Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
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4.05. Disclose to all concerned parties those conflicts of interest that cannot
reasonably be avoided or escaped.
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6.02. Promote public knowledge of software engineering.
Professor Smith freely provided Sam Shaw with valuable information about
network security.
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6.05. Not promote their own interest at the expense of the profession, client or
employer.
Professor Smith did not tell Sam Shaw that she had a personal stake in the
success of the NetCheks software. She did not tell him about the “best buy”
package that may have provided him every feature he needed at a much
lower price.
Mr. Shaw was asking Professor Smith for free advice, and she provided it.
When she freely shared her knowledge about network security, she was acting in
the spirit of clauses 1.08 and 6.02, and doing a good thing.
However, Professor Smith appears to have violated the other three clauses,
at least to some degree. Most important, she did not reveal her personal interest
in NetCheks, which could lead her to be biased. The fact that she did not
mention the “best buy” package is evidence that she was neither evenhanded
nor completely forthcoming when she answered Mr. Shaw's question about
software packages.
Perhaps Mr. Shaw should have heeded the maxim, “Free advice is worth
what you pay for it.” Nevertheless, the ignorance or foolishness of one person
does not excuse the bad behavior of another. Professor Smith should have
revealed her conflict of interest. At that point Mr. Shaw could have chosen to
get another opinion if he so desired.
SCENARIO
Joe Green, a system administrator for a large corporation, is installing a new
software package on the PC used by employee Chuck Dennis. The company has
not authorized Joe to read other people's emails, Web logs, or personal files.
However, in the course of installing the software, he accidentally comes across
directories containing files with suspicious-looking names. He opens a few of
the files and discovers they contain child pornography. Joe believes possessing
such images is against federal law. What should he do?
Analysis
Looking over the list of nine fundamental principles, we find these to be most
relevant to our scenario:
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Be impartial.
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Respect the rights of others.
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Treat others justly.
