Strand 1Social and ethical significance

Reliability and Integrity

Reliability◦Refers the operation of hardware, the design of

software, the accuracy of data.◦The reliability of machines, software and data

determines our confidence in their value◦Data can be unreliable if it is entered incorrectly or if

it is outdated.Integrity

◦Safeguarding the accuracy and completeness of stored data

◦Data lacks integrity when it has been changed accidently or tampered with

Security

Security◦Refers to the protection of hardware, software,

machines and networks from unauthorized access.

◦The degree of security largely determines society’s confidence in the information contained in the systems

Privacy and anonymity

Privacy◦The ability of individuals and groups to

determine for themselves when, how and to what extent information about themselves is shared with others

Anonymity◦When a person uses privacy to conceal his or

her true identity

Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property◦Includes ideas, discoveries, writings, works of

art, software, collections and presentations of data.

◦Copyright, trademarks and patents exist to protect intellectual property

◦But, easy and accurate duplication methods can undermine such protection

Authenticity

Authenticity◦Establishing a user’s identity beyond

reasonable doubt. ◦A user login to a network◦Encrypted digital signatures

Digital divide and Equality of Access

Equality of access◦IT systems have led to disparities in the use of,

and access to, information technologies.◦Not only between countries, but within

countries◦Cost and availability help create a “digital

divide”

Surveillance

Surveillance◦The use of IT to monitor the actions of people◦Track, record, and assess employees’

performance◦Can support claims for promotion or to ensure

proper internet use

Globalization

Globalization◦The diminishing importance of geographical,

political, economic and cultural boundaries◦Any dramatic event can be broadcast almost

instantly by television or internet◦May lead to the extinction of minority cultures

and languages

Policies

Policies◦Enforceable measures intended to promote

appropriate and discourage inappropriate use related to IT.

◦Can be developed by governments, businesses, private groups or individuals

◦School policies

Standards and Protocols

Standards and Protocols◦Technical rules and conventions that enable

compatibility and therefore facilitate communication between IT systems and their components

◦ASCII, Unicode◦Design of ports

People and machines

People and machines◦Ease of use◦Available 24/7◦Can raise concerns about rate of technology

and insufficient testing◦Also fear that computers will take over

decisions better left to humans, i.e. nuclear weapons

◦Internet addiction

Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship◦Appropriate behavior that represents the

responsible, ethical and legal approach that individuals take in any situation with respect to the use of IT