FOOT
LOCKER
Explain the Legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business
information.
FOOT
LOCKER
Contents page
Introduction
What are legal issues
Data protection act 1998
Computer misuse act
Freedom of information
What are ethical issues
Use of email , internet
What is whistleblowing
Organisational policies
Code of practise
Data protection act breach
Computer misuse act breach
Freedom of information breach
Code of conduct for footlocker
Conclusion
Bibliography
FOOT
LOCKER
In Assignment I will explain how footlocker administers the legal and ethical issues in
relation to the use of information.
Foot Locker Retail, Inc. is an American sportswear and footwear
retailer, with its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York
City and operating in approximately 20 countries worldwide.
FOOT
LOCKER
What are legal issues?
These are various items of legislation (law) to protect the use of business
information.
There are many types of law items that businesses use to protect their information
and ensure that there information is kept within the business.
Data Protection Act 1998
Many businesses including footlocker store and use information about people. The Data Protection Act protects information held about people from being misused. The information stored by businesses on databases must be:
Obtained fairly and lawfully
Used only for the purposes stated during collection
Adequate, relevant and not excessive In relation to the intended use
Accurate and up to date Not kept for longer than necessary Processed in line with your rights
FOOT
LOCKER
FOOT
LOCKER
Computer Misuse Act 1990
This is a law in the UK that legislates against certain activities using computers, such as hacking into other people's systems, misusing software or helping a person to gain access to protected files on someone else's computer. It is split into 3 sections and makes illegal:
Unauthorised access to computer material
Unauthorised access to computer systems With intent to commit another offence
Unauthorised modification of computer material
FOOT
LOCKER
Freedom of Information Act 2000
This Act provides individuals or organisations with the right to request information held by a public authority. The public authority must tell the applicant whether it holds the information, which it must supply within 20 working days, in the requested format. There are some exemptions to this Act. E.g. if the cost of a request for info exceeds the appropriate limit, the public authority may decide whether a greater public interest is being served by denying a request or supplying the info.
FOOT
LOCKER
Ethical Issues
Business ethics are moral principles concerning acceptable and unacceptable behaviour by businesses. Codes of practice exist in organisations to maintain business ethics on: use of email internet whistle-blowing
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with the ways in which people should live
their lives. Ethical issues must be dealt with when examining these philosophies.
Ethical issues often deal with what is right and what is wrong, what is good and what
is bad, and what rights and responsibilities people should have. The general goal of
ethics is to enable people to live good lives.
An ethical decision is one that is both legal and meets the shared ethical standards of the community. Businesses face ethical issues and decisions almost every day.
FOOT
LOCKER Use of email
Many organisations today have a code of practice on the correct use of email.
Usually ban threatening, harassing emails
also spamming or producing large number of unsolicited emails
Limited use of email for personal uses is often permitted
Internet
Many companies also have a code of practice on the use of the internet and what
their employees can and cannot use the internet for. There are also codes of
practice which govern selling on the internet, which many businesses adhere to.
Access to inappropriate websites usually banned or filtered out
Control over company web servers
Limited use of internet for personal purpose is often permitted
FOOT
LOCKER Whistle-blowing
This is an employee who raises a concern about a business practice - either to
management within the company or to an outside organisation (e.g. the press) the
concern may relate to fraud, crime, danger or any other serious risk that could
impact on customers, colleagues or any other stakeholder or the organisation's
reputation.
Whistle-blowers may receive legal protection through the Public Interest Disclosure
Act, but the offence being reported must constitute a deliberate attempt to break the
law.
FOOT
LOCKER
Organisational policies
Organisations may have many policies to ensure that their businesses practices with regard to information can be done more ethically. This could be anything from how they manage information to ensuring marketing and other business practices are fair and just.
Code of practice
A code of practice is a set of written rules which explains how people working in a
particular profession should behave.
Data protection Act
My company footlocker has not breached the data protection service down to their
tightness in security and business awareness. Unlike footlocker, Sony is a company
with has before breached the data protection act.
Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has been fined £250,000 ($396,100) following a "serious breach" of the Data Protection Act.
UK authorities said a hack in April 2011 "could have been prevented".
