SYS 564

Lecture: Professionalism & Ethics

AgendaProfessionalismEthics

2What is a Profession?A profession is a vocation founded upon specialised educational training, the purpose of which is to supply disinterested counsel and service to others, for a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gain.[1]

Source: WikipediaProfessionClassically, there were only three professions: Divinity, Medicine, and Law.[2] ProfessionThe main milestones which mark an occupation beingidentified as a profession are:It became a full-time occupation;The first training school was established;The first university school was established;The first local association was established;The first national association was established;The codes of professional ethics were introduced;State and provincial licensing laws were established.[2]

ProfessionWith the rise of technology and occupational specialization in the 19th century, other bodies began to claim professional status: Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Nursing, Teaching, Librarianship, Optometry and Social Work, all of which could claim, using these milestones, to be professions by 1900.[3]Legally recognized professionsSome professions are legally recognizedGovernments have passed laws recognizing membersIn turn, members have a legal responsibility to uphold the interests of society, above other interests

Others professions are less formal78Legally recognized professions Professions with practice-restricting licenses in many jurisdictionsPractice or aspects of practice are limited to license holdersMedicine, Veterinary Medicine,Dentistry, Chiropractic, Pharmacy, Law, School Teaching, Engineering (in theory in Canada), ArchitectureSome licensed professions in Ontario http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/working/career/Divinity (those licensed can perform marriages, etc), etc.

Those requiring less education are commonly called trades*Truck Driving, (required training and drivers license)ElectriciansAuto MechanicsLegally recognized professionsProfessions with signoff-restricting licenses or certifications, A licensed/certified person must approve certain types of work done, but may delegate most of the work to others

Anyone may do certain of the work, but members have a legal basis to state to others that they are competent

Engineering (in some places), Financial Analysis (CFA), Chartered Accountancy (CA), Certified Management Accountancy (CMA), certain trades (Electrician, Plumber)Veterinary MedicineProfessions with legal standing but where there is no license issued nor legal requirement for signoff of workInformation Systems Professional (I.S.P.) in Canada

910Professions without legal recognitionProfessions with optional certifications that do not have legal weightSoftware Development (CSDP), Project Management (PMP)

Professions not generally licensed or certified, but where a degree or diploma provides evidence of competenceScientist (various types), Journalist

Other professions or trades where an apprenticeship model is typically followedMechanic, Electrician

Professions where the limiting factor is simply that you must have sufficient skill or knowledge that someone is willing to pay you enough to do it full timeSport player (Hockey, Golf, Football), Actor, Artist, Musician, etc.11Key attributes of a professionPublic recognition: Others outside profession understand what a member of the profession does and can doSo outsiders know who to consult when they want some serviceSo outsiders can feel confident they are getting work done by someone competent

To ensure public recognition: There must beA defined scope of practiceA recorded body of knowledge (principles, facts, best practices, required procedures such as the building or plumbing code)A code of ethics consequences when it is violatedMethods to educate/train, accredit education, and ensure continuing educationWell-understood criteria for membershipOrganizations to establish and administer the above12Specializations / SpecialtiesMost professions have well-defined specialties, often with their own certifications and associationsMedicine: Board-certified specialtiesVeterinary Medicine

IT/Computing:AI - American Association for Artificial IntelligenceProject management Professional http://www.pmi.orgInformation security (Certified Information Security Manager) http://www.isaca.org/Template.cfm?Section=CISM_CertificationHacking (Certified Ethical Hacker) http://www.certifiedethicalhacker.com/Certified Information Technology ProfessionalVendor-specific certifications (Microsoft, Oracle)Database administration, UI designetc.13General Professional Associations for Computer ProfessionalsCIPS - Canadian Information Processing SocietyThe national society for computing in CanadaAffiliated with Rseau Action TI (Qubec)Two US-based associations with international membershipACM - Association for Computing MachineryIEEE Computer Society

CertificationAn earned professional designation which assures qualification as a professional

Earned through a professional body (society) who sets the criteria for eligibility of the qualificationUsually:Course of study in an accredited programProof of professional accomplishments (work experience)Examination

14CertificationValue of certification:Demonstrates commitment to your professionIncreases your professional credibilityAdhere to the code of ethicsMastery of a BOK (Body of Knowledge)Committed to ongoing education

15CertificationMust be renewed periodically (usually annually)

Types:Legal (doctors, dentist, lawyers, veterinarians, teachers) vs: non legal (PMP, apprentices, athlete)Corporate (Sales, Customer Service)Product-Specific (i.e. MCSE, CISCO)Professional-wide (i.e. CGA, CA)

