47 Cybersecurity Engineer Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Cybersecurity Engineer interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view six answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
Behavioral
1. Can you recall a time your manager was unavailable when a situation arose that demanded an immediate resolution? How did you react?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
While this appears to be a question about leadership, it addresses your willingness to take the initiative. The interviewer is interested in this because it helps them determine your future growth potential. Organizations like to hire individuals who continually improve themselves and develop new skills, allowing them to advance within the company.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, emphasize your willingness to take the initiative rather than complain about the manager's absence. Explain why you felt the need to take action and describe how you did so to resolve the immediate situation and then review the issue and your actions with your manager. Be prepared to answer a follow-up question about what you would do differently next time.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Recently, my manager was away on vacation, and I was asked to fill in for them. A conflict arose between our team and another department that demanded an immediate resolution. The manager from the other department insisted we do what they wanted since our manager was not available. Knowing this was not the best solution, I presented an alternative and recommended that we discuss this with the senior leadership team to get their input. The other manager agreed. Working with senior leaders, we developed a compromise that resolved the conflict. When my manager returned from vacation, I briefed them on the incident, and they agreed I had acted appropriately."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
2. Tell me about a difficult decision you had to make in one of your previous roles.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer is looking for examples of your decision-making process and how you approach difficult challenges or situations. They want to learn more about how decisive you are and whether you are willing to make difficult choices. The interviewer hopes to see that you are willing to put the organization's interests ahead of your personal feelings.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When answering this question, choose a situation in which you made a decision involving a personal sacrifice or two equally undesirable outcomes. Explain the choice you made, your rationale, and the outcome. Then briefly discuss what, if anything, you would have done differently based on the outcome.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"During a recent downturn in business, I was required to reduce my staff. Every team member was well qualified and valuable to the organization, so choosing who to let go was difficult. After much consideration, I decided to dismiss one of the more experienced workers, knowing that they could easily find another job within the industry with my recommendation. This allowed me to develop one of the junior staffers, increasing their skills and making them more valuable to the organization. I would make the same decision if presented with this situation again."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
3. Can you give me an example of a time you led by example and describe what you did and how your team reacted?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers ask this question to prompt you to talk about your leadership style, hoping you will describe how you lead from the front by example rather than from the back by exercising your authority. They recognize that teams perform better when they believe in their leadership and are willing to follow their example. By asking this question, the interviewer can discern whether you will be an effective leader.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since this is a behavioral question, format your answer in the STAR framework by first describing a Situation and the Task you were required to complete. Then, describe how you Acted by demonstrating the behavior you needed the team to exhibit. Finally, discuss the outcome of the project or task and what your team learned from the example you set. Make sure you communicate how you led by example and how this motivated the team to accomplish the assigned task.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"In my most recent role, my team and I were tasked with implementing a new process. Since none of us had experience in this area, I researched the process and created a training curriculum. I presented this to the team, participating in the exercises which simulated the new process. Together, we debugged the process, created an implementation plan, and launched the process. By fully participating in each aspect of the project, I demonstrated to the team that I was willing to roll up my sleeves and work alongside them to make the project successful. They acknowledged this and expressed their willingness to replicate the process on future projects."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
4. Describe a situation where you needed to persuade someone about an idea or process.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will ask you this question because they are interested in learning about your communication and leadership skills and how you apply them to accomplish the tasks required in this role. Persuading other people about your ideas and suggestions is a valuable skill. Interviewers recognize that this will make you more effective in the job and reduce conflict between you and other team members.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
You can answer this question using the STAR format, describing how you seek to understand other people's points of view, acknowledging them, then offering them an alternative and the rationale behind it. You can then describe how you addressed any questions and concerns they had and developed a win-win scenario with a positive outcome.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"I take great pride in my ability to convince others of my ideas and suggestions. First, I solicit others' input, carefully listening to their ideas and acknowledging them. If their suggestions are appropriate, we move forward. However, if I believe we can improve on them, I state my ideas and recommendations and explain why I believe in them. I then answer any questions they may have and drive for a consensus in which all the parties are satisfied we are moving in the right direction."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