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) criticised the entertainment giant for not having up-to-date security software.
Sony told the BBC it "strongly disagreed" with the ruling and planned to appeal.
"Criminal attacks on electronic networks are a real and growing aspect of 21st century life and Sony continually works to strengthen our systems, building in multiple layers of defence and working to make our networks safe, secure and resilient," a spokesman for the firm added.
FOOT
LOCKER The company had previously apologised for the hack which saw its PlayStation Network knocked offline for several days. In May 2011 company executives bowed in public and offered users free games to show their remorse.
Computer misuse act
Once again my company had not breached the computer misuse act as they have a
high security and employee awareness level. They also have tight control over what
their employees are doing and how they are doing it. But another group of people
within a banking company had breached this code.
Six people have been arrested over a scam which police believe compromised the security of more than 20,000 bank accounts and credit cards.
Fake websites and spam e-mails are thought to have been used to try to steal an estimated £4m using victims' passwords and card numbers.
The arrests were made in London and in Navan, County Meath, Ireland.
Five men and a woman, all aged between 25 and 40, are being questioned by officers.
They were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit online banking fraud and crimes under the Computer Misuse Act.
FOOT
LOCKER
Freedom of information
Footlocker has also not breached the freedom of information act but the government themselves had. A common accusation against ministers since the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) came into force is that they have ignored the public interest in order to protect sensitive information. So it is perhaps appropriate that an executive agency of the very department responsible for the legislation should be the first recipient of a practice recommendation from the Information Commissioners' Office (ICO).
According to a review carried out by the watchdog, the Government has breached its own legislation, with the National Offender Management Service (Noms) "repeatedly failing to respond to information requests in line with its obligations under the FOI".
FOOT
LOCKER
Code of conduct for footlocker.
How footlocker respond to ethical issues by means of policies and code of practice
Foot Locker has a strong, positive culture, built on fundamental values that we all believe in and share. As we continue to work on executing our strategies to achieve our long-term strategic plan, it is very Important to remember our core values, which drive our behaviours on a daily basis. OUR CORE VALUES Integrity Service Leadership Community Team Work Excellence Innovation Staying true to our core values and never losing sight of the importance of conducting business Ethically and with integrity is critical to our success. Upholding and living our seven core values takes commitment from each of us, as these values are our compass, moving us forward to achieve our Vision to be “The leading global retailer of athletically inspired shoes and
apparel.”
FOOT
LOCKER Confidential Information
Confidential information about the Company’s business strategies, plans, products and Services is an extremely valuable asset. All non-public information about the Company should Be treated confidentially. The unauthorized disclosure of confidential information is strictly Prohibited. This policy covers disclosure in any manner -- for example, through reports, copies Of reports, any form of written summary, conversations, pictures or through chat rooms over The Internet. Additionally, all personally identifiable healthcare information about the Company's associates must be treated confidentially. The Company's documents, reports and records are the property of the Company. As such, They should not regularly be taken from or stored off Company premises, and they must be Returned to the Company at its request or if your employment with the Company ends for any Reason.
Personal Use of Company Property Company assets, services, premises and equipment, whether owned or leased, are intended To be used for business purposes only. However, we recognize there may be times when Limited personal use of the telephone, fax, computer, e-mail, or photocopying machines is Necessary. All personal use must be of reasonable duration and frequency and must not Cause embarrassment to the Company. You will be expected to use your judgment in these Situations.
FOOT
LOCKER
In conclusion footlocker administers the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use
of information very positively and very well as their business loyalty and knowledge
both play a huge part in their a positive delivery of their business services.
FOOT
LOCKER
FOOT
LOCKER P6: Explain the operational issues in relation to the use of business
information.
In this assignment I will be explaining the operational issues in
relation to the use of business information within footlocker.
Operational issues
What are operational issues?
Operational issues are the problems and faults that business face
when carrying out tasks to abide with their ethical issues and the
legal issues set by the government. For many business day-to-day
operational issues such as communication, government regulatory
compliance become very important. Improving product and
services quality remains the most important for business. Also
limited resources, such as money, people and time are constant
issues for business.
