Through your work in this module, you should have gained a robust and multifaceted understanding of the professional ethical requirements in cybersecurity fields, and gained experience using ethical principles to think through professional ethics issues in a cybersecurity context. Next, we’ll be turning to whistleblowing to think through what you should do if you see something unethical. 

Before going on to the next module, take a minute and write down:

• Something about professional ethics that makes sense to you now that didn’t before, or
• Something about professional ethics that you thought made sense before that you realize now does not, or
• Something that you’re still trying to figure out about professional ethics.

An aspect of professional ethics that makes sense to me now is the respect for the public’s well-being and its importance in all forms of professional ethics. Within each code of ethics, there was an emphasis on preventing harm by ensuring that work had public welfare in mind and notifying an employer or client when there are potential harms. Furthermore, according to Armstrong, if there is a clash in what is wanted for a client or employer versus the public, then the option of whistleblowing is there to inform the public of potential harm. Applying a cybersecurity context only further supports the importance of public safety and confidentiality. A crucial factor of the cybersecurity profession is not only maintaining the data for users but also being a solid form of trust that the public can depend on. That adherence to serving the public is a fundamental part of every internal and external position. However, if there is little acknowledgment of the public’s safety when in a profession, there can be drastic consequences that can threaten lives, if not further. After going through this case study, I now have a deeper understanding of how professionals have to consider the effects of their work due to the potential impact it can have on the public and the present respect for their safety.