Communications of the ACM

of interest, as stated in imperative 1. 3.

As noted in the discussion of imperative 1. 2 on avoiding harm, any signs of danger from systems must be reported to those who have opportunity and/or responsibility to resolve them. See the guidelines for imperative 1. 2 for more details concerning harm, including the reporting of professional violations.

2. 6 Accept only those responsibilities
for which you are qualified, and honor
those commitments.

A computing professional has a responsibility to evaluate every work assignment. Should the evaluation identify reasons that the project should not be attempted, the professional must disclose those reasons to the employer or client. The assignment should not be accepted unless those reasons are mitigated by changes to the nature of the project.

Should the evaluation identify reasons that the professional does not have the expertise to complete the project, the professional must disclose this shortcoming to the employer or client, and request that the project be under-taken by someone with the appropriate qualifications.

Should the evaluation identify that the project is theoretically impossible to complete by anyone, the professional must disclose this impossibility to the employer or client and request that the project be dropped or modified in order to make the project theoretically possible.

On some occasions, other ethical principles may take greater priority, and a judgment that a specific assignment should not be performed may not be accepted. Only after serious consideration and with full disclosure of risks and concerns to the employer or client, and having clearly identified one’s concerns and reasons for that judgment that failed to result in a change to the nature of the project, should one accept the assignment if one is obligated, by contract or by law. The major underlying principle here is the obligation to accept personal accountability for professional work. The computing professional’s ethical judgment should be the final guide in deciding whether to proceed. Regardless of the decision, one must accept the responsibility for the consequences.

Computing professionals should en-
sure that system elements perform as
intended. When an ACM member con-
tracts for work with another party, the
member has an obligation to keep that
party properly informed about progress
toward completing that work.

2. 7 Improve public understanding of
computing, related technologies, and
their consequences.

Computing professionals have a responsibility to share technical knowledge with the public by creating awareness and encouraging understanding of computing, including the impacts of computer systems, their limitations, their vulnerabilities, and opportunities they present. This imperative implies an obligation to counter any false views related to computing.

2. 8 Access computing and communica-
tion resources only when authorized to
do so.

Theft or unauthorized destruction of tangible and electronic property is prohibited by imperative 1. 2— “Avoid harm to others.” Trespassing and unauthorized use of a computer or communication system is addressed by this imperative. Trespassing includes accessing communication networks and computer systems, or accounts and/or files within those systems, without authorization to do so. Individuals and organizations have the right to restrict access to their systems so long as they do not violate the discrimination principle (see imperative 1. 4). No one should access or use another’s computer system, software, or data files without permission. One should have appropriate approval before using system resources unless there is an overriding concern for the public good. To support this clause, a computing professional should take appropriate action to secure resources against unauthorized use.

3. ORGANIZATIONAL
LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVES.

In this section, “leader” means any member of an organization who has leadership or educational responsibilities. These imperatives generally apply to organizations as well as their leaders. “Organizations” are corporations, government agencies, and other “ employers,” as well as volunteer professional organizations.