Analyzing the Code of Ethics for Information System Professionals

This essay examines the code of ethics for Information System Professionals (IS), highlighting the importance of ethical conduct in their roles. It explores the responsibilities of IS professionals in developing and applying information technology, emphasizing the guidance provided by associations like AITP and ISSA. The essay delves into ethical dilemmas, particularly the conflict between adhering to professional ethics and using IS knowledge to assist family members. It discusses scenarios where professionals might use their expertise to protect family from potential technological issues or poor product quality. The essay argues that while upholding the code of ethics is crucial, helping family in genuine situations without causing harm is not a violation. It concludes that IS professionals can relax ethical codes when interacting with family, leveraging their knowledge to guide them through technological complexities. The essay references several sources that support the arguments made.

Running Head: THE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Name

1
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
Every occupation is intended to be guided by a proper code of ethics, which in turn set
certain specific standards of performance which the professionals must adhere to and try to
comply with in all circumstances (Tarzian, Wocial, and ASBH Clinical Ethics Consultation
Affairs Committee, 2015). Code of ethics helps in bringing uniformity in professional practices.
Particularly talking about Information System Professionals (IS), these people are assigned with
the responsibility of developing and applying the information technology (IT) (Parker, 2017), in
varied organizations they are associated with developing and strategizing technology to leverage
new IT associated opportunities and they work in close association with other business
professionals like computer scientists and engineers who are all responsible in integrating an
designing technological solutions in solving business problems.
Like every business even the IS Professionals are guided by a set principles of code of
ethics. There are various association and guiding bodies like Association of Information
Technology Professionals (AITP), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Cyber
Security Institute (CSI)and many more which are primarily responsible to monitor and govern
the professional practice of the IS Professionals (Rogerson, 2014). However there is often a
debated that relates to should these professionals relax in terms of following these code of ethics
when it comes to dealing with their friends and family members.
It is of no doubt that the code of ethics helps in building up the moral of a professional.
As a human being, being ethical and correct in all his life’s activities is not a luxury but a
necessity. However if an IS Professional necessarily needs to acquire certain vital information
for his or her family member and which necessarily des not cause any potential harm to the other
party or organization, he or she might use his IS Knowledge which in turn may be a violation to

2
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
the code of maintaining privacy to get an access to this necessary information. It is often seen
that these professionals use their knowledge and skills to help their family and friends which
might not be justified if they abide by their set code of ethics (Chou, Irawan. and Pham, 2013).
However these professionals value there family relations and might go out of their way to use
their expertise to help their dear ones. For instance if an IS Professional knows the weakness
associated with a computer production company, may be related to the use of the technology or
their software system and feels that the company does not provide the best quality output
compared to the price they charge which is often not possible to be detected by a non IT
professional, therefore in such a situation he or she will definitely guide his friends and family
members from buying the product of that company or a specific model of computer even if the
IS Professional works for that specific brand.
The importance of ethics cannot be over emphasized, however when it comes to
observing the code of ethics and choosing to go out of one’s way for helping one’s own family in
a genuine manner without causing any potential harm to the other party is not a sin. IS
professionals are related with important functions associated with maintaining technological
security and integrity of the organization they are associated with. However an IS Professionals
can relax on these code of ethics while interacting with their friends and family members and
should use their potential knowledge and expertise to help them be aware of any technological
gimmick or loopholes of any brand which cannot be judged by a non- IT Professional.

3
THE INFORMATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL
References
Chou, J.S., Irawan, N. and Pham, A.D., 2013. Project management knowledge of construction
professionals: Cross-country study of effects on project success. Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management, 139(11), p.04013015.
Parker, D.B., 2017. Rules of ethics in information processing. In Computer Ethics (pp. 17-20).
Routledge.
Rogerson, S., 2014. Preparing IT professionals of the future. Mondo Digitale, (50), pp.2014-2.
Tarzian, A.J., Wocial, L.D. and ASBH Clinical Ethics Consultation Affairs Committee, 2015. A
code of ethics for health care ethics consultants: journey to the present and implications for the
field. The American Journal of Bioethics, 15(5), pp.38-51.