Confidentiality

Confidentiality refers to an ethical principle associated with several professions for example; medicine, law, religion, and journalism. In ethics, and in some places in law, some types of communication between a person and one of these professionals are "privileged" and may not be discussed or divulged to third parties. In those jurisdictions

in which the law makes provision for such confidentiality, there are usually penalties for its violation. Confidentiality of information, enforced in an adaptation of military’s classic "need-to-know" principle, forms the cornerstone of information security in today's corporate.

Confidentiality is something that I find important in many different aspects of my life. I am thankful for confidentiality when it comes to me being patient. I would not want my doctor discussing my health with whom ever she pleases. It is also important in the workplace, in my family life and my life a sailor. I do believe however that confidentiality can be taken too far and has been taken too far many times. For example, in the medical aspect I can not get any information on my husband unless he has signed a release. What if he had a car accident and had not or was not able to sign a release. I find this absurd. I have the right to know because he is my husband. As far as the military is

concerned confidentiality is important because this is how we protect ourselves. We would not be safe if every other country in the world to know our “secrets” so to say. That is why when you join, depending on your job, you must pass a secret clearance check. The military operates on a “need-to-know” basis. If it isn’t your job and have no involvement in what is going on then you don’t need to know. If you are in the “know” so to say then you are to keep it confidential. This has its limits though. There are times that confidentiality must be broken for various reasons. For example, if you had to testify in court one may be forced to release the information needed. In conclusion, confidentiality can hurt or help a person it just depends on the situation at hand.

Newton, Lisa. Ethics in America Source Reader 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1989, 2004.

Newton,

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