Living in the IT Era Midterms

AmA

What is IT ethics?

The branch of ethics dealing with the moral and social implications of IT systems on individuals, organizations, and society.

What are the four key principles of IT ethics?

Respect for privacy, protection of intellectual property, compliance with laws and regulations, and promoting transparency and accountability.

What are two major challenges to enforcing IT ethics?

The rapid evolution of technology (outpaces regulation) and the global nature of IT systems (hard to apply consistently across cultures/jurisdictions).

What is personal data?

Any information that can identify an individual, such as name, address, phone number, or email address.

Name three strategies for maintaining online privacy.

Using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, using a VPN, and using a password manager.

What are the four main types of security risks/threats?

Malware, phishing, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and physical threats.

What is a SQL injection attack?

An attack that injects malicious code into a database to extract or modify sensitive data.

What is ransomware?

Malware that encrypts a victim's files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.

What does a SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system do?

Collects, monitors, and analyzes security data in real time to detect, respond to, and prevent security incidents.

What three ethical concerns does AI raise?

Bias in decision-making, privacy (mass data collection), and accountability (unclear responsibility for AI decisions).

What is intellectual property (IP)?

Legal rights that result from a person's intellectual creativity, such as inventions, designs, and artistic works.

What is cyberlaw?

The branch of law covering legal issues related to the internet, cyberspace, and digital technologies.

Define copyright.

The legal right to control the reproduction, distribution, and display of an original creative work.

Define trademark.

A symbol, name, or logo that identifies and distinguishes a business or product from others.

Define patent.

A government-granted exclusive right to make, use, and sell an invention for a specified period.

What is "fair use"?

A copyright limitation allowing use of copyrighted material for purposes like criticism, teaching, or research without permission.

What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?

Technology (e.g., encryption, watermarking) used to protect and restrict the use or distribution of digital content.

What are the three main types of patents?

Utility patents, design patents, and plant patents.

What three qualities must an invention have to qualify for a utility patent?

It must be novel, non-obvious, and useful.

What is digital forensics?

The process of collecting, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence to investigate and prosecute cybercrime.

What is digital inequality?

The unequal distribution of access to digital technologies, such as computers and the internet, among different groups.

What are the four main causes of the digital divide?

Socio-economic status, geographic location, age, and disability.

What is the "digital divide"?

The gap between individuals, groups, or regions that have access to ICT and the internet and those that do not.

Name two consequences of the digital divide.

Limited access to information/education and reduced economic opportunities (also social isolation and health disparities).

What are "marginalized groups" in the context of IT?

Individuals or communities excluded or disadvantaged in society, such as the poor, minorities, and people with disabilities.

Name three strategies for addressing the digital divide.

Expanding affordable internet access, providing digital literacy training, and developing accessible technologies.

What are the four types of digital inclusion strategies?

Infrastructure-based, content-based, training-based, and policy/regulation-based strategies.

What four factors are used to evaluate digital inclusion strategies?

Access/affordability, digital literacy/skills, relevance/usefulness, and sustainability/scalability.

What is the rural-urban digital divide?

The disparity in digital access and skills between rural and urban areas, with rural areas often lacking broadband infrastructure.

What is digital literacy?

The skills and knowledge needed to effectively use digital technologies; increasingly treated as a form of social capital.

What is e-waste?

Discarded electronic devices, such as computers, smartphones, and televisions.

What are the three main sources of e-waste?

Household, industrial, and commercial e-waste.

Name three toxic substances commonly found in e-waste.

Lead, mercury, and cadmium.

What are the "3Rs" of e-waste management?

Reduce, reuse, and recycle.

What is "extended producer responsibility"?

A policy requiring manufacturers to take back and recycle their products at the end of their life cycle.

What is "Green IT"?

The design, implementation, and use of digital technologies that minimize environmental impact and promote sustainability.

What is a life cycle assessment (LCA)?

A method that evaluates a product's or system's environmental impact across its entire lifecycle, from raw materials to disposal.

Name two ways data centers reduce energy consumption.

Server virtualization and optimized cooling systems (also renewable energy and LED lighting).

What is server virtualization and why is it sustainable?

Running multiple virtual servers on one physical machine, which reduces the number of physical servers needed and lowers energy use.

What five factors are considered when assessing an IT system's environmental footprint?

Energy consumption, water usage, material usage, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions.

What are the three key drivers reshaping the future of work?

Automation, artificial intelligence, and the gig economy.

What is the gig economy?

A labor market made up of short-term, flexible, freelance work arrangements (e.g., Uber, DoorDash, freelancing).

Name two benefits of the gig economy for workers.

Flexibility and autonomy, plus the ability to earn extra income while gaining new skills.

Name two drawbacks of the gig economy for workers.

Lack of job security and lack of access to benefits like health insurance and paid time off.

What is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)?

The use of software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks like data entry.

Name three drawbacks of automation and AI in the workplace.

Job displacement, skills obsolescence, and bias/discrimination in AI decision-making.

What skill areas are increasingly essential in the IT-driven job market?

Coding, data science, and cybersecurity.

What is a major worker-rights concern specific to gig workers?

Uncertain employment classification, which affects their access to benefits and legal protections.

What is "worker isolation" in the context of IT-driven workforce change?

Social isolation and reduced collaboration or job satisfaction resulting from remote work and automation.

Give one preparation strategy each for workers, employers, and policymakers facing the future of work.

Workers: upskill/reskill continuously. Employers: invest in training and flexible policies. Policymakers: regulate tech use and support displaced workers.