Professional Ethics in a Security and Privacy Context – the Perspective of a National Computing Society

Abstract

Reference to the words profession and ethics in the media is becoming increasingly common as is the incidence of litigation and exposure by individuals and businesses alike to information technology. Yet, the meaning of the terms profession and ethics remains nebulous for most of us. Perhaps Levin [1] had the right idea in simplifying our understanding when in a speech he used the principle of the camel in illustrating the meaning of a profession: ”few can define it, but none can fail to recognise it.” This is equally appropriate to ethics.

One of the outcomes arising from the recent Y2K situation was an enhanced awareness by society at large of its dependence on IT systems. Y2K also focussed a spotlight on those working in the IT industry with an expectation that they perform their work in a professional manner. Ethics has always been considered a cornerstone of professional practice. Certainly a policy of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) is inappropriate with respect to the computing profession. It is time to reinforce our professionalism through adherence to a rigorous Code of Ethics specified by a professional IT society so that a policy of credat emptor (let the buyer trust) becomes the accepted norm.