Elmo Recio

Computer Ethics

Term Paper Thesis

The issue of computer security has been around for quite a while. Since the early days of computing for business purposes, the need to keep the data safe has been an unmitigating topic. As the need for networked computers, and a network environment increased, so has the need for more high-tech methods of keeping the data safe. Where once, the data (on tape) would be escorted to the reader by an armed guard, we now have 'smart' data. This encrypted data, protected by layers of security measures, is still no defense by the savvy computer expert. Doomed by the government's intervention, and behind-closed-doors tactics the security we have today seems naked. This paper will explore the various aspects of computer security as they pertain to an organization's right to privacy versus the government's efforts to maintain control over encryption.

Currently, the following sources may be used to explore the topic at hand (this list is subject to change as the paper develops):

1) Carroll, John Millar. Computer security / by John M. Carroll. Los Angeles : Security World Pub. Co., 1977.

2) Cryptography's role in securing the information society / Kenneth W. Dam and Herbert S. Lin, editors ; Committee to Study National Cryptography Policy, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council. Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, 1996.

3) Freedman, Warren. The right of privacy in the computer age / Warren Freedman. New York : Quorum Books, 1987.

4) Privacy and government data banks : an international perspective / David H. Flaherty. London : Mansell, 1979.

5) The Data Processing security game : safeguarding against the real dangers of computer abuse / Robert S. Becker. New York : Pergamon Press, c1977.

6) Computer-security technology / James Arlin Cooper. Lexington, Mass. : LexingtonBooks, c1984.

7) Computer security : a management audit approach / Norman L. Enger, Paul W. Howerton. New York, N.Y. : AMACOM, c1980.

8) Security safeguards for the computer / Charles F. Hemphill, Jr., Robert D. Hemphill. New York : AMACOM, c1979.

9) The politics of privacy, computers, and criminal justice records : controlling the social costs of technological change / Donald A. Marchand. Arlington, Va. : Information Resources Press, 1980.

10) Public-key cryptography : state of the art and future directions : E.I.S.S. workshop, Oberwolfach, Germany, July 3-6, 1991 : final report / Th. Beth, M. Frisch, G.J. Simmons (eds.). Berlin ; New York : Springer-Verlag, 1992.