5. Please tell me about a time when something major didn't go according to plan at work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Responding to situations that don't go according to plan is a key characteristic that interviewers look for. They will ask you a question like this to determine how you react to unforeseen circumstances. This provides them an indication of your flexibility, responsiveness, and creativity.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since this is a behavioral question, you should utilize the 'STAR' response methodology. Make sure to stay positive, don't blame anyone else for the problem, and don't take full credit for the solution. Demonstrate how you worked with others to resolve the situation. As with any behavioral question, discuss the results you attained and possibly the lessons learned, especially if the outcome wasn't optimum.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"During a recent software update project, the versions of the software we ordered were not correct. We reviewed the purchase order and determined that the software had been ordered incorrectly. Since the software seals had been broken, we couldn't return the product, nor was the manufacturer likely to agree to correct this because it was our error. Even though this involved additional expense, my manager and I agreed it would be quicker to order the correct versions of the software so we could proceed with the upgrade. We did this and were able to install the software without any major delay in the project. This taught us to carefully review the software versions we had and needed before ordering new products or performing any upgrades."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
6. Can you give me an example of when you had to work with someone difficult to get along with? How did you handle the situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is a behavioral question to which the interviewer expects a 'STAR' formatted answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Interviewers ask behavioral questions to determine how you react to challenging situations in the workplace. Your description of how you handled this in a previous job will indicate what you will do if hired by the organization. Behavioral questions typically involve challenges, relationships, conflict, or communication errors.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is a behavioral question to which the interviewer expects a 'STAR' formatted answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Interviewers ask behavioral questions to determine how you react to challenging situations in the workplace. Your description of how you handled this in a previous job will indicate what you will do if hired by the organization. Behavioral questions typically involve challenges, relationships, conflict, or communication errors.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"In one of my recent jobs, I was partnered with another employee who was not open to new ideas and suggestions. Their attitude was 'my way or the highway.' We were tasked to develop a new process for using advanced encryption techniques more effectively. I asked for their ideas and noted that while they were good, it would be more efficient to modify them slightly. We developed a consensus about the new process by accepting their initial suggestions and only recommending minor modifications. We recommended this to management, and the new process was implemented. This resulted in significant savings for the company and made it easier for my colleague and me to work together on future projects."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
7. Can you recall a time you were assigned a task that wasn't a part of your job description? How did you handle this, and what was the outcome?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Some employees are reluctant to do anything that is not part of their job description. However, in today's fast-paced business environment, people are often asked to do extra work that may not have been part of their original assignment when they were hired. Interviewers seek to understand how you react when asked to do something not part of your normal job and determine how flexible you are.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
The best way to answer this is to start by stating that you are always open to pitching in wherever you can to help the company get the job done. You should also emphasize that you are open to learning new skills that will help both you and the company. Then describe an incident to illustrate this.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked for several small companies where the employees wore many hats. I enjoyed this experience because it allowed me to learn new skills as an information security manager outside of my profession. This helped me grow my portfolio of skills and contributed to the company's success. In one case, I was asked to attend a trade show to research new cybersecurity products from a technical perspective. Even though I had no experience in this area, I accepted the assignment with enthusiasm. Attending the show and interfacing with the suppliers taught me a great deal about how products are developed and marketed, which helped me evaluate new product features and make recommendations for adopting them to our management team."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
8. Please describe a situation where you needed to adapt a process, procedure, or technology differently from how you usually did things.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers are curious to learn how flexible and adaptable you are and if you are willing to learn and expand your knowledge. They know that the job you are being hired for will evolve, and you'll be required to learn new methodologies, processes, and procedures to continue to do the work effectively. They want to ensure that you are capable of this.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to the question, provide the interviewer with a brief description of a situation where you encountered a new challenge and how you addressed it by learning a new process or procedure or acquiring new skills. Describe how the way you reacted to this situation benefitted the company.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Recently, our company switched to a new random password generating system. I was required to explain this to our internal clients and help them set up their password management programs. Having never done this myself, I first had to learn the system to explain it to the staff. After doing this and gaining confidence in my knowledge, I put together a tutorial and presented it to the entire organization. They quickly adopted the new system, which reduced the number of unauthorized logins by 20% during the first year."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Behavioral
