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Ethics and Ethics and Professional ConductProfessional Conduct

for IT for IT ProfessionalProfessionalssa Presentation toa Presentation to

Chinese University of Hong Chinese University of Hong KongKong

Daniel LaiDaniel Lai

26 February 200026 February 2000

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AgendaAgendaIntroductionIntroductionProfessional Competence & IntegrityProfessional Competence & IntegritySocial ImplicationsSocial ImplicationsOrganisation and LeadershipOrganisation and LeadershipDuty to the ProfessionDuty to the ProfessionRole of Professional SocietiesRole of Professional SocietiesQ & AQ & A

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ObjectivesObjectives

At the end of this presentation, you should be At the end of this presentation, you should be able to better appreciate:able to better appreciate:• Need for Professional EthicsNeed for Professional Ethics• Need for Continuous Professional Need for Continuous Professional DevelopmentDevelopment

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Need for Professional EthicsNeed for Professional Ethics

• The Community has Higher Dependence on I.T. The Community has Higher Dependence on I.T. and I.T. Professionalsand I.T. Professionals• Many High-Profile Systems in Hong Kong have Many High-Profile Systems in Hong Kong have failed badly by any Standard!failed badly by any Standard!• Rapid Change in TechnologiesRapid Change in Technologies• New Technical Skills of IT Professionals New Technical Skills of IT Professionals become old soonbecome old soon• Be aware the Need for Professional Ethics and Be aware the Need for Professional Ethics and Continuous Professional DevelopmentContinuous Professional Development

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Code of Code of Ethics and Ethics and

Professional ConductProfessional Conduct

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A. Professional A. Professional Competence Competence and Integrityand Integrity

Be honest and trustworthyBe honest and trustworthy Continue to upgrade my professional knowledge and Continue to upgrade my professional knowledge and skills, and shall maintain awareness of technological skills, and shall maintain awareness of technological developments, procedures and standards, which are developments, procedures and standards, which are relevant to my field.relevant to my field. Only offer to do work or provide a service within my Only offer to do work or provide a service within my professional competence and shall not claim any level of professional competence and shall not claim any level of competence that I do not possess; any professional opinion competence that I do not possess; any professional opinion which I am asked to give shall be objective and reliable. which I am asked to give shall be objective and reliable. Qualify professional opinions, which I know are based on Qualify professional opinions, which I know are based on limited knowledge or experience. I will not misrepresent my limited knowledge or experience. I will not misrepresent my skills or knowledge nor knowingly mislead a client or skills or knowledge nor knowingly mislead a client or potential client as to the suitability of a product or service. potential client as to the suitability of a product or service.

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B. Social ImplicationsB. Social Implications1.1.      Increase my awareness of issues affecting the IT Increase my awareness of issues affecting the IT profession and its relationship with the community.profession and its relationship with the community.2.2.    Ensure that within my chosen fields, I have Ensure that within my chosen fields, I have knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation, regulations and standards and that I comply with such regulations and standards and that I comply with such requirements.requirements.3.3.    Honour property rights (including copyrights and Honour property rights (including copyrights and patents) and give proper credit for work done by patents) and give proper credit for work done by others where credit is due.others where credit is due.4.4.      Honour confidentiality and respect the privacy of Honour confidentiality and respect the privacy of others.others.5.5.      Be fair and take action not to discriminate.Be fair and take action not to discriminate.

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B. Social ImplicationsB. Social Implications6.6.      Contribute to society and human well-being and Contribute to society and human well-being and avoid harm to others.avoid harm to others.7.7.    Protect and promote the health and safety of Protect and promote the health and safety of those affected by my work and have regard to the those affected by my work and have regard to the protection of the environment. protection of the environment. 8.8.    Have regard for human rights and avoid any Have regard for human rights and avoid any actions that adversely affect such rights.actions that adversely affect such rights.9. Endeavour to understand and give due regard to 9. Endeavour to understand and give due regard to the perceptions of those affected by my work, whether the perceptions of those affected by my work, whether or not I agree with those perceptions.or not I agree with those perceptions.

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C. Organisation &C. Organisation & LeadershipLeadership

1. Keep myself and subordinates informed of such new 1. Keep myself and subordinates informed of such new technologies, practices, legal requirements and standards as technologies, practices, legal requirements and standards as are relevant to my dutiesare relevant to my duties

Seek to conform to recognised good practice including Seek to conform to recognised good practice including quality standards, which are in my judgment relevant, quality standards, which are in my judgment relevant, Encourage my subordinates to do likewise. Encourage my subordinates to do likewise.

2. Encourage my colleagues, employees and students to 2. Encourage my colleagues, employees and students to continue their own professional development, and ensure that continue their own professional development, and ensure that subordinates are:subordinates are:

trained in order to be effective in their duties trained in order to be effective in their duties to qualify for increased responsibilities. to qualify for increased responsibilities.

