A quantitative examination of perceived promotability of information security professionals with vendor-specific certifications versus vendor-neutral certifications

Human capital theory suggests the knowledge, skills, and abilities one obtains through experience, on-the-job training, or education enhances one's productivity. This research was based on human capital theory and promotability (i.e., upward mobility). The research offered in this dissertation shows what effect obtaining information security certifications, whether vendor-neutral or vendor-specific, has on one's perception of promotability. This study surveyed a sample population of information security managers from the North Carolina chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association to gauge their perceptions of promotability for information security professionals who possess either vendor-neutral or vendor-specific security certifications. The descriptive results leaned toward vendor-neutral information security professionals as more likely to be promoted, but hypothesis testing did not show an overall perception of promotability for either group. The research showed that information security certification has some influence in the promotion process.