Computer encryption software [Engineering Ethics]

1. INSTRUCTOR: DR. M. TANSEER ALI
Group Members:
Name ID
1. Shihab, Mehedi Hasan 14-27923-3
2. Saha, Subroto 15-29074-1
3. Supto,sazid hossain 15-29249-1
American International University - Bangladesh
Department of Computer Science & Engineering

2. Computer Encryption Software [Hypothetical]:
A software engineer, working for a multinational corporation,
creates some software that provides security for email
documents. The engineer realizes that there is a federal law
prohibiting the distribution of security algorithms and
information outside the United States. Ethical issues arise when
the engineer's boss does not share this concern about the
distribution of the software.

3. Whistle-blowing
 External whistleblowing is occurred in this case, because the information
is passed outside of the company.
Four parts of whistleblowing are mentioned below:
1. Disclosure: Here, the engineer and his boss discloses information
through the software he created.
2. Topic: The information and the security algorithms are leaked
through the engineer’s software which can be a serious security
threats to public.
3. Agent: The engineer and his boss are the agents who is disclosing
the public’s personal information to others.
4. Recipient: Those people who are using the software or the other
employees of that company are the recipients which is unethical and
opposite to federal law.

4. Ethical Issues
 Right Ethics: Its unethical. Personal data is not secured here.
 Duty Ethics: Its ethical. He should respect his boss’s order.
 Utilitarianism: Its depends on situation. If he has a new job opportunity, he
can discuss with his lawyer. Otherwise, he can leave as it is.
 Virtue Ethics: He should be responsible and professional to his job.
 Self-Realization Ethics: If he has full personal satisfaction in his job, he can
continue it. Otherwise he can leave his job.

5. Ethical responsibilities
 As a software engineer Greg has many responsibilities to himself, His company and the
country.
Greg’s responsibility as a software engineer:
1. Providing the code without as many bugs as possible.
2. Building the software according to the specification and laws.
3. Remaining as loyal as he can.
4. Keeping Company’s sensitive information secret.
5. Never compromising his ethics for the sake of others.
6. Promoting the well being for his country and never betray.
7. Abiding by the government laws and judicial system and acting accordingly in
his profession .
8. Not taking any kind of bribes or other illegal things .

6. Ethical solution to the case
 1. Public key encryption: A public key encryption is when the sender can encrypt the
sensitive information and only the receiver has the confidential key to decrypt that file. This
is a great way to keep his software getting distributed to other countries.
 2. Greg should consult with the lawyer of the company as there must be a legal department
in a big multinational company.
 3. Greg should consult with his supervisor to check with the legal department with being
covered and avoiding messy confrontations with his boss.
 4. He should make allies to support him on this cause so that the boss gets convinced
about the ethical facts.

7. Conclusion
 The Engineering code of ethics is important to bring the maximum good or benefit to the
society and to the enterprise as well.
 The ethical code of ethics can improve the quality of working and can secure the public
interest towards any Engineering practice.