Chartered IT Professional (CITP) Professionalism, Ethics and Conduct Syllabus

Professionalism, Ethics and Conduct syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Professionalism, Ethics and Conduct in Chartered IT Professional (CITP), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The BCS Code of Conduct and Professional Standards

   4 topics

   • Public Interest Obligations
     • Public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others
     • Rights of third parties and conflicting interests
     • Equality, diversity and inclusion in IT practice
     • Awareness of environmental and societal impact
   • Professional Competence and Integrity
     • Working only within areas of current competence
     • Maintaining awareness of technological developments
     • Honesty about capabilities and limitations
     • Avoiding and disclosing conflicts of interest
   • Duty to Relevant Authority
     • Acting with care and diligence for employers and clients
     • Confidentiality and proper use of authority
     • Whistleblowing and raising concerns appropriately
   • Duty to the Profession
     • Upholding the reputation of BCS and the profession
     • Supporting fellow members and the wider community
     • Acting with professional courtesy
2. 2

   Ethics in Computing and Emerging Technology

   3 topics

   • Ethical Frameworks and Decision-Making
     • Consequentialist, deontological and virtue ethics
     • Applying ethical reasoning to IT dilemmas
   • Ethics of Data and Artificial Intelligence
     • Algorithmic bias, fairness and transparency
     • Accountability and explainability of automated decisions
     • Responsible and trustworthy AI principles
   • Digital Responsibility and Sustainability
     • Green IT and energy-efficient computing
     • Digital inclusion and accessibility duty
     • E-waste and responsible disposal
3. 3

   Professional Accountability and Liability

   3 topics

   • Duty of Care and Negligence
     • Standard of care expected of professionals
     • Foreseeable harm and reasonable practice
   • Contractual and Statutory Obligations
     • Professional indemnity and liability
     • Service-level commitments and breach
   • Disciplinary Processes and Sanctions
     • BCS complaints and investigation procedure
     • Consequences of breaching the Code

Professionalism, Ethics and Conduct flashcards for Chartered IT Professional (CITP)

23 of 50 cards from the Professionalism, Ethics and Conduct deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the BCS (Chartered Institute for IT) Code of Conduct and to whom does it apply?

   It is the set of professional standards that all BCS members must follow as a condition of membership. It is structured around four duties: Public Interest, Professional Competence and Integrity, Duty to Relevant Authority, and Duty to the Profession. Breaching it can lead to disciplinary action.

2. Under the BCS Code of Conduct's 'Public Interest', what three groups must a professional have due regard for?

   Public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others and the environment; the legitimate rights of third parties; and the rights of all (no unfair discrimination on grounds such as sex, sexual orientation, marital status, nationality, colour, race, ethnic origin, religion, age or disability).

3. What does the Public Interest duty require regarding conflicts between user/client interests and the wider public?

   You must 'have due regard for public health, privacy, security and wellbeing of others'. Where conflicts arise, the broader public interest generally takes precedence over narrower client or personal interests.

4. Define 'public interest' in the context of IT professionalism.

   The collective welfare of society at large — including safety, security, privacy, the environment and the legitimate rights of third parties — considered above the narrower interests of an individual client, employer or oneself.

5. What obligation does the Public Interest principle place on a professional regarding the environment?

   To have due regard for the environment and promote sustainable practices, considering the wider impact of IT systems on natural resources and society, not just immediate functional or commercial goals.

6. Under Public Interest, how must an IT professional treat the rights of third parties?

   They must conduct professional activities without discrimination and have due regard for the legitimate rights of third parties, including their privacy, intellectual property and data, even when those parties are not the direct client.

7. What does the BCS 'Professional Competence and Integrity' duty require about working within your competence?

   You must only undertake work within your professional competence, not claim a level of competence you do not possess, and develop your knowledge through continuing professional development (CPD).

