Self-Reported Cybersecurity Competency Of Criminology Students In The Second District Of North Cotabato

Authors

  • Apri Dianne C. Lapis Author
  • John Earl T. Amang Author
  • Romelyn V. Pezana Author
  • Reynan G. Tarife Author
  • Jessa Mae Acuas Author
  • Rico O. Soledad, RCrim. Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.68354/742139

Keywords:

Self-Reported Cybersecurity Competency, Criminology Students, Digital Safety Practices, Cybercrime Prevention, Higher Education, Philippines

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of cyber threats, including identity theft, online fraud, and data breaches, highlights the need for cybersecurity education among criminology students, who are future professionals in crime prevention and digital investigations. However, limited evidence describes students’ cybersecurity competency and whether it varies across educational and technology-related factors.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the level of self-reported cybersecurity practices among incoming fourth-year criminology students and examine differences according to school, primary device used, and preferred social media platform.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-comparative design was employed among 298 incoming fourth-year criminology students with prior cybersecurity exposure from Central Mindanao Colleges, Colegio de Kidapawan, and Makilala Institute of Science and Technology in the Second District of North Cotabato, Philippines. Data were collected using an adapted self-report Cybersecurity Competency Scale. Descriptive statistics and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to analyze the data.

Results: Participants reported a very high level of self-reported cybersecurity practices (M = 4.38, SD = 0.75). No statistically significant differences were found according to school, primary device used, or preferred social media platform (all p > .05). However, subgroup sizes were highly unequal, and the findings were based solely on self-reported data.

Conclusions: The findings indicate high self-reported cybersecurity engagement among the selected criminology students, with no significant differences across the examined factors. Although interpreted through Protection Motivation Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model, these theoretical constructs were not directly measured. The findings support sustained, inclusive, and practice-oriented cybersecurity education. Future studies should incorporate objective, performance-based assessments and more balanced samples to determine whether self-reported competency corresponds with actual cybersecurity knowledge and skills.

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Published

2026-09-08

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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): Review of Studies on Criminology, Sociology, and Law

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Copyright (c) 2026 Apri Dianne C. Lapis, John Earl T. Amang, Romelyn V. Pezana, Reynan G. Tarife, Jessa Mae Acusas, Rico O. Soledad, RCrim. (Author)

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How to Cite

Lapis, A. D., Amang, J. E., Pezana, R., Tarife, R., Acusas, J. M., & Soledad, R. (2026). Self-Reported Cybersecurity Competency Of Criminology Students In The Second District Of North Cotabato. Review of Studies on Criminology, Sociology, and Law, 1(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.68354/742139