3.3. C Create opportunities for members of the organisation to reate opportunities for members of the organisation to learn the principles and limitations of IT and systems.learn the principles and limitations of IT and systems.

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C. Organisation &C. Organisation & LeadershipLeadership

4. Accept professional responsibility 4. Accept professional responsibility for my work and for the work of my subordinates and for my work and for the work of my subordinates and associates under my direction, associates under my direction, shall not terminate any assignment except for good shall not terminate any assignment except for good reason and on reasonable notice.reason and on reasonable notice.

5. Avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of 5. Avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between myself and my client, I will make full and interest between myself and my client, I will make full and immediate disclosure to the client if any conflict should occur. immediate disclosure to the client if any conflict should occur. 6. Articulate social responsibilities of members of an 6. Articulate social responsibilities of members of an organisational unit and encourage full acceptance of those organisational unit and encourage full acceptance of those responsibilities. responsibilities. 13. Carry out work with due care and diligence in accordance 13. Carry out work with due care and diligence in accordance with the requirements of the employer or client and will, if my with the requirements of the employer or client and will, if my professional judgment is overruled, indicate the likely professional judgment is overruled, indicate the likely consequences. consequences.

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D. Duty to D. Duty to tthe Professionhe Profession1. Uphold the reputation of the Profession1. Uphold the reputation of the Profession

Improve professional standards through participation in Improve professional standards through participation in their development, use and enforcement, their development, use and enforcement, Avoid any action that will adversely affect the good Avoid any action that will adversely affect the good standing of the Profession. standing of the Profession.

2. Seek to advance public knowledge and understanding of 2. Seek to advance public knowledge and understanding of computing and information systems/technology, and to counter computing and information systems/technology, and to counter false or misleading statements that are detrimental to the false or misleading statements that are detrimental to the Profession. Profession. 3. Encourage and support fellow members in their 3. Encourage and support fellow members in their professional development, and provide opportunities for the professional development, and provide opportunities for the professional development of new entrants to the Profession. professional development of new entrants to the Profession.

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D. Duty to D. Duty to tthe Professionhe Profession4. Act with integrity towards members of other professions 4. Act with integrity towards members of other professions with whom I am concerned in a professional capacity and will with whom I am concerned in a professional capacity and will avoid engaging in any activity, which is incompatible with avoid engaging in any activity, which is incompatible with professional status. professional status. 5. Not make any public statements in my professional 5. Not make any public statements in my professional capacity unless I am properly qualified capacity unless I am properly qualified 6. Respect, and seek when necessary, the professional 6. Respect, and seek when necessary, the professional opinions of colleagues in their areas of competence. opinions of colleagues in their areas of competence.

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Role of Role of

Professional SocietiesProfessional Societies

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Objectives of HKCSObjectives of HKCS

The Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) was The Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) was founded in 1970 as a non-profit making founded in 1970 as a non-profit making professional body with the primary objective to professional body with the primary objective to promote the uses of information technology (IT) promote the uses of information technology (IT) in Hong Kong by providing a medium for in Hong Kong by providing a medium for disseminating knowledge and promoting the disseminating knowledge and promoting the appreciation of IT and related tools.appreciation of IT and related tools.

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About HKCSAbout HKCS

Founding Members of SEARCCFounding Members of SEARCCClose ties with China Computer Federation Close ties with China Computer Federation

and other regional computer societiesand other regional computer societiesArrangements with ACS, BCS on reduction Arrangements with ACS, BCS on reduction

of membership subscriptions for membersof membership subscriptions for members

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Aims of HKCSAims of HKCS1. provide a forum for the exchange of technical 1. provide a forum for the exchange of technical

information and ideas amongst members;information and ideas amongst members;

2. hold lectures, discussions, seminars, open forums on 2. hold lectures, discussions, seminars, open forums on subjects related to IT;subjects related to IT;

3. provide for those intended users of IT or related tools 3. provide for those intended users of IT or related tools the opportunity of communicating with experienced the opportunity of communicating with experienced users;users;

4. foster an informed public opinion regarding the IT 4. foster an informed public opinion regarding the IT industry and its social implications;industry and its social implications;

5. provide library or other facilities for the benefit of 5. provide library or other facilities for the benefit of members in furtherance of their IT knowledge;members in furtherance of their IT knowledge;

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Aims of HKCSAims of HKCS6. promote education on the Technology and training 6. promote education on the Technology and training

programs either on its own or in conjunction with other programs either on its own or in conjunction with other institutions in Hong Kong or overseas;institutions in Hong Kong or overseas;

7. promote fraternity among members;7. promote fraternity among members;

8. liaise with other (overseas and Hong Kong) 8. liaise with other (overseas and Hong Kong) professional bodies with similar objectives;professional bodies with similar objectives;

9. advise the Hong Kong SAR Government and the 9. advise the Hong Kong SAR Government and the public general on matters affecting the interest of the public general on matters affecting the interest of the IT profession;IT profession;

10. maintain and enforce a code of professional conduct 10. maintain and enforce a code of professional conduct for members to observe.for members to observe.

