ACS Code of Professional Conduct

Running head: ACS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
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ACS Code of Professional Conduct
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ACS CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 2
ACS Code of Professional Conduct
Introduction
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) code of professional conducts provides a
framework on how its members should operate. It contains guidelines that guide their decision-
making process during the day to day operations as well as professional standards that every
expert in the computing sector must adhere to. The codes ensure that professionals under the
Australian Computer Society prioritize ethical concerns while carrying out their duties and
responsibilities. This essay is about the "Early Launch" video analysis and the ethical issues it
raises according to ACS Code of Professional Conduct.
Video Analysis
According to the video called "Early launch," the program director asks the project
manager to release software program early. The software company is pushing for the early
release to make the customer happy although the consequences for this are well known. Early
release of the software will put the developers under pressure and are most likely to use short
cuts in the coding process. Even with the developers using short cuts, they cannot deliver this
software with security encryption. Program director suggests that they can provide the software a
month early and the security encryption can be attached to the next software update because he
believes that the chances of getting hacked are meager.
If the project manager surrenders to the pressure and releases the software product early
without the security encryption, hackers can easily find the vulnerability and hacked the
software. It could be a massive data breach, and the users' privacy violation are there. Data
privacy is very crucial in any organization as it can raise lawsuits that can make the organization
lose huge amounts of money, (Clarke, 2016). The company has the responsibility to safeguard

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and protect customers' data as well as vital organization data that could give its competitors a
competitive advantage.
This case raises several ethical issues according to the ACS Code of Professional
Conduct. The project manager is under pressure to release the software early to make the
customer happy and make the company get more revenues. However, the software has security
challenges that have to be dealt with before it can be released. The software is very prone to
hacking, and this can be a massive security breach, and the sensitive data can get into the public.
In such a situation, the program director has to demonstrate high professional standards as
required by the ACS code of standards. Project manager surrenders to pressure and works for the
early release. The program director yields to the pressure although he is expected to oppose the
release by citing the negative consequences of the early release as well as the ACS code of
conduct requirements.
When the program director asked to release the software product early project manager
can professionally communicate with the program director and he should have an ability to
explain what can be the outcome of the early release, without ignoring the request straight away.
Due to the early release, the project manager is even risking his job, and it could affect the
ongoing project. This is risky even to the company since they will lose their skilled employees as
well as destroy their public reputation, (Leicester, 2016). The program manager should explain
these issues to the program director and strongly oppose the early release.
The Primacy of Public Interest is the first code in the ACS Code of Professional Conduct.
The public interest is superior to personal, sectional and business interests, (Burmeister, 2017).
The software company violated this code since it is mandated with the responsibility of