HIPAA refers to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act that was passed in 1996. It is a federal law requiring the development of national standards to protect sensitive information concerning patient health from disclosure without the patient’s consent/knowledge. Then there is the Gramm-Leach-Bliley act of 1999, which requires financial institutions to explain their practices of sharing information with customers and protect their sensitive data. Finally, the General Data Protection Regulation is a regulation in the European Union law that sets guidelines on its citizens’ data collection.
If one finds themselves in a situation at work where their participation in something challenges their personal ethics, one needs to ensure one fully understands what is happening. If a person feels they’d rather not participate, they are to voice it after that. After all, it is them who have to live with the unethical decision’s adverse consequences.
Some people might find that ubiquitous surveillance systems and data processing systems violate their rights to privacy. However, one is to choose: either their privacy is not to be violated at all, or the apprehension of criminals and the provision of global security are to be assured.
In her article on ethics in the IT environment, Woo (2017) discusses how IT professionals tackle ethically challenging situations. One thing that was of particular interest to me was the information on how there are slight but meaningful differences between various ethical codes which align with the specific organization’s mission. Another was Woo’s (2017) suggestion for a professional to establish their own ethical standards to guide them in navigating complexities in the workplace. I agree that it will help one feel more confident in making difficult decisions.
SANS’ IT code of ethics consists of three major sections, each of which addresses the specific area of one’s performance in the IT profession. The first section deals with the need to be honest about one’s capabilities, and the second with conducting business in a professional manner. The third one points to the need to respect others’ privacy and confidentiality.
I believe that one’s sense of ethics and morality comes from family, community, and society; however, the origins likely come from our human nature and are a product of evolution. I try not to let the cynicism of the modern age impact my beliefs and behaviors and still consider the general truths to be the most important.
Reference
Woo, M. (2017). Ethics and the IT professional. Educause. Web.