Management and the Technology Professional – B302

Case study answer 1

As the lead developer for First4Internet LTD, the most compelling reason not to developing the rootkit for SONY BMG was the computing techniques used to create the anti-privacy software. The rootkit software that has been used by SONY BMG created vulnerabilities to the security of the user’s machine to malicious attack. The choice to construct anti-privacy software using rootkit techniques should not be the only way considered to tackle the copyright piracy in the music industry.

As lead developer I would take into consideration the professional code of conduct and come to two conclusions; firstly the rootkit could be changed by a “hacker” and thus take control of any SONY BMG anti-privacy software user’s machine? In my opinion it is completely viable for someone to have the knowledge to do so, therefore enabling them to control a pc as well as a worldwide network of computers with the First4Internet LTD software installed. Secondly, would this piece of software be a threat to the public interest? Without any doubt this technique used in the wrong hands could cause a huge threat to the public and therefore contradict the software developer’s professional code of practice.

As the lead developer to the First4Internet LTD I would stress the importance not to be legally liable for producing this software. This is because it breaks the Computer Misuse Act 1990 section 3. Introducing files onto a user’s pc without their knowledge how exactly it would operate upon the terms & conditions been broken. Therefore the techniques used are considerably detrimental to my legal standings and as a lead software developer I would have solely rejected the project to ensure First4Internet LTD from breaking English law.

Organisations such as SONY BMG require software in this area to protect their products. The industry alone loses $4.2 billion dollars a year and their latest company objectives to counter piracy have been brought into public interest as the major issues to the survival of the music industry. This could have affected the choice of the First4Internet LTD in methodology into the rootkit development. Personally I would like to see SONY BMG use this threat as an opportunity to launch a music player application which can only play the tracks on their CD’s if the CD is in the CD-ROM as well as other music stored on the hard drive. This leading to an increase in brand awareness and provide corporate opportunities with companies in this area e.g. Apple’s ITunes for partnerships or joint ventures.

These are clear recommendations I would have made to the company when outlined that the rootkit proposal, that do not have legal vulnerabilities and poor public interest in use.

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