Purpose: In this assignment, you will write an expository report to outline a computer use policy. Consider the following fictional scenario below described in a memo, a form of communication you will typically encounter in your future employment:

Memo

To: Technology Advisor

From: Legal

Re: Computer Use Policy

Due to many changes in the corporate structure and global growth and because we have instituted a new “bring your own device” policy, it is very important that we create a computer use policy for all employees to sign. This will alert them to potential ethical issues that may arise due to the use of the company technology.

Areas to include to ensure our entire workforce is represented:

1. Creativity and innovation
2. Diverse knowledge
3. The ability to compete
4. Enterprise skills
5. Ethical concerns

The policy needs to reflect your knowledge of the values of and technology used by different cultures.

Please research several computer use policies online. You may use them as guides in the development of our policy; however, it is very important that you do not duplicate or copy any policy to avoid copyright infringement claims against the company.

Assignment Instructions:

Write a computer use policy that addresses the following topics:

1. Your explanation of ethical computing
2. Your explanation of plagiarism and copyright infringement.
   1. What is the difference between the two?
   2. How do you know if you are plagiarizing or violating copyright?
   3. Research plagiarism and find an example of plagiarism that was in the news.
   4. Explain copyleft.
   5. Summarize ethical concerns and describe how different cultures may view these topics.
3. Your explanation of software piracy.
   1. What are the penalties?
   2. Summarize ethical concerns and describe how different cultures may view this topic.
4. Your explanation of ethical issues related to using social media.
   1. Give a specific example in which an employee was terminated due to actions on social media.
5. Your explanation of an employer’s legal right to review employee activities using their technology in each of the following ways listed below. Remember an employer’s goal is to maintain a secure network and to protect company assets and information.

   For each method below, give specific examples in which the law has been upheld or applied:

   1. Keylogging
   2. Reading emails
   3. Monitoring Internet usage/sites visited

When answering these questions, please write 3 to 4 sentences on each topic. Give examples where appropriate. Use a minimum of 2 sources other than your book. Ensure you include a title and a reference page. Remember to cite your sources using APA citation style.

 

 

 

123{replace with chosen company name} Computer Use Policy

Purpose: To explain, discuss, and outline computer technology concepts such as ethics, plagiarism, copyright infringement, copyleft, software piracy, shared internet, and ethics with regards to social media, and the legal rights contained herein by the 123 Corporation. For the purposes of this document, “company” will be used in lieu of the 123 Corporation, and “You” will be used in lieu of an employee of the 123 Corporation.

 

SECTION I

1. Ethical Computing: {Fill in with response to question 1}

With regards to the company policy, you are expected to:

{Fill in high level expectations for computer use and Internet use}

 

 

 

SECTION II

1. Plagiarism and Copyright Infringement: {Fill in with response to question 2}

With regards to this policy I understand and acknowledge the following:

II.A. Plagiarism and copyright infringement are distinct from each other in the following way: {Fill in with Response}

II.B.  Plagiarizing / Violating a Copyright: {Fill in with Response}

II.C. Example in national news article: {Fill in with Response}

II.D. Copyleft: {Fill in with Response}

II.E. Summary of ethical concerns and describe how different cultures may view these topics: {Fill in with Response}

 

 

With regards to the company policy, you are expected to:

{Fill in high level expectations in support of adhering to plagiarism and copyright infringement}

 

 

 

SECTION III

III. Software Piracy: {Fill in with response to question 3}

With regards to the company policy, you are expected to:

{Fill in high level expectations in support of adhering to software policies}

III.A. What are the penalties?  {Fill in with Response}

III.B.  Summarize ethical concerns and describe how different cultures may view this topic. {Fill in with Response}

 

 

 

SECTION IV

1. Ethical issues related to using social media: {Fill in with response to question}

IV A. Example in national news article where employee was terminated: {Fill in with Response}

With regards to the company policy, you are expected to:

{Fill in high level expectations in support of adhering to software policies}

 

 

 

SECTION V

1. Employer’s legal rights to review your activities using their technology: {Fill in with response to question}

V A. Example in national news article related to an employer’s right to keylogging: {Fill in with Response}

 

V B. Example in national news article related to an employer’s right to reading emails: {Fill in with Response}

 

V C. Example in national news article related to an employer’s right to monitoring Internet use and sites visited: {Fill in with Response}

 

With regards to the company policy, you are expected to:

{Fill in high level expectations in support of adhering to software policies}

 

 

 

 

 

 

References