I would like a glass of ethics and a slice of moral responsibility please..

I was reading a CNN article today regarding Wikileaks and the disclosure of sensitive classified documents.

I just looked at Wikileaks for the first time ever… It is not news, it is not investigative journalism, it is the public release of ANY classified documentation that can be obtained, which for most people is useless where to terrorist or another country, it is priceless.

This confirms (it screams..) the need for enhanced security on networks which contain sensitive information. It also echoes what I and other Technologists have been screaming for years… The weakest link in a heavily protected and professionally secured network will always be the end user.

The simple fact that someone that low in the military food chain could download and distribute thousands of classified documents should act as a LOUD wakeup call for the military, and also confirms the need for additional security  which would be relatively easy to implement. The technology exists via USB, Smart Cards and other Authentication Applications which can actually lock down a network to the point that the possibility someone could take a single document and distribute in a readable format, is almost null.

I firmly and wholeheartedly agree with Robert Gates comment that Wikileaks is morally guilty.

As technologists, bloggers, web journalists, etc. we have an ethical obligation to distribute accurate information, however we also have a MORAL obligation NOT to distribute information which could knowingly harm another person.

Wikileaks crossed the line of responsibility by posting classified documents which could lead to killings of Afghans, and other civilians of different nationalities, and break down military or political relationships between different countries.

The reason I am blogging about this is not to rant, not to bash Wikileaks or the soldier who betrayed our country, but to simply state that we all have a responsibility to ourselves and to humanity to do what is right.

None of us are always right. As long as we are people, we will make mistakes. We can however, put thought into what we do, PRIOR to doing it…

These days, information is everywhere as are social media sites. You have choices when it comes to the way you select to distribute information to others.  With that being said, each of us should always think about the consequences of any information we choose to distribute.

It is easy when upset, angry, or agitated to beat up the keyboard and virtually bash online, the subject of said agitation.  

What separates right from wrong when posting information to the internet is the decision that we each make in regards to the content we are posting, the consequences it may have, the thoughts and feelings the content will invoke, and most importantly.. the one question that every person should make prior to publishing anything to the internet…………….

“Will the content I am posting, in any way, shape, form, or manner, bring forth harm to another person”.

If the answer is yes, the content I am posting could cause harm to another person, then NO. you should not post it.

I am not sure how others feel about Wikileaks posting content they know could harm people. Personally and professionally I do not have respect for anyone who lacks the ability to act in an ethical and professional manner when publishing information to the public.

I am certain Wikileaks has gotten more publicity than money could buy, but it is the wrong type of publicity..

Always think about what you post before you post it………………. What will it do to others and how will others judge you for the information you posted..

With the Social Media Boom, you can rest assured that whatever you post is available to everyone in the world, even if you think your privacy is safe because you selected “friends only”…

You have two choices now in regards to privacy online…  Live a transparent life and post away like I do, or…. Stop using social media, delete all of your accounts, stop filling out any web forms on any web site, go back to sending letters through the mail instead of email and e-cards.. My point being, that most people will not be giving up the internet any time soon….

You need to assume and believe that whatever you post, will be able to be seen by the entire world, and therefor make sure what you are posting is accurate, will not knowingly harm another person, is ethical, and morally responsible.