2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 20
Available Online: 21 August 2026
Author/s:
Perez-Napalit, Arcely
Holy Angel University, Philippines (anapalit@hau.edu.ph)
Abstract:
The growing demand for cybersecurity professionals highlights the need for academic programs to ensure that graduates possess competencies aligned with industry requirements. This study conducted a preliminary assessment of the On-the-Job Training (OJT) experiences of Cybersecurity graduates by examining their technical competencies, evaluating curriculum alignment with workplace demands, and identifying areas for curriculum enhancement. A descriptive survey was administered to eight graduates who completed their OJT in various organizations. Findings showed that most competency ratings were in the good to excellent range, indicating that the curriculum provided a strong foundation in areas such as ethical hacking, network security, server security, and cloud security. Respondents reported that many of the knowledge and skills acquired from their courses were applied during their internships. However, exposure to advanced industry tools, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and technical reporting revealed opportunities for further curriculum improvement. Differences in skill utilization were also influenced by the nature of assigned tasks and organizational policies within host companies. The findings suggest that the curriculum is generally aligned with workplace requirements but would benefit from continuous updates to address evolving cybersecurity technologies and industry practices.
Keywords: cybersecurity education, on-the-job training, technical competencies, curriculum enhancement, workforce readiness
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26380
Cite this article:
Perez-Napalit, A. (2026). A preliminary assessment of cybersecurity OJT experiences, technical competencies and curriculum alignment. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(20), 27-36. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26380