Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT

The British Computer Society sets the professional standards of competence, conduct and ethical practice for computing in the United Kingdom. The Society was incorporated by Royal Charter in July 1984.

This Code of Practice is directed to all members of The British Computer Society. It consists, essentially, of a series of statements which prescribe minimum standards of practice, to be observed by all members.

The Code is concerned with professional responsibility. All members have responsibilities: to clients, to users, to the State and society at large. Those members who are employees also have responsibilities to their employers and employers' customers and, often, to a Trade Union. In the event of apparent clash in responsibilities, obligations or prescribed practice the Society's Secretary-General should be consulted at the earliest opportunity.

The Code is to be viewed as a whole: individual parts are not intended to be used in isolation to justify errors or omissions or commission.

The Code is intended to be observed in the spirit and not merely the word. The BCS membership covers all occupations relevant to the use of computers and it is not possible to define the Code in terms directly relevant to each individual member. For this reason the Code is set out in two levels to enable every member to reach appropriate interpretations.

Level One

a series of brief statements which define the elements of practice to be observed.

Level Two

the rationale for the Level One statements.

In this document only the Level one statements will be provided.

1 Personal requirements

1.1 Keep himself, and subordinates informed of such new technologies, practices, legal requirements and standards as are relevant to his duties.

1.2 Ensure subordinates are trained in order to be effective in their duties and to qualify for increased responsibilities.

1.3 Accept only such work as he believe he is competent to perform and not hesitate to obtain additional expertise from appropriately qualified individuals where advisable.

1.4 Actively seek opportunities for increasing efficiency and effectiveness to the benefit of the user and of the ultimate recipient.

2 Organisation and management

2.1 Plan, establish and review objectives, tasks and organisational structures for himself and subordinates, to help meet overall objectives.

2.2 Ensure that any specific tasks are assigned to identified individuals according to their known ability and competence.

2.3 Establish and maintain channels of communication from and to seniors, equals and subordinates.

2.4 Be accountable for the quality, timeliness and use of resources in the work for which he is responsible.

3 Contracting

3.1 Seek expert advice in the preparation of any formal contract.

3.2 Ensure that all requirements and the precise responsibility of all parties adequately covered in any contract or tendering procedures.

4 Privacy, security and integrity

4.1 Ascertain and evaluate all potential risks in a particular project with regard to the cost, effectiveness and practability of proposed levels of security.

4.2 Recommend appropriate levels of security, commensurate with the anticipated risks, and appropriate to the needs of the client.

4.3 Apply, monitor and report upon the effectiveness of the agreed levels of security.

4.4 Ensure that all staff are trained to take effective action to protect life, data and equipment (in that order) in the event of disaster.

4.5 Take all reasonable measures to protect confidential information from inadvertent or deliberate improper access or use.

4.6 Ensure that competent people are assigned to be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of the data in the data file and each part of an organisation's database.