The Impact of Hands-On Labs on Cybersecurity Skill Acquisition: A Quasi-Experimental Study
APA Citation
Nilsson, T. et al. (2024). The Impact of Hands-On Labs on Cybersecurity Skill Acquisition: A Quasi-Experimental Study. *Journal of Information Security and Applications*. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jisa.2024.103712
View original paper →What Did This Cybersecurity Research Find?
This cybersecurity training study compared skill outcomes between students who received lecture-only instruction and those who completed the same lectures plus 40 hours of hands-on lab work. Cybersecurity students in the lab-enhanced track scored 42% higher on practical skill assessments and showed 3x better retention of procedural knowledge at the six-month follow-up.
Key Findings
- 1Lab-enhanced students scored 42% higher on practical skill assessments
- 2Procedural knowledge retention was 3x better at six months for lab-enhanced students
- 3Declarative knowledge (facts, concepts) showed no significant difference between groups
- 4Minimum effective lab time was 20 hours; additional hours showed diminishing returns after 60
- 5Virtual labs produced equivalent outcomes to physical labs for 90% of measured skills
How Does This Apply to Cybersecurity Careers?
Learners can prioritize training programs with significant lab components. Training designers can quantify the value of lab time to justify the investment in lab infrastructure.
Who Should Read This?
Frequently Asked Questions
What did this cybersecurity research find?
This cybersecurity training study compared skill outcomes between students who received lecture-only instruction and those who completed the same lectures plus 40 hours of hands-on lab work. Cybersecurity students in the lab-enhanced track scored 42% higher on practical skill assessments and showed 3x better retention of procedural knowledge at the six-month follow-up.
How is this research relevant to cybersecurity careers?
Learners can prioritize training programs with significant lab components. Training designers can quantify the value of lab time to justify the investment in lab infrastructure.
Where was this cybersecurity research published?
This study was published in Journal of Information Security and Applications in 2024. The DOI is 10.1016/j.jisa.2024.103712. Access the original paper through the publisher link above.
Explore Related Cybersecurity Resources
Was this page helpful?
Get cybersecurity career insights delivered weekly
Join cybersecurity professionals receiving weekly intelligence on threats, job market trends, salary data, and career growth strategies.
Get Cybersecurity Career Intelligence
Weekly insights on threats, job trends, and career growth.
Unsubscribe anytime. More options