Hp Pretexting Scandal
Yuri A. Batten
Module 2 Case 2: HP Pretexting Scandal
ETH501
TUI University
Dr. Bonnie Adams
Who is ever responsible for the wrong-doings of a corporation? Is it the person who actually commits the crime or the company that hired the person who committed the crime? In today’s world of finger pointing and blame shifting, anyone’s guess is as good as mine. Should Patricia Dunn, former chairwoman of Hewlett-Packard (HP), have been forced to resign? In my mind the answer is yes, without a doubt. This paper will present a background of the company, a brief synopsis of the situation, and explain in utilitarianism and deontology, why she should have been forced to resign for two reasons. First, she hired a law firm to investigate the members of the board of directors and second, because HP attempted to plant “spyware” on a CNET reporter’s computer. As a direct result of her decisions, there was criminal activity which led to public distrust. The Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), commonly referred to as HP, is a technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. HP is the largest technology company in the world and operates in nearly every country. HP specializes in developing and manufacturing computing, storage, and networking hardware, software and services. Major product lines include personal computing devices, enterprise servers, related storage devices, as well as a diverse range of printers and other imaging products. Other product lines, including electronic test equipment and systems, medical electronic equipment, solid state components and instrumentation for chemical analysis were spun off as Agilent Technologies in 1999. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hewlett-Packard). This whole mess started with some Board member(s) leaking information about the company to the press. Patricia Dunn was angered by a news report by CNET that stated the long-term strategy of HP.
Module 2 Case 2: HP Pretexting Scandal
ETH501
TUI University
Dr. Bonnie Adams
Who is ever responsible for the wrong-doings of a corporation? Is it the person who actually commits the crime or the company that hired the person who committed the crime? In today’s world of finger pointing and blame shifting, anyone’s guess is as good as mine. Should Patricia Dunn, former chairwoman of Hewlett-Packard (HP), have been forced to resign? In my mind the answer is yes, without a doubt. This paper will present a background of the company, a brief synopsis of the situation, and explain in utilitarianism and deontology, why she should have been forced to resign for two reasons. First, she hired a law firm to investigate the members of the board of directors and second, because HP attempted to plant “spyware” on a CNET reporter’s computer. As a direct result of her decisions, there was criminal activity which led to public distrust. The Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE:HPQ), commonly referred to as HP, is a technology corporation headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. HP is the largest technology company in the world and operates in nearly every country. HP specializes in developing and manufacturing computing, storage, and networking hardware, software and services. Major product lines include personal computing devices, enterprise servers, related storage devices, as well as a diverse range of printers and other imaging products. Other product lines, including electronic test equipment and systems, medical electronic equipment, solid state components and instrumentation for chemical analysis were spun off as Agilent Technologies in 1999. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hewlett-Packard). This whole mess started with some Board member(s) leaking information about the company to the press. Patricia Dunn was angered by a news report by CNET that stated the long-term strategy of HP.
Bibliography: 1. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hewlett-Packard 2. Rasch, M. (2006). Liar Liar and Pretexting. Retrieved November 12, 2010, from website: http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/417 3. Krazit, T (2006). The HP Pretexting Scandal. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from Website: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-149452.html 4. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from website: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9013102 5. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from website: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre10.shtm 6. Kaplan, D. A (2006). Suspicions and Spies in Silicon Valley; In a business saga, how Pattie Dunn 's obsession with trying to root out the source of press reports ended with the covert tracking of directors ' phone records. Retrieved November 12, 2010 from website: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=0&did=1126840741&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1236292031&clientId=29440