Summary of case
Company X has just signed a business agreement with Company Y, which entitles both of them to access each other clients' records. Faisal, a software programmer at Company Z, was assigned the task of developing a software program that handles the access and retrieval of records from each Company's database system into the other. A first run of the software on real data indicated that the work was well within the state of the art, and no difficulties were found or anticipated.
Several weeks later and during a normal test on the software developed, Faisal discovered a serious ‘security hole' in the database system of Company Y by which hackers can easily obtain confidential information about clients. He was convinced that while the software he developed could correctly accomplish the task, the code in Company Y's database system could not be trusted as the security hole posed a threat even on Company X's database system. Faisal told his manager about the problem and explained its significance. The manager's response was, "That's not our problem; let's just be sure that our software functions properly." Faisal is not sure what to do. Refusing to work on the project means disobeying his manager's orders. Continuing to work on the project, means disobeying one of God's commands, which requires him to be truthful and sincere in his dealings.
1.2.1 Public Interest
b) raise with stakeholders any potential conflicts between your professional activity and legal or other accepted public requirements;
c) advise your stakeholders as soon as possible of any conflicts of interest or conscientious objections that you have;
e) endeavour to preserve the integrity, security, continuity and utility of ICT;
g) endeavour to preserve the confidentiality and privacy of the information of others.
1.2.2 Quality of Life
d) attempt to increase the feelings of personal satisfaction, competence, and control of those affected by your work.
1.2.3 Honesty
b) not knowingly mislead a client or potential client as to the suitability of a product or service;
1.2.4 Competence
e) advise your stakeholders when you believe a proposed project, product or service is not in their best interest;
g) respect, and seek when necessary, the professional expertise of colleagues in their areas of competence.