8. What is CPD and why is it mandatory for a Chartered IT Professional?

   Continuing Professional Development — the ongoing maintenance and broadening of knowledge and skills. It is required to keep competence current in a rapidly changing field and is a condition of maintaining chartered status (BCS expects recorded, planned CPD).

9. Under Professional Competence and Integrity, what must you do when accepting professional responsibility?

   Accept it only if you believe you can fulfil it; ensure others under your direction are competent; respect and value alternative viewpoints; give honest, fair criticism; and reject/report any bribery or unethical inducement.

10. Distinguish 'competence' from 'integrity' as used in the BCS Code.

    Competence is having and maintaining the knowledge and skill to perform work to a professional standard. Integrity is acting honestly, fairly and ethically — not claiming false competence, not accepting bribes, and giving honest criticism.

11. What does the Code require regarding bribery and inducements?

    You must reject and not offer any bribery or unethical inducement. Accepting or offering bribes breaches Professional Competence and Integrity and may also constitute a criminal offence under the Bribery Act 2010.

12. Under Professional Competence and Integrity, what is required when claiming qualifications and experience?

    You must not claim any level of competence you do not possess, and must only offer to do work that is within your professional competence — i.e. represent your skills, qualifications and experience honestly.

13. What is the 'Duty to Relevant Authority' in the BCS Code, and who is the relevant authority?

    The duty to carry out work with due care and diligence in accordance with the relevant authority's requirements while exercising professional judgement. The 'relevant authority' is the person/organisation with authority over your activities — usually your employer or client.

14. List the key obligations under 'Duty to Relevant Authority'.

    Carry out work with due care and diligence and in accordance with the authority's requirements; avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest; accept professional responsibility for your work and your subordinates' work; not disclose confidential information except with permission or legal requirement; not misrepresent or withhold information on performance/products/services; and not take advantage of lack of knowledge or inexperience of others.

15. How must conflicts of interest be handled under the Duty to Relevant Authority?

    You must avoid any situation that may give rise to a conflict of interest between you and the relevant authority, and make full and immediate disclosure to them if such a conflict arises.

16. What does the Duty to Relevant Authority say about confidential information?

    You must not disclose or authorise disclosure of, or use for personal gain, confidential information acquired in the course of professional activities — except with prior permission of the relevant authority or where required by law (Legal and Regulatory Duties).

17. What is the 'Duty to the Profession' in the BCS Code?

    The obligation to uphold the reputation and good standing of BCS and the IT profession generally — acting with integrity, supporting fellow members, encouraging professional development, and not bringing the profession into disrepute.

18. List the key obligations under 'Duty to the Profession'.

    Accept your personal duty to uphold the reputation of the profession and not damage BCS's image; act with integrity towards fellow members and members of other professions; encourage and support members in their professional development; and notify BCS if convicted of a criminal offence, made bankrupt, or disqualified as a company director.

19. Under Duty to the Profession, what events must you notify BCS about?

    If you are convicted of a criminal offence, become bankrupt or have a county court judgment made against you, or are disqualified from acting as a company director — these may affect your fitness as a member.

20. How does the Duty to the Profession address relations with other professionals?

    You must act with integrity in your relationships with all BCS members and with members of other professions with whom you work in a professional capacity, supporting the standing of the profession as a whole.

21. What is an ethical framework, and why are they used in professional decision-making?

    A structured approach (set of principles or a reasoning process) for analysing dilemmas and reaching defensible decisions. They are used to make ethical reasoning systematic, transparent and consistent rather than purely intuitive.

22. Compare consequentialism (utilitarianism) and deontology as ethical theories.

    Consequentialism/utilitarianism judges an action by its outcomes — the right act maximises overall good (greatest good for the greatest number). Deontology judges actions by adherence to duties/rules/rights regardless of outcome — some acts are inherently right or wrong.

23. What is virtue ethics, and how does it differ from rule- and outcome-based ethics?

    Virtue ethics focuses on the moral character of the agent — asking 'what would a person of good character (honesty, courage, integrity) do?' rather than focusing on rules (deontology) or consequences (consequentialism).

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