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Research Proposal

Introduction
A significant issue that society faces in todays day and age of technology is knowing how to get
the optimal use of out computers, without crossing any lines of ethics. Information technology
(IT) professionals use computers to research, analyze data, create programs, advance technology,
or as a means of offense or defense against other computer users (cybersecurity). Therefore, with
so much under their thumb, they should be able to practice good ethics while doing their job. I
will be researching specific ethical issues that IT professionals are faced with working in
cybersecurity and what is considered ethical and unethical in cybersecurity.
Ethical Issues in Cybersecurity
As an IT professional, ones computer science abilities are as important as they are numerous.
With these abilities, comes many responsibilities. They must know when they are crossing lines
of privacy and security. They need to recognize morals and laws of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity
involves the detection and prevention of computer crimes. This may include threats of
cyberwarfare. IT Professionals can fall into the slippery slope that is unethical behaviors.
Defining Boundaries of Good Ethics
Ethics, defined as a system of accepted beliefs which control behavior, especially such a system
based on morals need to be taken under careful consideration when working in cybersecurity.
The problem is that the line between ethical and unethical use of cybersecurity tactics has
become blurred. IT Professionals need to be informed of the moral and lawful obligations that
come along with a career of information technology. I would like to research ethical uses of
computers versus unethical uses of computers to help make it clear to people of all levels of
computer usability, novice to professional, what is right and wrong in cybersecurity. This way I
may be able to create a guideline of how to implement good ethics in cybersecurity and other ITrelated jobs. When good ethics are not implemented in cybersecurity, there is a chance that
privacy can be invaded, rights can be infringed upon, information can be taken advantage of, and
trust can be lost.
Conclusion
Determining what is right and wrong has been a struggle all throughout history and it has
become even harder within information technology, which allows us to do so much, so easily. I
have found many sources that discuss the involvement of ethics in information technology and
the importance that it has in society. The malpractice of ethics by IT professionals has a negative
impact, internationally. Even those without access to a computer, or do not have personal
information within a computer database, could be affected. The world is connected by
cyberspace networks, manned by IT professionals, which have an effect on practically every
industry and field. If those networks collapse, so does the rest of the world.

Works To Be Used
Andress, Jason, Steve Winterfeld, and Russ Rogers. Cyber Warfare: Techniques, Tactics and
Tools for Security Practitioners. Amsterdam: Syngress/Elsevier, 2011. Print.
Kizza, Joseph Migga. Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age. London: SpringerVerlag, 2007. Print.
Lucas, George R. Military Ethics: What Everyone Needs to Know. New York City: Oxford UP,
2015. Print.
Northcutt, Stephen. IT Ethics Handbook: Right and Wrong for IT Professionals. Rockland:
Syngress Pub., 2004. Print.
Schultz, Robert A. Contemporary Issues in Ethics and Information Technology. Hershey: IRM,
2006. Print.

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