Chapter 2
Vignette

  *Questions to consider

1.)  What message is sent to IT workers by the actions of New York Law   School and Collegis- even if unrelated job – performance issues justified their actions in firing Gross and Perry?

*Tom Huber, CEO of Collegis, defended his firm’s actions, saying, “Employment of the tech. ended due to issues completely unrelated to this isolated accident. It is policy of Collegis to treat all of its employees in fa fair and impartial manner, and it would never dismiss an employee for doing the right thing.” The two had done nothing wrong. They filed a $15 million lawuit that charged NEWYORK LAW SCHOOL and their employer, Collegis, with retaliation for their reporting of the incident.

2.)  Since this incident, a number of states have enacted laws that require workers to report immediately any child pornography found while servicing equipment. Most of the laws state that a worker who reports such a discovery is immune from any criminal, civil, or administrative liability. Failure to report the discovery can result in a fine, imprisonment, or both. Do you think such laws will encourage reporting? Why or why not?

*Yes, it encourages a worker to report such incident because it is in order of a Law. Otherwise if you didn’t there was a fine that could be file unto you an imprisonment or a fine or payment. So, much better for someone to report.

Cases Study     

When Certification is Justified?

1.)  How can organizations and vendors change their certification programs to test for skills as well as core knowledge? What issues might this Introduce?

*Like so many other IT certification examinations, is a multiple choice. Employers and IT workers alike have begun to recognize the limitations of these types of examinations. They want to ensure that examines not only have a core knowledge but also know how to use knowledge and a multiple-choice exam, even six-hour, 250- question exam like the CISSP, can’t provide this assurance.

2.)  What are the primary arguments against certification, and how can certifying bodies change their programs to overcome these shortcomings?

*The primary arguments against certification is from the respondents of the published editorial from Don Tennant. Respondents explained that hardworking IT workers focus on skills and knowledge that are related to their current projects and don’t have time of offering certification as a marketing ploy and a source revenue.

3.)  What are the benefits of certification? How Might certification programs need to change in the future to better serve the needs of the IT community?

*IT fields such as project management and security have a greater need for certification. As the speed and complexity of production increase within the global marketplace, workers in a variety of industries are showing an increasing interest in project management certification.

Chapter 1
Vignette

  *Questions to consider

1.) Which issue is more disconcerting – the fact that a board member leaked confidential information about the firm or the tactics used to investigate the leak? Defend your position.

*Attorneys should consider the consequences of moving forward with pretexting or other forms of deceitful investigations. First, attorneys that sanction the use of pretexting during investigations can likely be subject to professional discipline-potentially including disbarment-if they are governed by the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

In addition, investigations can lose the protection of the attorney-client privilege. Often one of the main advantages to having counsel lead an investigation is to shield the investigation with the attorney-client privilege. In the H-P scandal, for example, Hunsaker was asked to head the investigation "in order to protect the attorney-client privilege in the event there is litigation or a governmental inquiry of some sort."  The use of pretexting in investigations may threaten the privilege, however, because of the crime-fraud exception.

2.) Can the use of pretexting to gain information ever be justified? Is it considered legal under any circumstances?

*While pretexting for phone records is now a federal offense, it was not so clear when the H-P scandal transpired. Additionally, pretexting is a continuing issue, beyond phone records. The H-P scandal, therefore, is a reminder to lawyers that "conduct that is legal may not be ethical." The profession's honor requires that "truthfulness, honesty and candor are the core values of the legal profession." The use of pretexting in corporate investigations headed by an attorney may likely violate an attorney's duty of honesty and supervision and may lead to professional discipline. Moreover, the use of pretexting may vitiate the attorney-client protection. Thus, when examined closely, the truth behind pretexting becomes clear-it just isn't worth it.

Cases Study 

Is there a place for Ethics in IT?

1.)  Discuss how a CIO might handle Schrage’s scenarios using the suggested process for ethical decision making presented in this chapter.

*In schrage’s scenarios he was suggesting a non-ethical way of managing a company, his reasons because behavior interferes with business efficiency so he giving a scenario of a company without engaging Ethics in a certain company. Because it didn’t matter anymore how their staffs working so hard just to serve right to their company but they didn’t pay back to them.

2.)  Discuss the possible short – term losses and long – term gains in implementing ethical solutions for each of Schrage’s scenarios.

*The possible long-term gains in implementing ethical solutions was many would admire on you in the way you manage your company, and your company would be working in a positive way.

3.)   Must businesses choose between good ethics and financial benefits?  Explain your answer using Schrage’s scenarios as examples.

*To make my explanation short For me it’s a big No, Businesses must not just choose among good Ethics and Financial benefits. A business should exercise both good ethics and financial benefits. So staffs in their company should really pay back by serving the company in right way just because they also have concerns to their staffs.

What takes to be an IT Professional?

Being an IT professional is more than just learning a programming language and getting a job. A complete IT professional has many traits – and they use these traits to stand out from the crowd and become a better employee – and ultimately make more money!

A big part on how to become an IT professional is to have good people skills. Sure, talking to people can be simple to do, but to be better at your job and stand out from the crowd, you need to build on these skills and get better at them.

         * Asking the right questions. This comes with practice and experience, but to know the answer to something you need to learn how to ask the right questions. Practice this on the job by asking questions of people.

        * Knowing how to talk to different audiences. Different groups of people and different types of workers have different levels of understanding of the IT field. One of the best ways to be seen as a good communicator is to know how to adjust your language and method when talking to different people. Generally, managers don’t need to know about technical details of your work. Business users usually prefer a real-world explanation instead of an overly technical explanation. Database administrators or other technical people like details relating to their field or area of expertise. This comes with practice, but it’s something to realize and start developing.

A great IT employee (which is you, or will be you soon!) is someone who knows how to be professional. Essentially, being professional is doing a job well and acting in a mature and considerate way. A couple of articles on Five Professional Things You Should Be Doing, and Five Unprofessional Behavior to Avoid things you should and shouldn’t be doing.

This point involves treating others with respect, acting professionally, and speaking well. If you’re acting like a professional in the workplace, then others will recognize this – and you’ll stand out from the crowd of other IT employees! And you know what that means – better chance of promotion, more money, and more opportunity!