The Australian Computer Society (ACS) launched a new code of ethics late last year that seeks to further elevate honesty, trustworthiness, and respect among the country’s ICT professionals.
“After thorough review by ACS’ Professional Ethics Committee, and extensive consultation with members, the Code of Professional Ethics (CoPE) went live in late December,” said ACS President Helen McHugh.
“We want this new code to uplift professionalism in the technology sector and ensure Australians can have confidence in the sector’s professional leaders,” she said.
The Code is underpinned by three values – honesty, trustworthiness, respect – and provides standards against which members and others can gauge technology professionals' ethical conduct and service delivery.
The Code drives the ethical behaviours of ACS members, and where to go if those behaviours or decisions are being questioned.
“ACS has a strong historical commitment to Australia being served by an ethical and trustworthy ICT profession, and I’m proud we’ve updated and modernised our principles to reflect today’s dynamic technology sector,” continued McHugh.
ACS is the publisher of Information Age.
On the new CoPE website, technology professionals will find guidance on ethical behaviours and decision-making; the values and principles that underpin professional conduct; and behaviours that build and maintain public trust in technology professionals and ACS as the professional organisation for technology workers.
Educators will find fundamental values, standards and supporting material to assist learning on professional ethics in technology roles, now and as technologies change.
Client/purchaser of professional services will also find the ethical values and principles that underpin the judgements expected of technology professionals, including ACS members.
The Professional Ethics, Conduct and Complaints Phase 2 release is planned for February 2024 with a suite of member only online learning resources, including case studies, that help build skills in ethical behaviours and decision making.
Any comments or questions on CoPE 2023, can be sent to professionalethics@acs.org.au.
