Professional Code of Practice

Introduction

The purpose of The International CIO Institute's Professional Code of Practice is to promote an ethical culture in the profession, starting with the personal ethical behaviour of the CIO, and through their leadership and management, guide the ethical behaviour of all technology personnel and operations.

A code of ethics is vital for the profession, given the trust placed in the CIO's intrinsic involvement in, and custodianship of, all aspects of an organisations operations, transactions, private and confidential information, risk management, control, and governance.

The Professional Code of Practice together with other relevant Institute pronouncements provides guidance to Senior IT Executives internal to an organisation, and those professionals who provide relevant services to organisations including external consultants, advisors, contract appointments and mentors.

Applicability and Enforcement

This Professional Code of Practice applies to all of the Institute’s Associate Members, Certified Members and Certified Fellows (“Members of the Institute”).

Breaches of the Professional Code of Practice, including conduct not specifically mentioned in the Code which is deemed unacceptable or discreditable, will be evaluated by The Institute, and may result in termination of Membership.

Ethical Principles

Members of the Institute are expected to apply and uphold the following principles:

  • Integrity
  • Objectivity
  • Confidentiality & Privacy
  • Competency
  • Professionalism

1. Integrity

    Members of the Institute:

    1.1. Shall perform their work with honesty, diligence, and responsibility.
   
    1.2. Shall observe the law and make disclosures expected by the law and the profession.   
   
    1.3. Shall not knowingly be a party to any illegal activity, or engage in acts that are discreditable to the profession, to their employer organisation or to the Institute.

    1.4. Shall respect and contribute to the legitimate and ethical objectives of the profession, their employer organisation and the Institute.

2. Objectivity

    Members of the Institute:

    2.1. Shall not participate in any activity or relationship that may impair or be presumed to impair their unbiased execution of their responsibilities.     This participation includes those activities or relationships that may be in conflict with the interests of their employer organisation.

    2.2. Shall not accept anything that may impair or be presumed to impair their professional judgment.

3. Confidentiality and Privacy

    Members of the Institute:

    3.1. Shall be prudent in the use and protection of information acquired in the course of their duties.

    3.2. Shall not use information for any personal gain or in any manner that would be contrary to the law or detrimental to the legitimate and ethical     objectives of their employer organisation.

    3.3. Shall access private information on computer systems only when it is necessary in the course of their duties, and shall maintain and protect     the confidentiality of any information to which they may have access.

4. Competency

    Members of the Institute:

    4.1. Shall seek to undertake their work with diligence and skill appropriate to the needs of their employer organisation.

    4.2. Shall seek, where resources allow, to supplement their skills (internally or externally) in areas where their knowledge, skills, and experience     may not be adequate or appropriate to the given situation.

    4.3. Shall continually improve their proficiency, effectiveness and quality of their capabilities by remaining engaged in a high standard of ongoing     professional development.

    4.4. Shall strive to ensure the appropriate integrity, reliability, and availability of the technology for which they are responsible, and will liaise with         the appropriate risk management procedures of the organisation regarding any known or unexamined risks, dangers or deficiencies.

5. Professionalism

    Members of the Institute:

    5.1. Shall maintain professional conduct in the workplace and will not allow personal feelings or beliefs to allow them to treat people unfairly or         unprofessionally.

    5.2 Shall communicate appropriately and respectfully with all stakeholders, colleagues, suppliers and clients and will strive to listen to and                 understand the needs of all parties.

    5.3. Shall lead by example, maintaining a high ethical standard and degree of professionalism in the performance of all duties.

    5.4. Shall support colleagues and staff in following this professional code of practice.

    5.5. Shall work with the broader stakeholder community to encourage the writing and adoption of relevant policies consistent with these ethical         principles.

    5.6. Shall not bring the profession, their employer organisation or the Institute into disrepute.