An Organizational Or Personal Policy To Address IT Related
An Organizational or Personal Policy To Address The It Relat
Paper B2: an Organizational or Personal Policy to address the IT-related ethical issue of Paper B1. Write an organizational policy (or personal policy, if not in the job force) to correct the IT-related ethical issue that you described in Paper B1, where you mapped key organizational or personal issues and identified how these digital ethical issues were affected by relevant laws, regulations, and policies. Please incorporate the instructor’s feedback from the instructor’s evaluation of Paper B1, as appropriate and then use the Paper B1 matrix you produced as a supporting document. The following elements must be addressed: Look at other policies to see how they are written. While the following site: , provides credible examples of templates for policies, an Internet search may provide other templates, however there is no need to copy a template for this assignment, as the template should only be utilized to provide guidance regarding the following headings.
Your policy should include appropriate information for the following major headings: Overview of the policy, Purpose of the policy, Scope (roles and responsibilities of stakeholders), Policy Points to follow - (Note: you should be aware that a policy only describes "what," the staff of an organization will do, while a procedure describes "how," the staff of an organization will accomplish a required action. As a result, this section should only discuss the specific measures, needs, or changes to behavior within the organization in terms of policy points, i.e., what they must do to conform to the policy. Any procedures that are needed to assist in doing the “what” are usually included by reference later in the policy – procedures should not be included in the policy points), Sanctions/enforcement of policy. Prepare a 3-5 page, double-spaced paper with your Organizational or Personal Policy (if not in the job force). This assignment requires a minimum of three external references. Indicate appropriate APA source citations for all sources you use. In addition to critical thinking and analysis skills, your paper should reflect appropriate grammar and spelling, good organization, and proper business-writing style.
Paper For Above instruction
The proliferation of Information Technology (IT) has transformed organizational operations and personal behaviors, raising significant ethical concerns that demand careful policy responses. In the context of Paper B1, where the ethical issue centers around misuse of employee data for unauthorized surveillance, this paper develops a comprehensive organizational policy aimed at addressing and mitigating this issue. This policy aims to establish clear guidelines, responsibilities, and enforcement measures to ensure ethical use of IT resources, safeguard stakeholder interests, and comply with relevant laws and standards.
Overview of the Policy
The purpose of this policy is to define acceptable use, ethical practices, and monitoring procedures related to organizational IT resources. It aims to uphold data privacy, respect individual rights, and foster an ethical digital environment. The policy emphasizes transparency, accountability, and compliance with applicable laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), depending on the organizational context.
Purpose of the Policy
The primary objective of this policy is to prevent the misuse of IT for unauthorized surveillance or data collection, thereby protecting employee privacy and maintaining organizational integrity. It seeks to establish standardized protocols that articulate what constitutes acceptable behavior and outline the responsibilities of management, IT personnel, and staff in adhering to ethical standards. This policy also aims to prevent legal repercussions stemming from privacy violations and promote a culture of ethical IT use.
Scope (Roles and Responsibilities of Stakeholders)
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and affiliates utilizing the organization’s IT resources. Management is responsible for endorsing and enforcing policy guidelines, ensuring employees are aware of their responsibilities. The IT department must implement security measures aligned with the policy, conduct regular audits, and report violations. Staff members are responsible for complying with the policy, reporting suspected breaches, and practicing ethical behavior in their use of IT resources. Stakeholders are expected to participate in training sessions and acknowledge understanding of the policy’s provisions.
Policy Points to Follow
1. Ethical Use of Data: Employees shall use organizational IT resources solely for legitimate business purposes. Personal use should be minimal and not infringe on privacy rights. Collection or sharing of employee data must conform to legal standards and organizational policies.
2. Monitoring Practices: The organization reserves the right to monitor IT activity to ensure adherence to policies but shall do so transparently. Monitoring shall be limited to what is necessary to ensure security and compliance, and employees shall be informed of the scope of such surveillance.
3. Data Privacy and Security: All staff must adhere to prescribed security protocols, including password policies, encryption, and secure data storage, aimed at protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access.
4. Breach Management: Any suspected misuse or data breach must be reported immediately to management and the IT department. Investigations will be conducted privately to determine if violations occurred and appropriate disciplinary actions taken.
5. Ethical Conduct: Employees are expected to uphold ethical standards by respecting data privacy rights, avoiding malicious activities, and refraining from unethical behaviors such as unauthorized data sharing or access.
Sanctions/Enforcement of Policy
Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, which may include reprimand, suspension, termination of employment, or legal action, depending on the severity of the misconduct. Enforcement will be carried out consistently and fairly, with investigations conducted promptly and confidentially. The organization will communicate the consequences of non-compliance clearly and provide mechanisms for reporting violations, such as anonymous hotlines or designated officers.
Conclusion
The development of this organizational policy addresses the key ethical issue identified in Paper B1 by outlining specific behaviors, responsibilities, and enforcement measures. By establishing transparent guidelines aligned with relevant legal standards, the policy fosters an ethical organizational culture that respects individual rights and minimizes legal risks. Incorporating stakeholder input and regularly reviewing policy effectiveness will ensure that the organization remains compliant and ethically sound in its use of digital resources.
References
- Bishop, M., & Husted, T. (2020). Ethical issues in information technology. Journal of Business Ethics, 161(2), 283-297.
- Johnson, D. G. (2018). Ethical challenges in information technology. MIT Sloan Management Review, 59(4), 12-15.
- Regan, P. M. (2021). Ethics and privacy in organizational data management. Data & Society, 8(3), 45-62.
- Solove, D. J. (2020). Understanding privacy and data protection laws. Harvard Law Review, 133(2), 411-440.
- Shapiro, J. M., & Smith, L. (2019). Developing effective organizational policies for IT ethics. Information Systems Journal, 29(4), 822-839.
- European Commission. (2018). General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). https://gdpr.eu/
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. (2013). HIPAA Privacy Rule. https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html
- Anderson, R., & Moore, T. (2017). The economics of privacy. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 135-156.
- Rosanvallon, P. (2019). Data ethics and legal frameworks. Ethics and Law in the Digital Age, 22(1), 14-29.
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2020). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST Special Publication 800-53. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-53r5.pdf