There are 6 main topics that build up the operational issues that my
business footlocker follows and operate by.
These are:
Security of information
Back up
Health and safety issues
Organizational policies
Business continuance plan
Cost increasing sophistication
FOOT
LOCKER
Security of information
What is it?
Security of information in business is the different software used to
protect the businesses data so that it is not leaked, or hacked into.
Safe-guarding an organization's data from unauthorized access or
modification to ensure its availability, confidentiality, and integrity.
How do footlocker use security of information?
Footlocker receive many details and personal information from
individuals as secure this by using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) and
a Verisign SSL to safeguard internet transactions. This is a large
security database which is highly reliable and footlocker have used
to prevent their customers personals information being leaked or
hacked into.
FOOT
LOCKER
Back up of information
What is it?
Backup is the activity of copying files or databases so that
they will be preserved in case of equipment failure or other
catastrophe. Backup is usually a routine part of the operation
of large businesses with mainframes as well as the
administrators of smaller business computers. For personal
computer users, backup is also necessary but often
neglected. The retrieval of files you backed up is called
restoring them.
How do footlocker back up information?
When footlocker collect information is immediately backed up so they can
handle orders, deliver products, process payments, communicate with you
and prevent or detect fraud or abuses. They back up your data by sharing with
carefully selected third parties who will help assist them for certain services
such as technical, logistical support or other function. This third party allows
data to be backed up so if lost in the business it can be easily retrieved back.
FOOT
LOCKER
Health and safety
What is it?
Health and safety
issues can be seen as
hazards
A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone under certain conditions at work. Basically, a hazard can cause harm or adverse effects (to individuals as health effects or to organizations as property or equipment losses).
How do footlocker deal with this?
FOOT
LOCKER Footlocker offer health insurance to any customers who feel is needed. They aim to maintain a high standard in their services and aim to maintain a high standard in their health and safety procedures by training staff well up to a very high level and also deal with complaints very well to stop any further dangerous situations.
Organizational policies
What is it?
A course or method of action selected, usually by an organization, from among alternatives to guide and determine present and future decisions and positions on matters of public interest or social concern.
How do footlocker use it?
FOOT
LOCKER
FOOT
LOCKER
Footlocker clearly show their organizational policies within their code of conduct page. Their clearly discuss their policies in every department and situation that could occur within the business and displays the things they will do to get with them.
FOOT
LOCKER
Business continuance plan
What is it?
The creation of a strategy through the recognition of threats and risks facing a company, with an eye to ensure that personnel and assets are protected and able to function in the event of a disaster.
How does footlocker use it?
FOOT
LOCKER Footlocker have a very strong business continuance plan , having many different operations of people , Which include identifying and mitigating enterprise risk exposures that could devastate the company’s growth, reputation and shareholder value. •Perform global risk assessments to identify, determine probability, and determine the impact of various risk exposures and drive mitigation programs to eliminate, control or reduce the exposures. •Establish and govern the global insurance programs to include property, causality, claims litigation and management and global safety programs. •Develop and maintain the global Business Continuity and Emergency Management programs. •Prepare and approve the risk management and asset protection business plans and budgets.
Cost increasing sophistication
What is it?
The increase of sophistication of a system is most likely going to have a great effect on the organisations employees. This is due to a more sophisticated and newer system having much more complex software which helps the efficiency of the organisation however employees are likely to be unfamiliar with it. This now means the current employees do need additional training in order for them to be able to work with the new system. For example, they would need to know what has been changed and what the new way of doing things such as transactions are. By training the staff correctly on the operation of the new system, means there are likely to be fewer issues such as mistakes being made.
How does footlocker use it?
FOOT
LOCKER
Footlocker regular increase their IT to allow the company to become much more sophisticated and allow them to reach their goals of becoming the world’s number one sport retailer as they will have the depth and materials to reach this goals. This is what cost increase in sophistication can bring to my business footlocker.
FOOT
LOCKER
Conclusion –
To conclude we learn how my business footlocker go about with their operational issues and the way they are able to manage their actions within :
Security of information
Back up
Health and safety issues
Organizational policies
Business continuance plan
Cost increasing sophistication
Thank you for reading