1. Why Confidentiality Is the Core Ethical Issue Here

When working inengineering, technology, or applied sciences, professionals often haveaccess to proprietary company information.

Ethical professionalsmust safeguard this informationandnot disclose it to unauthorized parties.

2. Case Study Example: Confidentiality Breach

Scenario:

ACET working at an IT companygains access to anew prototype software design.

Without permission, theyshare some of the details with a former colleaguewho works at acompeting company.

This is aclear breach of confidentiality, violating:

Company policies

Employment contracts (Non-Disclosure Agreements - NDAs)

OACETT’s Code of Ethics

3. Why Confidentiality Violations Are Serious

Legal Consequences:

Companiescan take legal action for theft of intellectual property.

Breaching confidentialitycan result in terminationor loss of certification.

Ethical Consequences:

Trust between professionals, clients, and employersis destroyed.

The reputation ofboth the individual and the profession is damaged.

4. Why Option A Is Correct:

Confidentiality is a foundational ethical principlefor professionals working with sensitive information.

Maintaining confidentialityensures trust between professionals, companies, and clients.

5. Why Other Options Are Incorrect:

B (Accepting only qualified assignments)– Important, butnot the core ethical issue in this scenario.

C (Serving clients and employers)– Ethical service is required, butnot the main problem here.

D (Receiving adequate compensation)– Compensationis not relevant to this case.