27 Dec Which value should receive the highes

SEC575 Information Security Law and Ethics

Week 4 Discussion

DQ1 CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND BUSINESS

We tend to think of constitutional rights in terms of individuals–our rights to free speech, to worship or not worship as we see fit, our rights to be secure in our homes from unreasonable governmental intrusion and our rights as criminal defendants to a jury trial, to a competent attorney and the right against self-incrimination.

But a lot of these rights have relevance to business. And other rights such as the power of the federal government under the Commerce Clause and the right of governments to seize our property under eminent domain are critical to how businesses can profitably operate.

So let’s jump into what should be a fascinating discussion

DQ2 INVASIONS OF PRIVACY IN CYBERSPACE

Americans have a high regard for privacy. This regard is codified in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizure.

Is the Electronic Communication Privacy Act of 1986 sufficient to guarantee our rights to privacy in Internet and other electronic communications? Or, in the aftermath of 9/11 and the war on terror, should we reasonably expect government inroads into privacy and the use of snooping tools such as Carnivore?

SEC575 Information Security Law and Ethics

Week 5 Discussion

DQ1 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN AN INTERNET AGE

The Internet revolution brought with it a flood of intellectual property issues. We all know about the rise and fall of Napster and the efforts of next-generation file-sharing programs to build pure person-to-person networks. Our text discusses DeCSS software that can defeat anticopying protections on DVDs. Internationally, the problem has exploded, with knock-off software programs available throughout China and much of the Far East.

What can intellectual property owners, particularly the creators of music and movie entertainment, do to protect their copyrights?

Are international trade agreements likely to be effective in protecting copyright holders?

DQ2 “SUCK SITES,” FREE SPEECH, AND METATAGS

The Internet is the new soapbox anyone can use to voice an opinion. With that being the case, can a website that is critical of a business use the trademarked name of the business? Can those critical of the commercial practices of a business use the business’s name and also employ metatags to draw browsers of those who input the business’s name in the search engine?

Which value should receive the highest weight—the right of a company to protect its trademark or the right of unfettered free speech in the marketplace?

SEC575 Information Security Law and Ethics

Week 6 Discussion

DQ1 ETHICAL HACKER

Your CEO reads an article that a German firewall company, Securepoint, has hired the author of the Sasser worm. She also reads articles from security experts who are in support of or against the hiring. She concludes that it would be a good idea for your company to hire a local hacker to work for your company. She asks you, the company’s Chief Information Security Officer, for your opinion. Please advise whether you agree or disagree with the CEO, specifically addressing the ethical issues involved. (suggested reading: Baumer, pp. 725–726)

DQ2 CYBERETHICS

Using your favorite Search Engine, locate a website devoted to cyber ethics. Provide the URL and a summary of the ethical principles promoted by the website.

SEC575 Information Security Law and Ethics

Week 7 Discussion

DQ1 COMPUTER VIRUSES

Computer viruses can cause havoc when the infection hinders or disables personal or business computers. Naturally, the cost of dealing with viruses impacts major companies whenever an infection occurs and is high in both monetary and manpower expenditures. But even the small businessperson or casual user can experience major inconvenience, anguish, and expense when infected. Does the law deal severely enough with those who spread viruses? Is there anything more that the government could do to protect citizens and businesses that use the Internet that would not be viewed as an invasion of citizens’ rights? Now imagine that the next time you went to your personal computer it was useless because of a virus and had to be replaced, or that the next time you went to the computer lab on campus you found that a virus had disabled all computers on your campus for 6 months. Would your answer be different?

DQ2 THE INTERNET, PORN, AND FREE SPEECH

The attempt to regulate pornography and to develop definitions that do not run afoul of the First Amendment is expanding as the Internet becomes the number-one source for the dissemination of pornography. Attempts to regulate online pornography through the Communication Decency Act of 1996 and the Child Online Protection Act of 1998 have been struck down by the Supreme Court. What legal solutions are available to combat pornography? Are