flowchart TD Start(["Considering an action
on a system"]):::startNode Legal{"1. Legal?
Written authorization,
this jurisdiction,
these systems,
this window?"}:::decisionNode StopLegal["STOP
Get authorization
before proceeding"]:::stopNode Ethical{"2. Ethical?
Even if legal, does this
harm someone the ACM
Code obligates me
to consider?"}:::decisionNode Revise["Revise the plan
reduce harm"]:::stopNode Forensic{"3. Forensic?
If this becomes evidence,
will my chain of
custody hold?"}:::decisionNode Capture["Capture / image
before acting"]:::warnNode Notify{"4. Notification?
Does this trigger HIPAA,
GLBA, GDPR, NIS2, or
state breach notice?"}:::decisionNode Alert["Alert Legal / Privacy,
start the clock"]:::warnNode Public{"5. Public Good?
Should I coordinate
disclosure or notify
CISA / CERT?"}:::decisionNode Coord["Open a coordination
channel"]:::contNode Proceed(["Proceed with the action"]):::contNode Start --> Legal Legal -->|No| StopLegal Legal -->|Yes| Ethical Ethical -->|No| Revise Revise --> Ethical Ethical -->|Yes| Forensic Forensic -->|No| Capture Capture --> Notify Forensic -->|Yes| Notify Notify -->|Yes| Alert Alert --> Public Notify -->|No| Public Public -->|Yes| Coord Coord --> Proceed Public -->|No| Proceed classDef startNode fill:#eceff1,stroke:#455a64,stroke-width:2px,color:#212529,font-size:14px classDef decisionNode fill:#1565c0,stroke:#0d47a1,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:14px classDef stopNode fill:#c62828,stroke:#7f0000,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:14px classDef warnNode fill:#ffa000,stroke:#e65100,stroke-width:2px,color:#212529,font-size:14px classDef contNode fill:#2e7d32,stroke:#1b5e20,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff,font-size:14px linkStyle default stroke:#90a4ae,stroke-width:2px,font-size:13px