5. Computers, Society and Law (20 credits)
Qualification: OTHM Level 6 Diploma in Information Technology
Unit ref: K/617/3038 | GLH: 80 | TQT: 200
Overview and Aims
This unit develops learners’ ability to deal with work-related IT issues beyond the immediate technical tasks — covering ethical, legal, and societal considerations. Formal legal requirements, professional responsibilities, and relevant codes of conduct are included.
Aims:
- Develop understanding of ethical conflicts of interest facing IT professionals in workplace settings.
- Examine the legislative environment governing IT activities including data protection and cybercrime law.
- Enable learners to review security risks in an organisation and design an IT security policy.
Indicative Content (Summary)
- Ethical issues: conflicts of interest, use of confidential information, post-employment restrictions, AR/VR technologies.
- Legislation: Communications Act 2003, Computer Misuse Act 1990, Data Protection Act 2003, GDPR 2018.
- Impact of legislation: financial data protection, health and safety, copyright and intellectual property.
- Cybercrime categories: financial fraud, phishing/social engineering, cyberextortion, online harassment, cyberbullying.
- Risk assessment: enterprise risk management, audit control, disaster recovery, ISO 27001, BS 3001.
- IT security policy design: access control, physical security, data protection, 3rd party access, business continuity.
Outcomes
Learners will be able to:
- Understand ethical concerns relating to Information Technology activities.
- Understand the legislative environment relating to Information Technology activities.
- Understand common types of computer-oriented crimes.
- Be able to review security risks in an organisation and design an IT security policy.
Lessons:
