WGU EIT Chapter 1-2

Ethics in Technology

Key Terms and Concepts

  • Ethics: Principles that dictate what is considered right or wrong in a given context.

  • Morals: The personal principles on which individuals base their decisions about right and wrong.

  • Virtue: A habit that inclines individuals to act in ways that are considered acceptable.

  • Vice: A habit of unacceptable behavior.

  • Software Piracy:

    • Defined as a form of copyright infringement involving making unauthorized copies of software or enabling others to access software unlawfully.

  • Integrity:

    • Adherence to a personal code of ethical principles.

  • Law:

    • A system of rules defining permissible actions within a society.

  • Bathsheba Syndrome:

    • Moral corruption of people in power, often due to others looking the other way during inappropriate behavior.

Corporate Ethics and Responsibility

  • Corporate Ethics Officer:

    • Senior-level manager providing vision and leadership regarding business conduct.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

    • The concept that businesses should act ethically and take responsibility for their actions' impact on various stakeholders such as shareholders, consumers, employees, the community, environment, and suppliers.

  • Supply Chain Sustainability:

    • Ensuring supply chains meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet their needs.

  • Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA):

    • A trade group representing major software and hardware manufacturers.

  • BSA | The Software Alliance:

    • Another significant trade group representing the software and hardware industries.

  • Acceptable Use Policy (AUP):

    • A document that stipulates the restrictions and practices a user must agree to when using organizational computing and network resources.

Governance and Oversight

Audit Committee

  • Audit Committee:

    • A group that assists the board of directors in overseeing the organization’s quality and integrity.

Duty of Care

  • Duty of Care:

    • The obligation to protect individuals from unreasonable harm or risk.

    • Involves acting as a reasonable person would in similar circumstances.

Body of Knowledge

  • Body of Knowledge:

    • A set of agreed-upon skills and abilities that licensed professionals must possess.