9. Can you describe a time you were asked to do something you had never done before? How did you react?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers will ask this question to determine how you react to new situations and your attitude toward learning new skills and procedures. Employers prefer employees who are willing to learn new skills and thereby contribute more to the organization's business objectives. Curiosity and continuous learning are traits interviewers look for.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Provide an example of a situation where you were asked to perform a new task. Explain how you readily accepted the job and gathered resources to complete the task. Then describe the results of your efforts and what you learned from the experience. Your answer should follow the 'STAR' response pattern: Situation, Task, Action, Results.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"In my most recent position, I was asked to lead a seminar on implementing cybersecurity practices for Mac systems. Even though I only had experience with Windows and Linux systems, and I'd never done this, I accepted the assignment and researched the topic. I put together a presentation using the information I collected and presented it to my entire department. The seminar was a success, and I learned that I could accomplish any task assigned to me with a little effort and the right resources."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
10. Why did you choose to interview with our organization rather than with others in our industry?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
You should anticipate being asked this question in every interview. Employers want to know why you chose their specific company to interview with. They prefer to hire employers who are passionate about their work and the organization. This question is also meant to determine how much research you have done about the company.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
If you expect this question during every interview, you can be prepared to answer it based on your research of the company before the interview. Mention something about the company's recent achievements, business prospects, or work culture. You may also want to refer to the company's challenges and how you can help them address these based on your skills and experience.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"One of the reasons I chose to interview with your organization is that my research indicated you are a leader in this field. The products and services you provide have been developed through the innovation and creativity of your staff. As the industry pivots towards new technologies, I believe I can help you maintain this leadership position utilizing my information security skills and experience."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
11. When was the last occasion you asked for direct feedback from your manager?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer will ask this question to separate you from most applicants. This is because many professionals don't ever seek feedback from their supervisors. Interviewers prefer candidates who constantly seek feedback so they can immediately correct any deficiencies they may have or incorrect actions they are taking. The best professionals know that the only way to get better news is to engage their colleagues for feedback and suggestions.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Requesting feedback from the people you work with demonstrates your desire to improve. Most employees avoid receiving feedback, fearing that it will be negative. By actively seeking it, you demonstrate courage, a willingness to be open to criticism, and the initiative to improve. Describe a time you felt you didn't complete a task properly and sought feedback to correct your process so you'd do better next time.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"I have found that one of the best ways to improve myself is to continually seek feedback from the people I work with. Both my colleagues and my management team have perspectives that I don't and can spot weaknesses that I need to work on to improve. Therefore, I am constantly asking them about my performance. I also ask them for any suggestions they have and resources I can use to improve my skills and expertise. I do this continuously, and it has been very valuable."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
12. What's a misconception your coworkers have about you, and why do you believe they feel this way?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This may be a trick question to get you to identify a weakness you have or are perceived to have. Interviewers will ask this to uncover a weakness or determine how self-aware you are. They also want to know if you'll answer this question positively or say something negative about yourself or your coworkers.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since the interviewer is asking you to reveal either a real weakness or behavior that appears to be a weakness, it may be hard to answer this question. Your answer should either point out a minor flaw that you are working to correct or discuss a strength your coworkers and managers are unaware of. In any case, remain positive when answering this question.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"My coworkers sometimes mentioned that I'm not very social. This is because I tend to focus on the job more than socializing while at work. They don't see that when I'm not working, I spend a lot of time enjoying the company of my friends who share my interests in the outdoors."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
13. Tell me about an aspect of your profession that makes you the most satisfied, energized, and productive at work.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question is meant to uncover your passion and what you enjoy doing. Interviewers know that people do their best work when they are passionate about what they do. They will ask questions like this to discover if you are truly passionate about this job or just doing it for the money.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is a great question to ask yourself before beginning your job search. It will help you target specific jobs that you enjoy doing and will therefore be good at. This will enable you to answer this question when asked by an interviewer by simply describing a task you enjoyed working on related to the job you are applying for.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"One of my favorite parts about this profession is collaborating with organization members from other departments. I enjoy working together to determine how to achieve the business's objectives. Participating as a member of a creative team is one of the best aspects of this job."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
