they interact with are satisfied. Good ethics provides an excellent environment that favors effective working and achieving the best possible results in whatever activity they engage in (Tavani, 2003). For instance, abiding by the code helps engineers to learn new traits that improve their working capability. Therefore, the code has strengths of improving the ethics of computer experts. Apart from the strengths of educating and improving ethics, the also has the strength of sensitizing.

Members of the software engineering profession get sensitized on ethical aspects that required consideration when providing cybersecurity services to the general public (ACM, 1992). Ethics and values are relative and inexhaustible; some people might regard a particular aspect as ethical but others might overlook the same element because to them might not have similar moral intensity. The code then tries to wrap up all the ethical elements that appropriately apply in the profession of software engineering. The code allows experts to learn about some ethical issues that they might not have known previously. For instance, confidentiality to some people might not seem unethical, but the code requires that professionals to maintain high levels of privacy on sensitive information to avoid any possible calamities that might arise from the disclosing of the particular information. Preventing harm is also one of the ethical traits stated in the code, this might be overlooked since it seems as if one cannot be in any chance to cause any harm. What should be noted is that computer experts play a vital role in enhancing the cybersecurity of the general public (Tavani & Grodzinsky, 2014). This is due to the increased cases of cyber theft and other internet related violations of the law.

Weaknesses of the Code

After visiting the provided site, there was the identification of some weaknesses in the code. One of the shortcomings was the provision of general and vogue directives (Tavani, 2003). Most of the guidelines offered by the code are too broad and vogue. In some cases it is found that the codes that professionals are supposed to consider might be too many, in some cases the main information might undergo fabrication into other information which makes some of the codes repetitive and vogue, the more specific the codes are, their implementation becomes much more comfortable and they tend to make even more sense. Some information might also be termed as vogue because the code does not convey the required information appropriately since they lack enough detail to bring out the required information (Luegenbiehl & Clancy, 2017). This limits the proper understanding of the professional which in turn affects how those who read they interpret the ethics.

Another weakness noted about the code is incomplete and exhaustive directives. The code is never complete or exhaustive as it just states all the ethics with no specifications. There are so many ethical values that when argued appropriately would as well suite a specific scenario (Gotterbarn et al., 2001). This makes it difficult to distinguish between what should be considered unethical and ethical. One might be unethical in his or her line of duty but fortunately or unfortunately what they engage in is not captured in the code. This can be very controversial since by considering the code, the person has not in any way acted against what is stated but may be from a practical examination of the scenario, the person might be proven to be unethical in a certain way. Besides, the fact that ethics are inexhaustible makes it challenging to handle instances that might not be stated in the document.

Ethical Issues Identified

After the review of the scenario of analysis found at the end of the chapter, there are some ethical issues identified. These ethical issues include competence in the process of offering services, maintaining a high standard of the quality of work and services offered, honoring agreements and contracts as well as improving the knowledge of computing and technology in the society (ACM, 1992). The other ethical issue identified is diligent and giving accurate information in the line of duty.

Parties Impacted by the Decision

Any decisions based on the identified ethical issues directly affect the community and the people that directly interact with computer technology professionals. This is because it is they must ensure an improved understanding of computer technology to the general public (De George, 2003). Therefore, it is expected that software engineering has to establish good relations with individuals in the general public to ensure they pass the required information effectively.

The other individuals affected by the decision of arriving at particular ethical issues are individually working with computer engineers. The people working software professional are affected because they are not accorded the right conditions of work and also their diligence and hard work is not appreciated in any way. The outcome this is low motivation to continue delivering quality work (Gotterbarn et al., 2001). Poor standards of working conditions do affect not only the employees but also the employers because if the quality of work from the employee depreciates, this means that the general output of the entire organization which will also reduce.

The course of Action Undertaken

Addressing identified ethical issues requires actions for improved adherence to the code of practice. The weaknesses and strengthens of the code are the basis for the course of action undertake through critical analysis. As an individual, I will ensure compliance with the code of conduct to be a role model to others. Being a role model will occur by the establishment of a commitment to act ethically. The other course of action that I will take is attending programs where codes of ethics are taught (Bowyer, 2000). Lastly, I will try to be consistent in paying attention to the requirement of the code.

Analysis of Willingness for Whistleblowing and the Code's Principles

Whistleblowing would not be the best alternative that would address the issues occurring between the employee and the employer. This is because whistleblowing works well to try and act as a warning to any other individual that wishes in any way to partner with the specific organization to be warned because whistleblowing would create controversy (Tavani & Grodzinsky, 2014). Although other approaches can be considered in addressing the ethical issues that arise from a specific scenario. To my opinion whistleblowing would be my option what I because it does not only solve the problem at hand but also seeks to bring out the unethical behaviors portrayed by the organization ("shoot the messenger: the value of whistleblowing," 2018). To some extent, I will rely on the principles outlined in the code, but their underlying shortcomings may render my decision ineffective. As a result, I will concentrate on whistle-blowing due to its effectiveness to address the issues between the employee and the employer as well as showing the unethical behaviors portrayed in the organization.

References

ACM, C. M. (1992). ACM code of ethics and professional conduct. Code of Ethics.

Bowyer, K. (2000, May). Video resources for use in teaching ethics and computing. In ACM SIGCSE Bulletin (Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 217-221). ACM.

De George, R. T. (2003). Ethics, academic freedom and academic tenure. Journal of Academic Ethics, 1(1), 11-25.

Gotterbarn, D., Miller, K., Rogerson, S., Barber, S., Barnes, P., Burnstein, I., ... & Jayaram, N. (2001). Software engineering code of ethics and professional practice. Science and Engineering Ethics, 7(2), 231-238.

Luegenbiehl, H., & Clancy, R. (2017). Global engineering ethics. Butterworth-Heinemann. Shoot the messenger: the value of whistleblowing. (2018). [TV programme].

Tavani, H. T. (2003). Ethics and technology: Ethical issues in an age of information and communication technology.

Tavani, H. T., & Grodzinsky, F. S. (2014). Trust, betrayal, and whistle-blowing: Reflections on the Edward Snowden case. ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 44(3), 8-13.