INET 2001
Fundamentals
of IT
Professor Colin Miller
Overview of ethics in IT/ICT practices
Introduction to Importance of data privacy, security, and compliance
Professional
Ethics and Introduction to legal regulations and responsibilities
Responsibility in
IT/ICT Ethical dilemmas in the IT/ICT field
Ensuring ethical integrity in professional roles
Learning Objectives for Module 7: Professional Ethics and Responsibility in
IT/ICT
Identify and analyze key ethical issues in IT/ICT
Understand data privacy, security, and legal compliance
Develop a code of ethics for IT/ICT practices
Assess and solve real-world IT ethical dilemmas
Confirm and finalize details for informational interviews
Key Ethical Considerations in
IT/ICT Practices
• Balancing innovation with ethical
responsibility
• Handling user data with care and
transparency
• Mitigating risks in cybersecurity and data
breaches
• Navigating conflicts of interest in the IT
industry
• Ensuring inclusivity and fairness in
technology design
Data Privacy and Security
Concerns in IT/ICT
• The rise of data breaches and their impact
on organizations
• Privacy concerns with personal data
collection and use
• Security measures to safeguard sensitive
information
• Legal frameworks governing data privacy
(e.g., GDPR, HIPAA)
• Ethical responsibility in data handling and
reporting breaches
Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
in IT/ICT
• Overview of key regulations: GDPR,
HIPAA, CCPA
• Ensuring compliance with legal standards
in data handling
• Consequences of non-compliance for
organizations
• The role of IT professionals in
maintaining legal standards
• Ethical responsibility in navigating legal
gray areas
Creating a Code of Ethics for IT/ICT Practices
• Key components of a strong IT/ICT ethical code
• Incorporating privacy, security, and transparency
• Handling ethical dilemmas in real-world scenarios
• Encouraging ethical behavior across teams and projects
• Aligning ethical standards with company culture
Case Study: Ethical Dilemmas in
IT/ICT
• Examining a real-world ethical issue in IT
• Identifying conflicting ethical principles
• Analyzing the impact of decisions on
stakeholders
• Proposing ethically sound solutions
• Discussing the long-term implications of
actions
• Refer to Data Breach at XYZ
Corporation: Disclose or Delay document
Discussion Question: Ethical Responsibility in
IT/ICT
• What are some potential ethical challenges you foresee in your future career in IT/ICT?
• How would you address them while balancing business and legal considerations?
The Role of Ethical Leadership in
IT/ICT
• Leading by example: Promoting ethical
behavior in teams
• Encouraging transparency and
accountability in IT projects
• Balancing innovation with responsibility
• The role of mentorship in fostering
ethical practices
• Developing a culture of ethics within
organizations
Discussion Question: Data Privacy and Ethical
Boundaries
• How should IT professionals balance the need for data access and analysis with the ethical
responsibility to protect user privacy?
• Can data analytics be both powerful and ethical?
Discussion Question: Data Privacy and Ethical
Boundaries - Answer
• Data as a Powerful Tool: Data is essential for innovation, driving better decisions, optimizing operations,
and personalizing user experiences. However, with great power comes great responsibility.
• Privacy by Design: IT professionals should prioritize user privacy from the outset of any project. This
involves designing systems that limit data access to what is necessary and implementing strong security
measures to protect user information.
• Informed Consent: Users should be made fully aware of how their data will be used, allowing them to
make informed decisions about sharing their information.
• Transparency and Accountability: Companies must be transparent in their data practices, regularly
auditing how data is used and ensuring accountability for breaches or misuse.
• Ethical Data Analytics: It is possible to leverage data for powerful insights while upholding privacy
standards by using techniques like anonymization and aggregation, ensuring data is used responsibly without
violating user trust.
Confirming and Finalizing
Informational Interviews
• Steps to securing an informational
interview
• Communicating professionally with
industry contacts
• Preparing questions that address ethical
challenges in IT/ICT
• Leveraging interviews to gain insights into
real-world ethical issues
• Finalizing logistics: dates, times, and
confirmation
Summary and Key Takeaways from Module 7
• The critical role of ethics in IT/ICT practices
• Understanding data privacy, security, and legal compliance
• The importance of a personal and organizational code of ethics
• Ethical leadership and accountability in IT/ICT
• Practical application through informational interviews and case studies