14. Can you tell me what your home network consists of?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer may ask you several different discovery questions to learn more about your background beyond what they read in your resume when beginning an interview. These questions provide them with the information they can use throughout the interview. These questions also begin the conversation, creating a dialogue between you and the interviewer. Another goal of these questions is to relax you, so the interviewer gets a clearer picture of how you respond when not feeling stressed because of the interview.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since discovery questions are general, there is no way to prepare for these. The best way to respond is frankly and honestly. Keep in mind that the information you provide the interviewer may be used for additional questions throughout the interview. This allows you to guide the interviewer toward areas you're comfortable talking about.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"My home network is quite basic. It consists of a cable modem, a Wi-Fi router, and two PCs hardwired to the router. There are also several wireless devices connected to the network, including a laptop, several cell phones, an Amazon Fire Stick, and several devices for the home security system. I require two-step authentication to access the wireless network."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
15. What is a professional achievement that you are proud of?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
If your resume or CV is well written, it will detail some of your significant achievements and the contributions you've made to your previous employers. The interviewer asks this question to determine which of these you're most proud of and why. They hope to learn about your efforts to achieve the objective and how they contributed to your organization's success or business objectives.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, try to have an achievement in mind that will demonstrate how you can help the interviewer's organization achieve one of its business objectives or goals. Employers hire individuals to help them make money, save money, or save time. Demonstrating how you can do this with all your answers during an interview will help convince the interviewer that you are the right person for this job.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"One of my professional achievements that I am most proud of is helping my current employer reduce the number of cyber-attacks the experience by 50%. I did this by setting up strong security measures such as firewalls, strong user authentication, network monitoring tools, and educating the employees about cyber security. Once the hackers realized the strength of our security measures, they stopped trying to infiltrate our network and turned their attention to organizations with more vulnerabilities."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
16. What's the most interesting thing about you that I didn't see on your resume?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers like to ask this question to learn more about your personality and determine whether you will fit into their corporate environment. By inviting you to the interview, they've already indicated that you have the skills and qualifications necessary to perform this job. The purpose of the interview is to confirm this and see how well you will fit into their culture.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
You can answer this question by giving the interviewer information about yourself that is not controversial and will support your qualifications for the position. Examples may be musical talent, an interesting hobby, or an unusual experience you had. Your research about the organization and its culture will help you prepare for this question.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"One thing that is not on my resume is my volunteer work with disadvantaged youth. I enjoy mentoring young people and helping them develop skills they can use to further their education, prepare for a profession, and navigate their way through life. I enjoy the satisfaction I get from seeing them reach their full potential. This experience has made me more comfortable seeking mentoring and development advice from my management team."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Discovery
17. What motivated you to make a move from your current role?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers will ask this, knowing it is a potential 'trick' question that may prompt you to speak poorly of your current job, organization, or supervisor. They know that if you do this in your current situation, you will likely do it if you elect to leave their organization. Interviewers seek to hire candidates who are positive and move toward new opportunities rather than away from bad ones.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When answering questions like this, be positive and explain that you are moving towards something new, not away from something old. Discuss your desire to be challenged and the rewards you will get by helping a new organization achieve its objectives. Also, talk about the opportunity to improve yourself by acquiring new skills and experiences in a new position.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"While I enjoy the work I do and the organization I am associated with, I'm always looking for new challenges and opportunities to develop myself. While researching this job, I discovered that your organization would benefit from my experience, skills, and expertise to address your current challenges. I also noted that this role would expose me to opportunities to learn new skills, develop new relationships, and improve my overall qualifications. Finally, this job represents an increase in responsibility which I am always seeking."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
