PHIL 355E

Cybersecurity Ethics

This course examines ethical issues relevant to ethics for cybersecurity professionals, including privacy, professional code of conduct, practical conflicts between engineering ethics and business practices, individual and corporate social responsibility, ethical hacking, information warfare, and cyberwarfare. Students will gain a broad understanding of central issues in cyberethics and the ways that fundamental ethical theories relate to these core issues.

Course Material

Course Reflective Writing

As I reflect back on this course, I now have a deeper awareness of the many ethical issues with advancing technologies. Before taking this class, I wasn’t completely aware of these ethical ideals or how various individuals might have similar views yet think in different ways. As a student majoring in cybersecurity, I’ve learned a lot about various topics related to my future career that have truly helped me dig a bit deeper and understand more. I want to start by discussing the privacy module. The concept that stood out the most to me was that everyone’s definition of privacy is unique. It will be challenging for all of us to agree in the future on what constitutes an invasion of privacy. It’s a highly individual matter. That suggests, in my opinion, that there may not be a solution for Google Street View at the moment, but there are steps we can take to go in the right direction.

Another point I want to make is that the TED talk I saw in class captured my attention. In it, a woman discussed how platforms like YouTube and others use advertisements and other media to influence and, in some cases, control us. And if that wasn’t bad enough, they are already attempting to sway public political views with these advertisements and videos. Before watching the video, I was unaware of this. This hit me hard because I wonder if I was ever influenced or persuaded to act or think a certain way based on these ads or videos. Once I start working, I want to try to put an end to situations like these. People should be free to hold their own beliefs without being concerned about how an ad, video, or quiz can influence them. After reading all of these excerpts and hearing about these experiences. I want to make sure that when I enter this industry, I’m working toward the greater good of the majority of people. , this was a key takeaway for me.

I also wanted to discuss whistle-blowing more greatly. The module about whistle-blowing and the ubuntu ethic tool had a very strong connection to me. I believe that by these individuals speaking up, they are acting morally right, but they are being severely punished since they are pitted against the entire government. Ubuntu says that by acting as a group, people feel more secure facing the consequences since they are not acting alone, which sends a negative message to the government. For many people to feel secure and free to follow their actual passions, there has to be a feeling of community and support within society. I believe that there would be fewer penalties or consequences if more individuals would speak up and take action together. Overall, this course addressed a lot of different topics that I will seriously consider and use for both my future academic work and my career. I am glad I chose this course since it has truly opened my eyes to the ethical issues raised by modern technology.