16IT Certification Vendor specificCiscoIBMMicrosoftRed HatSAP..Third partyCompTIACISSPITIL General CertificationIEEECITP (BCS)I.S.P./ITCP (CIPS)

1718Some Benefits of Professional Status in ComputingSocial and societal standingComputing professionals have similar responsibilities to society as engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants, financial analysts, etc.Other professionals, members of the public and the media need to know who to consult

Legal reasonsJudges and lawyers need to know who can be considered an expert witness in a court case involving computing or ITThe Chief Information Officer (CIO) of a corporation needs to know who has the expertise to certify that the corporation has adhered to laws and regulationsPrivacy acts like PIPEDACorporate regulatory complianceAgendaProfessionalismEthics

1920EthicsWhat is Ethics:Study of what it means to do the right thingAssumes people are rational and make free choicesRules to follow in our interactions and our actions that affect others

21Ethics Ethical Views:DeontologicalJudging right or wrong based on whether one adheres to the rulesUtilitarianism /consequentialismThe greatest good for the greatest number of peopleNatural rightsSome things are right regardless of what rules and laws are written down

No simple answers to many ethical questionsDo organizations (businesses) have ethics?22Ethics Important Distinctions:Difference between wrong and harmWrong: May cause harm, but may notHarm: Bad consequence actually occurs

Personal preference and ethicsCollective rights vs. individual rights

Law and Ethics23Ethics Important Distinctions:Negative rights (liberties)The right to act without interferenceThe right some people assert to do what you want with your propertyFreedom of expression

Positive rights (claim-rights)An obligation of some people to provide certain things for othersA doctor has an obligation to care for a sick patientA computer scientist or engineer must take action if they know something is unsafe, will impact the environment, etc.24Codes of Ethics for Computer ProfessionalsCIPS Code of Ethics25Summary of the CIPS Code of Ethicshttp://www.cips.ca/ethics

1. Protect the Public Interest and Maintain IntegrityWork with due regard for health, safety and the environmentReport problems that may injure persons, organizations, property or the economyNot discriminate on any grounds, such as race, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, social origin, family status or disabilityNot bring the profession into disrepute26Summary of the CIPS Code of Ethics2. Demonstrate Competence and Quality of ServiceServe client in conscientious, diligent and efficient mannerNot undertake a task unless you have competence or can become competent without delay, risk or expense to the clientExercise uncompromised judgmentBe honest and candid when providing serviceMaintain competence (constantly update knowledge)Be aware of and compliant with legislation, standards and bodies of knowledgeRespect rights of third parties, such as giving credit where it is dueRespect property rights27Summary of the CIPS Code of Ethics3. Maintain Confidential Information and PrivacyDuty of Secrecy: Clients have a right to expect that anything disclosed, seen or overheard will remain confidentialDo not even disclose having been retained by the clientRespect PIPEDA (Privacy Act) and other laws

4. Avoid Conflict of Interest

5. Uphold Responsibility to the IT ProfessionUse courtesy and good faith when dealing with other professionalsParticipate in professional societiesSupport others in their professional development28What should guide ethical decision making? Seven levelsInternational treaties and agreementsLaws (statutes)ReguulationsStandards of good practiceProfessional codes of ethicsCorporate policiesCommunity and personal values29Guidance for ethical decision making in the area of privacyFair Information Practice PrinciplesPersonal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act: PIPEDAOntario Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy ActOntario Personal Health Information Protection ActCIPS GuidelinesCIPS Code of EthicsSeneca College PoliciesCommon sense30Method for Ethical AnalysisTake a set of ethical points of viewEquality, justice, respect, self-respect (integrity)Gather all ethically relevant facts regarding the situation and people involvedActions, roles, relationships (e.g. conflicts of interest)Identify key issuesLook for an existing policy or law that matchesPay attention to precedents and people who might be sensitive to any given solutionIf a solution found, apply itBut watch out for conflicting policies, laws, principles and points of viewOtherwise apply higher-level general principles and consult with others31Example ethical situation 1You know how to crack the encryption on cell phone calls and have the hardware and software available to do this.

Is there any ethical situation when you might consider it right to use this knowledge

If you were asked by the police? A judge? A CSIS agent? James Bond?

If you knew it would save someones life? If you thought it would prevent some other crime?32CreditThank you to Timothy Lethbridge PhD, P.Eng., I.S.P., CSDP for providing this lecture. Tim is a Professor of Software Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Ottawa.