18. What are some ways to prevent identity theft that you recommend?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Although identity theft is a topic that extends beyond the responsibilities of a cybersecurity engineer, you're likely to be asked about this during the interview. Since many of the techniques used to prevent identity theft are also used to secure an organization's data information assets, the interviewer will be curious as to how you go about doing this. They may even personalize this question and ask how you protect your identity and those of your family.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is an example of an operational question. Rather than asking you to define identity theft, it assumes that you are familiar with this concept. The question specifically asks you to describe methods used to prevent identity theft. Like technical questions, your answers to operational questions should be brief and to the point. You should anticipate follow-up questions from the interviewer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"There are several ways that you can prevent identity theft. The first and simplest is to require strong and unique passwords that are frequently updated. You should also establish policies that prevent users from sharing their passwords, accessing websites that are not related to their job, transmitting sensitive company or personal data across the network, and using unauthorized applications. Systems administrators should make sure that software applications are up to date and that network security procedures are maintained."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
19. Walk me through the process you use to reset a password-protected BIOS configuration
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During an interview, you will be asked about many different scenarios which may occur once you are hired. Interviewers use these questions to ensure that you will be able to perform the job to the company's specifications and address any issues which occur. While they cannot guarantee that you're capable of doing this, they can screen out candidates who are not experienced enough to do this job. These questions also help the interviewer determine the depth of your knowledge and experience and decide if you will need any additional training once you are hired.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When asked to walk the interviewer through the process you use to perform a task, first stop, and break down the operation into individual steps. Then carefully describe each step in simple, easy-to-understand language. Pause between each step you describe to give the interviewer a chance to ask a clarifying or follow-up question. You may even want to ask a question of the interview at the end of your response to ensure that you provided them with the information they were seeking.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Since BIOS is a pre-boot system, it has its own storage mechanism for settings and preferences. It typically cannot be reprogrammed, especially if it is password-protected. One way to reset the password and reconfigure the BIOS is by removing the CMOS battery. This will cause the memory used to store the settings to lose its power supply and settings. The BIOS can then be reprogrammed in a new password established."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
20. Describe for me the steps you take to secure a server.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During an interview, the interviewer wants to ensure that you are capable of performing the work required by the position. They will often ask you to walk them through a process you use to perform a specific task. They want to understand that you know the steps required and can complete the task effectively and efficiently. They may also be interested to see if your process is similar to the one currently used by their cyber security team.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When preparing for an interview, carefully read the job posting to understand the position's requirements. This may give you a preview of the types of questions you will be asked during the interview. You may want to contact one of the company's current or former cyber security engineers to discuss the processes they use. This will help you anticipate the questions you will be asked and be prepared with the answers.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"The Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol is used for data encryption and decryption to protect data from unauthorized interception. I employ this technology to secure the servers on the company's networks. The specific steps I take to manage SSL to secure a network are: Making sure I have a secure password for root and administrator users, adding administrators who can help secure the system while removing expired or defunct administrator accounts, limiting remote access by admin accounts, and configuring firewalls to manage remote access."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
21. Can you walk me through the steps used to set up a firewall?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Often, interviewers will ask you about the steps you use to perform a specific task. This not only confirms your ability to do the work but also provides them an indication of how organized you are as well as your communication skills. These soft skills are just as important as your technical skills to the interviewer. They help the interviewer understand how you perform in this role and collaborate with other members of the cybersecurity team and people from other parts of the organization with whom you will be interacting.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is an operational question. When the interviewer asks an operational question, they seek to understand how you go about doing your job. The best way to respond to an operational question is to break the process into individual steps and then walk the interviewer through these. As with technical questions, keep your answers brief and to the point. You should also anticipate follow-up questions.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"The steps I use to set up a firewall begin with connecting the firewall device to the network and setting up a unique username and password. Then, I disable the remote administration feature to prevent hackers from gaining control of the firewall. The next step is to configure the port forwarding so applications that use this feature will perform properly. Then, I configure the DHCP server to remove any conflicts. Next, I enable logging, which provides me the ability to better manage the firewall. Finally, I configure the policies so the firewall functions as I intend it to."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
