Porfolio Topic Check

White House contol of Internet could lead to censorship of the public


1. Does the topic relate to ITGS? Explain how!
Yes, this topic does relate to ITGS becuase with this new proposed US Senate bill, the president will be able disconnect private sector computers from the internet.



2. Is the area of impact one that has not been addressed in a previous portfolio piece? Which area of impact have you already done? Which area of impact does this piece fit?
Yes, the area of impact for this topic has not been addressed in a previous portfolio piece. I have already done the health area of impact. The area of impact that this piece fits into is politics and the government.


3. Was the news item published no more than six months before you started the course (you started September 2008)? What is the publication date of the article?
Yes, the news item was published no more than six months before I started the course in September 2008. The publication of this article is August 28, 2009.


4. Does the article raise one or more social or ethical issues related to an IT system? State clearly the social or ethical issue.
Yes, this article does raise more than one social and/or ethical issue related to an IT system. The social issue is that raised when dealing with this topic is that certain computer systems and networks in the private sector be managed by people who have been awarded that license, which will allow them to see the things the private sector computers have been looking up on the internet which is a violation of privacy. The ethical issue is that the president will be able to see what every private sector computer has been doing on the internet during a "cybersecurity emergency".



5. Is the problem clear? Explain the problem.
Yes, the problem is clear. The problem deals with whether or not the president should have the right to disconnect the private sector computers during a cybersecurity emergency and if the president should have the right to issue that emergency.


6. Can you think of two viable solutions? Briefly state the possible solutions.
Yes, I can think of two viable solutions. One could be to really look into the private sector computers before they are named "critical" because that causes a company many problems. Another solution could be that the President along with an advisor can issue the cybersecurity emergency and that the president should have many people under the president should keep watch over the private sector computers instead of just a few people.


7. Do you have access to a range of resources on this topic? Name three possible resources to research this topic.
Yes, I have access to a range of resources on this topic. I can use the Information Technology News website run by Janco, BBC news, and CNN news. All of these websites have great articles on this topic however, the IT news website deals greatly with the topic piece.