Security, Privacy and Ethics in TechnologyEssay Preview: Security, Privacy and Ethics in TechnologyReport this essayTechnology has created many conveniences including increases in production, automation and increased revenue in the workplace. However, with these conveniences, come various challenges associated with ethics, security and privacy with the use of technology in the workplace.
When dealing with technology, concerns regarding intellectual property, copyright laws and the Fair Use Doctrine must be considered. In my workplace, there are many examples of intellectual property, which is defined as “intangible creative work that is embodied in physical form.” (Haag & Cummings, p. 226.) These examples include company brochures and flyers. One method that my company uses to address issues surrounding intellectual property, copyright laws and the Fair Use Doctrine, is the use of a disclaimer that every employee must acknowledge prior to signing on to any company computer. The disclaimer states that all programs and any information contained on the computer you are logging onto are the property of the company and are not to be copied or reproduced. Even though there is this disclaimer, my company does allow each employee to download the Microsoft Office 2007 software program for home use. However, once employment is severed the program must be uninstalled.
With regard to privacy, the company disclaimer also states that the computer is the property of the company and any information inserted or contained within the computer is not considered private. It becomes the property of the company. To address concerns regarding privacy for my companys business, its employees and customers, various filtering devices are instituted on each computer. Each employee must use a password to log in and computer usage is tracked. There is also filtering as far as internet use that will block certain internet sites. These securities address both security and privacy concerns and help to alleviate possible incoming threats to security and privacy, for the company, the employee and customer information.
There are roles that leaders within the workplace must take with respect to establishing guidelines and ensuring ethical behavior that have to do with the use of technology. One method that business leaders can use to establish guidelines regarding the technology that employees use is to establish an ethical code of conduct that outlines the companys expectations in this regard. Once the ethical code of conduct or acceptable use policy is established, employees must be tested to ensure that they understand it. I also believe that requiring employees to take an annual test acknowledging the ethical code of conduct or acceptable use policy and any changes to it would be beneficial. My workplace has instituted similar guidelines and policies to the ones I have mentioned. Each year, every employee is required to take an ethics course and be tested on the companys “acceptable use policy.” Actions such as these will help
Employers are encouraged to work more with their business representatives to develop the appropriate ethical code and standard protocols and ensure that the conduct of both a company and its employees is taken into account.
Employers must also be aware that some companies may have a law enforcement capability that will assist in the determination of the appropriate ethical code of conduct and standardization practices for their operations. My workplace regularly meets with police and the criminal justice industry to ensure that law enforcement or government agencies working to prosecute crimes are properly prepared in their conduct and procedures.
Consequently, if criminal charges be brought, the action must take place after the charge has been resolved and may not be continued until the criminal case has been resolved. I also believe the ethical code of conduct should be established and followed.
My research has not provided me with definitive findings. To clarify, I’m not a “firmware expert.”
I recently conducted a research project in my university to determine whether the best and most ethical conduct policy is known and maintained by the company for employees to use technology.
A firm should be able to use its own standards for conducting its business. The best policy guidelines based on this research were developed by a committee of management experts to define and maintain the best best practice for ethical conduct, and by its own research to identify and resolve any potential bias in what could be viewed at an individual level.
- Frequently Asked Questions in the Corporate Handbook
- If you have a problem, you should ask your management team. I also believe that they should investigate and implement practices they develop to help their employees follow good practice guidelines.
- My company has the honor of being located in the heart of Silicon Valley. It’s a wonderful place of innovation and diversity. We are dedicated to providing a healthy workplace open to all, and yet there are some companies that have policies that could potentially have a very negative impact on hiring and promotion decisions.
- This article is intended for those considering applying for employment with certain sectors of the company. In addition, I am not a firm expert on the business of hiring. If you don’t have some experience in this area, feel free to read my previous articles before making your selection in this article.