Code of Ethics in Computing and Information Systems

Ethics are the moral principles by which we govern our lives. Ethics are an important part society because without them the general population that we call society would behave no better than the general population in prison. With this said, Ethics in computing and information systems are the behaviors that are considered acceptable by users and the functionality of the system being used. The information that passes through an information system must be handled ethically to ensure the safety of the user and sensitive information. In addition to ethically handling, the information users must use the system ethically and the systems must be designed to protect against unethical usage.

Computers and information systems are constantly growing changing the face of how we do business and interact in the word. In the early 90’s it was said “In the comparatively short space of forty years, computers have become central to the operations of industrial societies” (Forester, 1994, p. 1). This is noteworthy because in a short time not only have we witnessed the evolution of computers evolved but also the system of ethics and policies that govern their usage. With computers becoming mainstream and access to them growing, new ethical dilemmas arise. These dilemmas vary in nature from computer crime to intellectual property and copy right infringement.

The data contained in computer information systems must be handled ethically for the safety and privacy of those that use the system. For example, PayPal a system designed to make secure transactions online stores credit card and banking information. What would happen if PayPal did not consider ethics and safety of the safety of information stored in their databases? The information stored the...

... middle of paper ...

.... We can limit what the computer or system is doing, we can give it rules or a specific task to accomplish so that it is not capable of performing outside of said rules. How do we determine what data is necessary to the functionality of the system. What makes the collection of that data right or wrong. It is how that data is used.

Bibliography

Forester, T. M. (1994). Computer Ethics : Cautionary Tales and Ethical Dilemmas in Computing. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.

Hoke, T. (2011). Code Addresses New Ethical Challenges. Civil Engineering , 42-43.

HOKE, T. (2013). The Public's Right to Information. Civil Engineering , 38-39.

Kizza, J. M. (2003). Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Udas, K. F. (1996). An Investigation of Ethical Perceptions of Public Sector MIS Professionals. Journal of Business Ethics, 721-734.