Date of Conferral

10-21-2025

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Business Administration

Advisor

Jodine Burchell

Abstract

The continued advancement of information technology, although extraordinary and innovative, may have a profoundly negative impact on the adequate protection of consumer information. Consumers and organizational stakeholders alike are increasingly concerned about the risk of data ending up in the hands of cybercriminals. Grounded in the routine activity theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry research project was to identify and explore the strategies information technology leaders use to protect customer data from security breaches. The participants were eight information technology leaders in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland area. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and public websites. Through thematic analysis, four major themes were identified: (a) employee training and consumer awareness, (b) development of security tools and capabilities, (c) cyber insurance and security compliance, and (d) securing financing and costs. One key recommendation is for information technology leaders to provide robust security training and knowledge management tools for both consumers and employees, as well as allocate a substantial budget for the development and implementation of security solutions. The implications for social change include the potential to lower the number of identity theft and security breaches, which can strengthen organizational security and help protect consumers’ sensitive information.

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