Whether Information technology professionals can also be held liable?

Information technology professionals play a critical role in the operations of virtually all sectors and industries.  As they perform their work, they are also held accountable for their conduct by a range of legal duties and obligations. Intentional conduct by computer professionals results in disruption of computer systems or services, or impedes access to those systems or services, the individuals involved can face legal liability.

The concepts of service disruption and impediments to access have potentially broad scope.  For example, one could conceivably argue that the introduction and use of secret surveillance technologies into computer and communications networks constitutes a form of service disruption.  Under such an interpretation, it could be possible that the information technology professionals involved in those activities might face liability under existing laws against computer system abuse.

As the role of information technology professionals becomes increasingly significant for a wide range of applications, the legal constraints directed toward those professionals are likely to become more highly visible and significant.  Information technology professionals should recognize that laws primarily intended to address abusive conduct undertaken by malicious outsiders are also applicable to the authorized users of the networks to the extent that those users engage in unreasonable or inappropriate activities.

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