Ethical dilemma in an information security setting
Develop a scenario that presents an ethical dilemma in an information security setting. Take this opportunity to develop a scenario that will stimulate a discussion on different approaches to privacy and ethical problems. The scenario you create should be realistic but unique. It’s okay to think creatively!
Your scenario will be more engaging and meaningful if it is plausible. Focus on typical events rather than rare occurrences or unrealistic characters.
Provide enough background for participants to see how the situation and policies could influence outcomes.
Leave enough ambiguity for participants to interpret unknown factors that might influence their approach.
Provide a clear question or decision for participants to address.
Review the following example of an ethical dilemma scenario, but don’t use it as your initial post.
Your IT administrator assigns the members of your department to perform the company’s yearly ethical hacking audit. During last year’s exercise, one of the IT engineers went outside the scope of the ethical hacking contract and accessed HR files. This was deemed a deliberate violation of the plan, and the employee was fired. However, the vulnerability to access the records was included in the ethical hacking audit report. Knowing that this vulnerability existed last year, how would you proceed in this year’s audit?
The Dilemma:
- The AI system has recently flagged a series of unusual data access patterns originating from the hospital's oncology department.
- The access patterns suggest that a specific oncologist, Dr. Evans, might be inappropriately accessing patient data beyond the scope of their clinical responsibilities.
- You suspect Dr. Evans may be using patient information for research purposes without proper authorization or oversight.
- This could constitute a serious breach of patient privacy and potentially jeopardize the trust between patients and the healthcare provider.
The Ethical Considerations:
- Protecting Patient Privacy: Your primary responsibility is to safeguard sensitive patient data. Investigating Dr. Evans' activities is crucial to ensure compliance with HIPAA and maintain patient trust.
- Respecting Employee Privacy: Dr. Evans is a valued member of the medical staff. Accusations of data misuse can have significant professional and personal repercussions.
- Balancing Security with Trust: Over-reliance on AI systems can lead to false positives and erode trust among employees.
- Transparency and Communication: How do you communicate your concerns to Dr. Evans, the hospital administration, and potentially the relevant authorities?
The Decision:
- How do you proceed with your investigation into Dr. Evans' data access activities while minimizing the potential impact on their career and maintaining a productive working relationship with the oncology department?
This scenario presents several ethical dilemmas:
- Confidentiality vs. Transparency: Balancing the need to protect patient data with the need to respect Dr. Evans' privacy and due process.
- Trust in Technology: Evaluating the reliability and ethical implications of using AI for surveillance and decision-making.
- Responsibility and Accountability: Determining the appropriate level of investigation and the potential consequences for Dr. Evans.
This scenario encourages a discussion on different approaches to privacy, data security, and the ethical use of technology in healthcare. Participants can explore various perspectives, consider the potential consequences of different actions, and develop strategies for addressing these complex ethical challenges.
Scenario:
Background:
- You are the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for a mid-sized healthcare provider.
- Your organization has a strong commitment to patient privacy and data security, adhering to strict HIPAA regulations.
- You recently implemented a new AI-powered system for anomaly detection within the hospital network. This system is designed to identify and flag suspicious activity, such as unusual login attempts, data exfiltration attempts, and potential malware infections.