Professional Issues in Computing

• Credit value: 15 credits at Level 5
• Module convenor and tutor: Brian Gannon
• Assessment: a case study analysis (50%) and online quizzes (25% and 75%)

This module aims to raise awareness of social legal, ethical and economic implications of computing in modern society. It highlights the responsibilities and issues facing IT professionals and computer scientists in industry. The module has a practical focus, grounded in real life examples/case studies.

Indicative module content

• Computer technology in context of technology revolutions
• Brief history of information systems in society and industry
• Information security in everyday life and why information systems fail
• Freedom of information
• Data protection
• Intellectual property
• Computer misuse
• Commercial issues in computing including contracts and liability
• Information surveillance
• Information security careers

By the end of this module, you will:

• recognise legal and professional issues in information security
• have an understanding of commercial issues in information security
• be familiar with the origins and importance of information security in the modern world
• understand the roles of various actors in the context of information security operation and development
• understand the legal, ethical and professional responsibilities of IT practitioners
• understand how to design a solution to a real-world problem that can be solved with information security/IT constructs
• have an appreciation of the social implications of the use of computers.