Evaluating IT Ethics of Software Launch with ACS Code: A Case Study

This essay delves into the ethical considerations surrounding the premature launch of software, specifically examining a scenario where a program director contemplates releasing software without encryption. The analysis is grounded in the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Professional Conduct, evaluating the situation against its core values, including public interest, quality of life enhancement, honesty, competence, and professionalism. The essay concludes that launching the software without proper security measures is unethical, as it compromises user data privacy and violates several tenets of the ACS code. Recommendations include adhering to the original launch schedule to ensure data security and uphold ethical standards, thereby safeguarding the company's reputation and user trust. Desklib offers a range of solved assignments and past papers to aid students in their studies.

Running head: TOPICS IN IT ETHICS
Topics in IT Ethics
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TOPICS IN IT ETHICS
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................................................................2
1. The Scenario: Early Launch............................................................................................2
2. Australian Computer Society Code of Professional Conduct..........................................2
3. Analysis...........................................................................................................................3
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................4
Recommendations................................................................................................................5
References............................................................................................................................6

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Introduction
The report aims in analysis of an ethical situation on basis of Australian Computer
Society Code of Professional Conduct. The scenario involves a conversation between a program
director and a project manager regarding early launch of a software without encryption. The
ethical judgement will be based on the ACS code of professional conduct. The detailed scenario,
the code of professional conduct and the analysis of the scenario in indicated in the paragraphs
below.
1. The Scenario: Early Launch
The scenario depicts a discussion of the project manager and the program manager
regarding launching a software without encryption. The project manager explains the possible
risks related to launching of software (Scenario 3: Early Launch, 2018). The program director
however suggests to launch the software without encryption as the encryption of the information
can be included in the system in form of a security update later. The scenario ends with three
options. First option include the program director surrendering to pressure. The second option
include program director not listening to project manager’s recommendations and replacing him
from the project. The third option include program director listening to the team.
Launching a software without working on its security might not be ethical. The particular
software associated with the scenario involves storage of personal and sensitive information of
millions of users (Burmeister, 2017). Therefore, security encryption in the software becomes
essential. The case is reviewed based on the ACS code of professional conduct in the following
sections of the report.
2. Australian Computer Society Code of Professional Conduct

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The Australian Computer Society (ACS) code of professional conduct is associated with
certain values, which are as follows (alZahir & Kombo, 2014)-
The Primacy of the Public Interest: According to the ACS code, the interest of public
should be prioritized above the any sorts of business, personal or sectional interest.
The Enhancement of Quality of Life: This value states that one should make an effort
of improving the quality of life of an individual.
Honesty: Representation of knowledge, skills and services should involve an honest
process (McDermid, 2015).
Competence: Interaction and related work of a person with the stakeholders should be
competent and diligent.
Professional Development: One should always try to enhance own personal
development.
Professionalism: The integrity of ACS and respect of every members should be
maintained.
The ethical dilemma that has been identified in the early launch scenario can be solved by
analysing the situation on basis these values of ACS code of ethics.
3. Analysis
Early launch of a software that is associated with the data of millions of individuals gives
rise to a major ethical dilemma (Kagan, 2018). The software release without encryption is not a
good idea as it increases the privacy risks of the data stored in the system (Trevino & Nelson,

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2016). Since both program director and the project manager is in a dilemma about whether early
launch of software without encryption is a good idea or not, the ethical dilemma is needed to be
examined on basis of the ACS code of professional conduct.
As per the first value of the code, every act should ensure public interest. The particular
situation is therefore unethical as the launch of the software without encryption can risk the data
of millions of users. As per the second value of ACS code of professional conduct, it is quite
vital to improve the quality of life of individuals, who are affect by a particular work. The risk
with early launch of software will not enhance the quality of life and therefore, the situation is
unethical. The next three values indicates that any work should involve honesty, competence and
professional development (Crane & Matten, 2016). None of these values can be achieved by
early launching the software particularly because the client will be forced to pay for a service
which is incomplete and risky. The sixth value of ACS code of conduct deals with enhancement
of integrity and respect to the members. The scenario of early launch is unethical as it does not
abide by professionalism.
On analysing the entire situation of basis of the ACS code of professional conduct, it can
be concluded that the scenario of early launch is completely unethical and therefore, early
launching of the software should be avoided (Biesta, 2015). The software should be launched in
its predetermined time to avoid any sort of risk and unethical behaviour in the entire project.
Conclusion
The report discusses the ethical issues arising from early launch of a software. In order to
understand whether the situation of early launching of the software is ethical or not, the situation
is analysed on basis of ACS code of professional conduct. As per the values of ACS code

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professional conduct, it is observed that the entire scenario is unethical and therefore early
launch of the said software should be prohibited. This is because if the software is launched
without encryption, it might lead to data hack and loss of sensitive data of millions of users. This
could risk the reputation of the company and risk the data privacy of millions of users. Therefore,
the scenario is deemed unethical and the software launch should be as per time.
Recommendations
The recommendations based on the analysis of the early launch scenario is as follows-
Launch of Software on Schedule: Although the early launch of software could have
been more profitable for the company and the entire project team, it is recommended that the
software is launched as per its schedule. Early launch of the software indicates that the security
of the users’ data will be compromised for the launch which will be unfair for the client as well
as for those users’ whose data would be stored in the software. Launch of the software on
schedule will further be necessary to save the company and the project team from reputational
risks. Therefore, the option three that is, the program director listening to the team is the best
option for this scenario. The third option follows the ACS code of professional conduct and is
therefore justified to be implemented.

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References
alZahir, S., & Kombo, L. (2014, May). Towards a global code of ethics for engineers.
In Proceedings of the IEEE 2014 International Symposium on Ethics in Engineering,
Science, and Technology (p. 40). IEEE Press.
Biesta, G. J. (2015). Good education in an age of measurement: Ethics, politics, democracy.
Routledge.
Burmeister, O. K. (2017). Professional ethics in the information age. Journal of Information,
Communication and Ethics in Society, 15(4), 348-356.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Kagan, S. (2018). Normative ethics. Routledge.
McDermid, D. (2015). Ethics in ICT: an Australian perspective. Pearson Higher Education AU.
Trevino, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2016). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do
it right. John Wiley & Sons.
YouTube. (2018). Scenario 3: Early Launch. [online] [Accessed 21 Mar. 2019] Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5M7ohdZ6qA