Data breaches are a problem plaguing the healthcare industry, which affects patients' private health information, patient care, and healthcare costs. Since federal law mandates the reporting of data breaches involving 500 or more patient records, some of the largest data breaches on record had occurred. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of criminal attacks on healthcare systems had risen 100%. Employees' increased use of personal, unsecured mobile devices and business associates (BA) access to protected health information (PHI) had fueled the rapid growth of data breaches amongst healthcare organizations. This research study explored the educational background of information technology (IT) leaders in healthcare organizations and analyzed whether or not IT leaders with an advanced degree in healthcare had more or less affected data breach records than IT leaders in healthcare who do not have advanced education in the healthcare domain. This retrospective causal-comparative study examined the relationship between IT leaders with an advanced degree in healthcare and those without an advanced degree in healthcare on number of affected data breach records for identifying one factor of effectiveness for combating the issues relating to violations of patient privacy data. The research study will have a theoretical significance in the healthcare field, as it may provide another characteristic in best practices for reducing data breaches, reducing the number of people affected, and protecting the private health information of the public. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]