IT Compliance and Open Source Overview

Social and Professional Issues

• Module 1 is about Ethics for IT Professionals and IT Users

• Module 1, Subtopic 1 is about IT Worker Relationships That Must Be Managed

• IT workers have relationships with: Society, Employers, Clients, Suppliers, and Other Professionals

• IT workers are not legally recognized as professionals in all jurisdictions

• IT workers are not liable for malpractice because they do not meet the legal definition of a professional

• IT workers should set an example and follow policies regarding ethical use of IT.

• Areas of concern for ethics are software piracy, trade secrets, whistle-blowing

• Module 1, Intended Learning Outcomes: Distinguish a professional from other kinds of workers, Discuss importance of communication in the workplace, Explain codes of ethics, professional organizations, certification, and licensing affect ethical behavior of IT professionals

• Module 1, Subtopic 1: (Detailed overview, but not listed)

• Module 1 contains various examples of IT worker professionals

• Module 1 discusses legal and professional perspectives

• Module 2 is about Freedom of Expression

• Module 2, Intended Learning Outcomes: Know legal basis for freedom of speech, Discuss key federal laws affecting online freedom of expression, Know how Internet presents new challenges in freedom of expression, Understand issues related to use of information technology.

• First Amendment rights: freedom of religion, expression, and assembly (important for free people everywhere)

• The Internet enables worldwide exchange of news, ideas, opinions, rumors, and information

• Obscene speech may not be protected by the First Amendment.

• Defamation, including slander and libel, is not protected by the First Amendment.

• Key issues for freedom of expression: controlling access to information, internet censorship, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP), anonymity, John Doe lawsuits, hate speech, pornography, and fake news.

• Module 3 is about Intellectual Property

• Module 3, Subtopic 1 is about Intellectual Property

• Discusses copyright, patent, trade secret laws

• Protecting intellectual property is crucial for an organization's success

• The main parts of codes of ethics created by professional organizations include aspirations and rules/principles expected of members.

• Copyright protects creative work (film, music, etc.)

• Module 3, Subtopic 2 is about Current Intellectual Property Issues

• Includes plagiarism, reverse engineering, open source code, competitive intelligence, and trademark infringement.

• Plagiarism is stealing someone else's ideas or words and claiming them as one's own

• Reverse engineering is the process of deconstructing something to understand how it works or improve it.

• Open source code is freely available code, frequently and widely used

• Competitive intelligence is legally obtaining information to gain an advantage over rivals.

• A trademark is a recognizable symbol for a business' goods or services

• Cybersquatting is wrongly registering domain names for popular products to sell later.

• Module 4 is about Privacy

• Module 4, Subtopic 1 is about Privacy Protection and the Law

• Privacy, anonymity, violations of privacy

• How personal information gets revealed through technology.

• Ways to protect privacy: technology (spam filters), markets (choosing email providers), choosing not to open emails with unpleasant or unfamiliar headers.

• Different types of privacy harm: information collection, processing, intrusions, information dissemination.

• The use of information technology needs to balance the needs of users of the information with the rights and desires of the people whose information is being used

• The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures

• Systems that gather data: automatic license plate readers, computer scanning systems, cookies, drones, etc.

• Module 5 is about Cyberattacks and Cybersecurity

• Module 5, Subtopic 1 is about The Threat Landscape

• Important to protect business data, customer data, and employee information.

• Cyber-crime is an activity done using computers and the internet to achieve harmful results, especially criminal ones.

• Cyber security involves technologies and processes to prevent unauthorized access.

• Categories of cyber-crime: the computer as a target, the computer as a weapon

• Exploits: ransomware, viruses (code), worms (self-replicating), trojan horses (hidden malicious code), blended threats, email spam, phishing, spear phishing, smishing, vishing, cyberespionage, cyberterrorism.

• Challenges to prevent computer attacks: increasing complexity of cyber systems, bringing your own device (BYOD), growing reliance on commercial software with known vulnerabilities

• Increasing sophistication of individuals seeking to cause harm.

• Types of individuals behind cyber attacks: Black hat hackers, Crackers, Malicious insiders, Industrial Spies, Cybercriminals, Hacktivists, Cyberterrorists.

• Module 6 is about Risk and Responsibility

• Module 6, Subtopic 1 is about Computer Liability

• Hardware reliability-fails due to physical deterioration, follows bathtub curve: burn-in period, useful life, wear-out period

• Reliability measures (time of failure, interval between, cumulative, in time intervals)

• Computer liability-barriers to digital communication: physical, emotional, identity, semantic, accessibility, attention, credibility

• Strategies for keeping computer files safe: Regularly backing up, using external drives, storing in the cloud, controlling and encrypting files.

• Analysis of factors affecting failures of critical computer systems and why problems arise-how to improve systems

• Key areas for improving design: solid requirements, realistic schedules, adequate testing, sticking to basic requirements, communication, and roles in the design process

• What do computer scientists do: develop new algorithms, languages, methods for working with computers, test systems and design, build models/theories, present findings to public, improve hardware/software performance

• Module 7 is about Ethical Decisions in Software Development

• Module 7, Subtopic 1 is about Software Quality

• High-quality software is needed in the business system

• Software defects (errors) affect the quality of the system.

• Quality management and principles to ensure high-quality software

• Different types of software product liability, including negligence and breach of warranty.

• Module 8 is about the Impact of Information Technology on Productivity and Quality of Life

• Labor productivity-a measure of economic performance comparing amount of goods and services produced to labor hours.

• Additional factors affecting productivity: business cycle (expansion/contraction), outsourcing, regulations (hiring, firing, etc.)

• The use of IT in the business world and effect on standards of living and business productivity

• Impact of IT use on health care costs

• IT components in the healthcare industry: Computerized patient records, Clinical decision support, Computerized provider order entry, and Telehealth

• Module 9 is about Social Media

• Discusses the importance of social networking sites

• Includes common features and popularity of platforms.

• Social media as an application for business operations

• Social Media Marketing-raising awareness, getting customers, driving traffic to the site, using ads and reviews to market

• Social Media in the hiring process to research candidates

• Improving customer service using social media

• Social shopping platforms

• Social media ethical issues, including: Cyber abuse, Cyber harassment, and Cyberstalking. Strategies to avoid such behavior and dangers on social media sites like warnings to friends or not revealing personal information