Information technology is all in the rage. It’s moving fast and technology itself is growing at exponential rate. With its unprecedented development though, we sometimes step beyond the line and forget to see what is ethical and professional from what is not. This is the exact reason why ICT vacatures are following strict ethical standards implemented for Information Technology.
Why Follow Ethics in IT?
Ethics in this regards to this matter is focused on studying ethical issues that may arise from the use and the development of electronic technology. Its main goal is identifying and formulating answers to questions in relation to moral basis of a person’s actions and responsibilities and not to mention, moral underpinnings of the public policy.
Due to the reason that information technology or IT is affecting not just how we are doing things but also how we are thinking about them, it is also challenging few basic organization ideas of political and moral philosophy similar to:
- Privacy
- Property
- Basic Liberties
- Moral Responsibilities and;
- Distribution of Power
Specific questions that have to be answered do include but not limited to the following:
- What are considered to be moral responsibilities of an IT professional?
- Who would be to blame whenever computer software failed and brought harm?
- Is it immoral to hack computers or make unauthorized software copies?
As per the questions related to public policy, it involves what constitutes a just policy in regards to freedom of speech, exercise of civil liberties and association to computer networks? What are the determining factors for the limits and extent of property rights when it comes to electronic information and computer software and lastly, what policies are good enough to protect privacy rights?
What Sets the Professionals from Amateurs?
These lists of questions are in response to the fast development of information technology.
A good example to take into consideration here is the information and communication to the exponential growth of ultra fast digital networks.
Just because one has the knowledge in information technology, anyone can toy around. It’s not like that. There are rules or in this case, “ethics” that should be followed to ensure that it will be used morally and responsibly.
