This CODE OF ETHICS expresses the consensus of the profession on ethical issues and is a means to educate both the public and those who are entering the field about the ethical obligations of all e-commerce consultants. By joining EC-Council each member agrees to:
- Keep private any confidential information gained in her/his professional work, (in particular as it pertains to client lists and client personal information). Not collect, give, sell, or transfer any personal information (such as name, e-mail address, Social Security number, or other unique identifier) to a third party without client prior consent.
- Protect the intellectual property of others by relying on her/his own innovation and efforts, thus ensuring that all benefits vest with its originator.
- Disclose to appropriate persons or authorities potential dangers to any e-commerce clients, the Internet community, or the public, that she/he reasonably believes to be associated with a particular set or type of electronic transactions or related software or hardware.
- Provide service in their areas of competence, being honest and forthright about any limitations of her/his experience and education. Ensure that she/he is qualified for any project on which he/she works or proposes to work by an appropriate combination of education, training, and experience.
- Never knowingly use software or process that is obtained or retained either illegally or unethically.
- Not engage in deceptive financial practices such as bribery, double billing, or other improper financial practices.
- Use the property of a client or employer only in ways properly authorized, and with the owner’s knowledge and consent.
- Disclose to all concerned parties those conflicts of interest that cannot reasonably be avoided or escaped.
- Ensure good management for any project he/she leads, including effective procedures for promotion of quality and full disclosure of risk.
- Add to the knowledge of the e-commerce profession by constant study, share the lessons of her/his experience with fellow EC-Council members, and promote public awareness of benefits of electronic commerce.
- Conduct herself/himself in the most ethical and competent manner when soliciting professional service or seeking employment, thus meriting confidence in her/his knowledge and integrity.
- Ensure ethical conduct and professional care at all times on all professional assignments without prejudice.
- Not associate with malicious hackers nor engage in any malicious activities.
- Not purposefully compromise or cause to be compromised the client organization’s systems in the course of your professional dealings.
- Ensure all penetration testing activities are authorized and within legal limits.
- Not partake in any black hat activity or be associated with any black hat community that serves to endanger networks.
- Not be part of any underground hacking community for purposes of preaching and expanding black hat activities.