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Database Special Interest GroupDatabase Special Interest Group

The DBSIG was founded as one of the first The DBSIG was founded as one of the first SIGs in 1987. It has since then always been SIGs in 1987. It has since then always been recognized as the most active SIG for the recognized as the most active SIG for the past eleven years.past eleven years.

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

The primary aim of DBSIG is to advance The primary aim of DBSIG is to advance database knowledge, its practical applications database knowledge, its practical applications and academic research in Hong Kong.and academic research in Hong Kong.

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Internet & Networking Special Internet & Networking Special Interest GroupInterest Group

The INSIG was established in 1994. The INSIG was established in 1994.

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVESto promote the uses and development of to promote the uses and development of

local and international network local and international network communications in Hong Kong. communications in Hong Kong.

to provide a forum for the exchange of to provide a forum for the exchange of information and experience in the area of information and experience in the area of computer communications. computer communications.

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Software Process Software Process Improvement NetworkImprovement Network

The HKSPIN group was established in 1995.The HKSPIN group was established in 1995.

OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVEPromotion of disciplined software Promotion of disciplined software

engineering practices and software quality engineering practices and software quality managementmanagement

Leading to increased productivity of Leading to increased productivity of software organizations and better quality of software organizations and better quality of software systems being developed.software systems being developed.

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Electronic Business Electronic Business Special Interest GroupSpecial Interest Group

The e-Biz SIG was established in January 2000.The e-Biz SIG was established in January 2000. OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

Promotion of Electronic Business/Commerce Promotion of Electronic Business/Commerce Leading to increased awareness, productivity, Leading to increased awareness, productivity,

quality, application and management of quality, application and management of Electronic Business/Commerce within/outside Electronic Business/Commerce within/outside the IT industrythe IT industry

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Major Annual Projects/EventsMajor Annual Projects/Events

HKICC Annual ConferenceHKICC Annual Conference Annual DinnerAnnual Dinner SEARCC Annual EventSEARCC Annual Event Speakers MeetingsSpeakers Meetings Industry VisitsIndustry Visits Study mission to ChinaStudy mission to China

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Major Projects/Events Last YearMajor Projects/Events Last Year

IT Excellence Awards IT Excellence Awards IT FileIT FileIT in EducationIT in EducationY2K CD-ROM Y2K CD-ROM Code of Professional EthicsCode of Professional Ethics

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Advisory Role Advisory Role on IT Policy of HKSARon IT Policy of HKSAR

Representation of ITFC in Election Representation of ITFC in Election Committee Committee

HKSAR IT Strategy - Digital-21 StudyHKSAR IT Strategy - Digital-21 StudyIT Manpower and Training StudyIT Manpower and Training StudyITSD’s Outsourcing PolicyITSD’s Outsourcing PolicyElectronic Transaction OrdinanceElectronic Transaction OrdinanceCertification of IT ProfessionalsCertification of IT Professionals

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MembershipMembershipFellow Member (FHKCS)Fellow Member (FHKCS)Full Member (MHKCS)Full Member (MHKCS)Associate Member (AHKCS)Associate Member (AHKCS)Graduate MemberGraduate MemberStudent MemberStudent MemberAffiliate MemberAffiliate MemberCorporate MemberCorporate Member

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SummarySummaryNeed for Professional Ethics and Need for Professional Ethics and

Continuous Professional DevelopmentContinuous Professional DevelopmentRequirements for Certification of IT Requirements for Certification of IT

ProfessionalsProfessionalsProfessional and Societal ResponsibilitiesProfessional and Societal Responsibilities

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ReferencesReferences Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Hong Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, Hong

Kong Computer Society, 1998. Kong Computer Society, 1998. (http://www.hkcs.org.hk)(http://www.hkcs.org.hk)

Johnson, Deborah G. & Nissenbaum (1995) Johnson, Deborah G. & Nissenbaum (1995) Computers, Ethics & Social Values, Prentice Hall, Computers, Ethics & Social Values, Prentice Hall, pp.470-598.pp.470-598.

ACMACM http://www.acm.orghttp://www.acm.org BCSBCS http://www.bcs.org.ukhttp://www.bcs.org.uk IEEEIEEE http://www.ieee.orghttp://www.ieee.org

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Q & AQ & A

Thank YouThank You