WGU University WGU-QCO1 Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

WGU University WGU-QCO1 Online Questions & Answers

• Question 1:

  After Alliah Company and Quiet Flag Industries signed an exclusive data exchange deal, Alliah Company received a better offer from Endothon Company. Despite legal obligations. Alliah Company signs a deal with Endothon Company and

  immediately ceases activities with Quiet Flag Industries.

  Which ethical issue is Alliah Company engaging in by signing the deal with Endothon Company and ceasing activities with Quiet Flag Industries?

  A. Computer fraud
  B. Misrepresentation
  C. Breach of contract
  D. Conflict of interest
  D. Conflict of interest

  ---

  Explanation

  Confidentiality ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive information. Why Confidentiality Was Violated?

  Payroll information is sensitive and should be accessible only to authorized employees.

  The erroneous access granted to new hires means private financial information is at risk.

  Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in cybersecurity, ensuring that data is accessed only by those who need it.

  A. Availability ?Ensures systems remain operational, but this case concerns unauthorized access, not system downtime.

  B. Accessibility ?Relates to making data usable for authorized individuals, but this case involves an unauthorized access issue.

  C. Integrity ?Ensures data remains accurate and unaltered, but the issue here is privacy, not data accuracy.

  Why Not the Other Options?Thus, the correct answer is

  D. Confidentiality, as it ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information.

  National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework.

  ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security Management Systems.

• Question 2:

  A robotics company engages an IT firm to deliver a marketing software solution. During the project, the robotics company asks for additional features that were not in the initial contract. The IT firm's project leader is unsure whether it can

  deliver these features but verbally agrees to the scope change. On delivery, the robotics company notes that several of the additional features are not included and that because of this, the solution is not compatible with certain legacy

  systems the company did not initially disclose.

  Which factor might have mitigated the problem if the IT firm's project leader had abided by a professional code of ethics?

  A. Minimizing scope creep requests from the customer
  B. Improving decision-making around agreeing to additional scopes
  C. Avoiding the delivery of an incompatible solution
  D. Understanding the legal implications of noncontractual agreements
  B. Improving decision-making around agreeing to additional scopes

  ---

  Explanation

  The issue in this scenario stems from scope creep --when a project's requirements expand beyond the original contract. The IT firm's project leader verbally agreed to additional features without ensuring their feasibility, leading to incomplete

  delivery and incompatibility issues.

  By following a professional code of ethics , the project leader would have:**

  Carefully assessed whether the additional scope was feasible

  Formalized the agreement in writing rather than relying on verbal commitments

  Ensured realistic expectations regarding system compatibility

  Project Management Ethics (PMI Code of Ethics) ?Encourages informed decision-making and clear scope agreements.

  ACM and IEEE Codes of Ethics ?Stress honest communication, responsibility, and due diligence in IT projects.

  Contract Law and Professional Responsibility ?Professionals should document scope changes to avoid miscommunication.

  Utilitarian Ethics (Preventing Harm) ?Poor decisions on scope cause project failures and stakeholder losses.

  Relevant Ethical References in Technology:Thus, the correct answer is

  B. Improving decision-making around agreeing to additional scopes , as ethical decision-making could have mitigated scope creep issues.

• Question 3:

  A new IT employee has questions about how the organization determines resolutions to issues that impact its values and overarching principles. What should the employee refer to first for guidance?

  A. Corporate responsibility matrix
  B. Ethical decision-making processes
  C. Code of ethics
  D. Board of directors
  C. Code of ethics

  ---

  Explanation

  A Code of Ethics is a formal document that outlines an organization's values, principles, and expected ethical behaviors. It serves as the first point of reference for employees seeking guidance on ethical decision-making within a company.

  Why Code of Ethics?

  The Code of Ethics establishes the foundational principles that guide an organization's decision-making, ensuring consistency in ethical practices.

  It typically includes guidelines on conflicts of interest, integrity, fairness, and responsibility, helping employees resolve ethical dilemmas.

  The new IT employee can refer to this document to understand how the company resolves ethical issues and enforces its values.

  A. Corporate Responsibility Matrix: This tool may help outline social and environmental responsibilities but does not explicitly guide ethical decision-making.

  B. Ethical Decision-Making Processes: While important, this is a procedural framework rather than a reference document employees would check first.

  D. Board of Directors: The Board oversees corporate governance but is not a direct source for employee guidance on ethical matters. Why Not the Other Options?Thus, the best answer is

  C. Code of Ethics as it directly provides ethical

  standards employees should follow.

  Moor, J. (1985). "What is Computer Ethics?" Metaphilosophy, 16(4), 266-275. Floridi, L. (2010). Information: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.

  Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics (2022).

  IEEE Code of Ethics (2020).

• Question 4:

  A company needs to fill a specialized, long-term engineering role. The worker in this role needs to work on- site and use a company-provided laptop for security. The company's corporate code of ethics dictates that it should prioritize

  economic empowerment in its local community. The company has not been successful in sourcing local candidates.

  Which type of worker should the company consider expanding its candtdate pool to include?

  A. H-1B
  B. Offshore
  C. Gig
  D. Freelance
  A. H-1B

  ---

  Explanation

  The H-1B visa program allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals when qualified local candidates are unavailable. Since the company needs a specialized, long-term engineering role that requires on-site work and

  prioritizes local economic empowerment , expanding the search to include H-1B visa workers is the best option.

  Unlike offshore workers (who work remotely) or freelance/gig workers (who typically work on short- term projects) , an H-1B worker can relocate, work full-time, and use company-provided resources securely.

  Workforce Ethics and Economic Empowerment ?Ethical hiring ensures fair job opportunities while addressing labor shortages.

  H-1B Program Regulations (U.S. Immigration Laws) ?Allows companies to fill specialized roles with foreign workers when local talent is unavailable.

  Deontological Ethics (Fair Hiring Practices) ?Companies have an ethical obligation to recruit based on skills and business needs.

  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Diversity Hiring ?Welcoming international talent fosters inclusivity and economic growth.

  Relevant Ethical References in Technology:Thus, the correct answer is A. H-1B , as it allows the company to hire specialized foreign workers when local candidates are unavailable.

• Question 5:

  A company builds a new artificial intelligence (Al) system that helps address drug and alcohol use disorders by developing an individualized plan to support people with one of these disorders. The system developers load nationwide

  information from the last 20 years to provide a baseline for the Al to analyze. Upon activating the system, the company receives complaints about bias against minorities with a drug or alcohol use disorder.

  What introduced bias into the system?

  A. Size disparity
  B. Skewed sample
  C. Proxy data
  D. Limited features
  B. Skewed sample

  ---

  Explanation

  A skewed sample occurs when historical data is biased, unrepresentative, or imbalanced , leading to discriminatory AI outcomes. In this case, the AI system was trained on 20 years of national data , which likely contained historical biases

  against minorities in drug and alcohol disorder treatments.

  Since past law enforcement and healthcare policies have disproportionately impacted minority groups , the AI inherited these biases and began making unfair, discriminatory predictions.

  Algorithmic Bias and AI Ethics (ACM/IEEE Guidelines) ?AI models must be trained on diverse and representative data.

  Fairness in Machine Learning (FAT/ML Framework) ?Preventing bias in AI requires identifying and correcting skewed data.

  Historical Bias and Systemic Discrimination ?Training AI on biased past records leads to unethical and discriminatory outcomes.

  Deontological Ethics (Fair AI Decision-Making) ?AI developers must ensure unbiased, ethical, and fair AI outputs.

  Relevant Ethical References in Technology:Thus, the correct answer is

  B. Skewed sample , as the AI model was trained on biased historical data, leading to discrimination.

• Question 6:

  Which act prohibits U.S. government agencies from concealing the existence of personal data record-keeping systems?

  A. Electronic Communications Privacy Act
  B. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
  C. Privacy Act
  D. Right to Financial Privacy Act
  B. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

  ---

  Explanation

  Contingent workers (e.g., contractors, freelancers, or temporary employees) can provide short-term solutions for resource gaps, but they come with disadvantages. Why is minimal internal process understanding a disadvantage?

  Contingent workers do not have long-term exposure to the company's workflows, culture, or business strategies.

  Training contingent workers on company-specific processes takes time and effort, reducing initial productivity.

  They may not be as committed to organizational goals as full-time employees.

  A. Any skills gained during employment will be lost to the company at the project's completion. - While true, companies can retain knowledge through documentation and collaboration.

  C. The company may require the same worker for other projects. - This is not a disadvantage; it could be a benefit if the worker is rehired.

  D. The company does not have to provide benefits throughout the project's lifecycle. - This is an advantage, not a disadvantage.

  Why Not the Other Options - Thus, the correct answer is

  B. Internal business process understanding will be minimal given the temporary nature of the workers.

  Kalleberg, A. L. (2000). Nonstandard Employment Relations: Part-time, Temporary, and Contract Work.

  Harvard Business Review (2022). Managing Contingent Workers Effectively.

• Question 7:

  I A recruiter for a cybersecurity company is screening candidates for an engineering role by researching the candidates' public social media profiles. The recruiter notes content on one candidate's profile that automatically allows the recruiter

  to dismiss the candidate.

  Which type of content allows the recruiter to legally take this action?

  A. Posts indicating pregnancy
  B. Self-identified as a gender other than what the recruiter wants
  C. Photos suggesting actual age is older than indicated on the resume
  D. Photos depicting use of drugs
  D. Photos depicting use of drugs

  ---

  Explanation

  Employers have the right to reject candidates based on public social media content that suggests illegal activity or violates company policies. Why is drug use a valid reason for dismissal?

  Illegal drug use may violate company policies and raise concerns about reliability, safety, and professionalism.

  Many industries, especially cybersecurity and government-related jobs, require security clearances, which prohibit drug use.

  U.S.employment laws allow employers to consider illegal drug use when making hiring decisions, provided they do not discriminate based on protected characteristics.

  A.Posts indicating pregnancy ?Pregnancy is a protected characteristic under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Pregnancy Discrimination Act) and cannot be used to reject a candidate.

  B.Self-identified gender ?Gender identity is protected under anti-discrimination laws (e.g., U.S. EEOC guidelines).

  C.Age discrepancy in photos ?Employers must avoid age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA).

  Why Not the Other Options?Thus, the correct answer is

  D. Photos depicting use of drugs, as it may legally justify disqualification based on company policies and workplace safety requirements.

  U.S.Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidelines.

  U.S.Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964).

  Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (1967).

• Question 8:

  A credit reporting agency collects personally identifiable information (Pll) from customers. The agency appoints a data protection officer (DPO), who is responsible for overseeing the agency's data protection strategy and enforcing data

  compliance requirements.

  Which legislation should the DPO use as the basis for governing the collection and disclosure of Pll?

  A. Securities Exchange Act
  B. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX)
  C. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act(GLBA)
  D. Bank Secrecy Act
  C. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act(GLBA)

  ---

  Explanation

  The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) governs the collection, protection, and disclosure of personally identifiable financial information (PII) by financial institutions, including credit reporting agencies. Why GLBA applies to this case:

  Credit reporting agencies handle sensitive consumer financial data, making them subject to GLBA regulations.

  The Financial Privacy Rule under GLBA dictates how financial institutions must collect and disclose PII.

  The Safeguards Rule requires companies to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) to oversee data security practices.

  A. Securities Exchange Act ?Governs stock trading and financial disclosures, not PII protection.

  B. Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) ?Focuses on corporate financial reporting and accounting fraud, not data privacy.

  D. Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) ?Primarily deals with money laundering and financial crime detection, not consumer data protection.

  Why Not the Other Options?Thus, the correct answer is

  C. Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) as it regulates the collection and protection of financial PII.

  Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (1999), 15 U.S.C. Ё 6801-6809.

  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Guide on GLBA Compliance.

  Solove,

  D. J. (2020). The Privacy Law Fundamentals.

• Question 9:

  An organization collects data in aggregate format about its employees to improve workflow. Managers at the organization must ensure that the data collected is for business purposes only. Which data collection method should the organization implement?

  A. Electronic discovery
  B. Consumer profiling
  C. Workplace monitoring
  D. Advanced surveillance
  C. Workplace monitoring

  ---

  Explanation

  Workplace monitoring refers to the collection and analysis of employee data to improve workflow efficiency, productivity, and business operations. It involves tracking metrics such as work hours, system usage, and productivity patterns --all

  while ensuring the data is used strictly for business purposes.

  Workplace Privacy Ethics ?Ethical monitoring should balance business needs with employee privacy rights.

  Surveillance Ethics (Foucault, 1975) ?Excessive monitoring could violate employee autonomy , making ethical boundaries crucial.

  Corporate Governance and Employee Rights (ISO 27001, GDPR) ?Transparency and consent are required when monitoring employee data.

  Deontological Ethics (Kantian Ethics) ?Treats employees as ends rather than means , ensuring fair workplace practices.

  Relevant Ethical References in Technology:Thus,

  C. Workplace monitoring is the correct answer since the organization collects aggregate employee data to improve workflow.

• Question 10:

  Which action can IT leaders take to encourage ethical behavior in their organizational culture?

  A. Include traditional criteria in employee appraisals
  B. Offer optional training for employees
  C. Establish a chief executive officer (CEO) position
  D. Conduct social audits and communicate goals
  D. Conduct social audits and communicate goals

  ---

  Explanation

  IT leaders can encourage ethical behavior by conducting social audits to evaluate the organization's ethical performance and then communicating clear goals for improvement.

  A social audit is a structured evaluation of a company's ethical, social, and environmental impact , ensuring transparency and accountability. By sharing ethical goals , IT leaders create an organizational culture that values integrity and

  responsibility.

  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ?Ethical leadership requires accountability in areas like employee welfare, environmental impact, and digital ethics.

  Stakeholder Theory (Freeman, 1984) ?Ethical leadership involves transparency and engagement with employees, customers, and society.

  IEEE and ACM Ethical Guidelines ?Highlight the importance of corporate ethics policies and performance reviews.

  Ethical IT Governance (ITIL and ISO 26000) ?Emphasize corporate responsibility, ethical leadership, and transparency in IT decision-making.

  Relevant Ethical References in Technology:Thus, conducting social audits and communicating ethical goals is the most effective way to promote an ethical culture.