22. How frequently do you recommend performing patch management?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Managing software patches is a key responsibility of both systems engineers and cybersecurity engineers. Manufacturers release software patches to correct bugs and protect their products against cyber-attacks. Interviewers want to understand your plan for managing patches for two reasons. The first is they want to make sure you keep the software up to date and secure. The second reason is that they understand that patching software can be disruptive and result in system downtime. They expect you to strike a balance between updating the software and ensuring that the system is available to the users who need it.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When describing your software patch management strategy, be sure to communicate to the interviewer that you understand the need to balance software updates with system availability. The strategies you describe should demonstrate the importance of patch management and the ability to accomplish this with minimal system downtime or disruption to the users. This is especially important if you are interviewing with other department heads whose main concern is system availability.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"While patch management should be done as soon as it is released, it should be done with minimal disruption and system downtime. When a new patch is released, it should be applied to all affected systems as soon as possible. However, updating the systems should not be done when the users need them. Unless the patch is critical and will prevent an imminent cyber-attack, I schedule the software update for times when the systems are not being used. These can include early in the morning, weekends, or holidays. I sometimes delay patching the software until a scheduled shutdown or long weekend."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
23. How is traceroute used in the practice of cybersecurity?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As the interview progresses, the difficulty of the questions being asked will increase. Interviewers typically start with easy questions used to explore your background and then progress to more challenging ones to see how in-depth your knowledge and experience really are. You should be encouraged by this because it indicates they're gaining confidence in your capabilities and are willing to test them.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This hybrid technical and operational question asks you how a technical concept is used to perform a task in the role for which you are interviewing. It is possible that the interviewer may not be familiar with the technical concept, so begin your answer by defining it. You then discuss how the concept is used and what functions it performs.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Traceroute is a tool used by cybersecurity professionals to determine the path a packet follows across the network. This identifies each point or network device a packet passes through. It is used to determine why a packet may not be reaching its intended destination and whether this is related to a cybersecurity issue."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Operational
24. How is a three-way handshake used to secure network communications?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
During an interview for a cybersecurity engineer's role, you'll be asked many technical and operational questions. Interviewers will also use hybrid versions of these, which contain elements of both technical and operational questions. They do this to ensure that you are familiar with the terms, methodologies, processes, and procedures they are asking about and know how to implement these in your role as a cybersecurity engineer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is an example of a hybrid technical and operational question. The question contains elements of a specific technology used for this position, as well as how you employ the technology in your daily work. Hybrid questions are answered in the same manner as technical and operational questions. Keep your answer brief and to the point, address the interviewer's question directly, and be prepared for follow-up questions from the interviewer in case they want to explore the topic in more detail.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"A three-way handshake is a technique used to create a connection between a host and a client across the network. It is called a three-way handshake because it requires three steps. It starts with the client sending a synchronized packet to the server to determine if the server is functioning and has open ports. Next, the server will respond to determine if the client has open ports. Finally, the client acknowledges the server's request and responds, confirming that a communication channel has been established."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
25. What is Cryptography, and what are some common practices used in this discipline?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is a general question that the interviewer will likely use to start the interview, get you talking, and collect some information that they might use throughout the interview. This provides you the opportunity to direct the interview towards an area that you are most familiar with and comfortable discussing.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, keep your answer brief and to the point. Simply define what cryptography is and provide some examples of how it is used in your role as a cybersecurity engineer. You should be prepared for a follow-up question in case the interviewer wants to explore this topic in more detail.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Cryptography is the practice of ensuring that data transmitted across the network is secure. Threats to the security of the data can come from both internal and external sources. Common practices used to secure data all involve encryption of the information. The sender encrypts the data, which is then decrypted by the authorized recipient, using both off-the-shelf and customized software tools."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
26. Can you explain what an XSS attack is and how to prevent it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers are likely to ask you about specific types of cybersecurity attacks during the interview. The rationale behind this is that the organization may have recently encountered one of these attacks, or the type of attack has been prevalent in the news, and they are anticipating it occurring to them. The interviewer wants to ensure that you can prevent these types of attacks or are at least familiar enough with them to respond in a timely manner.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
As a qualified cybersecurity engineer, you should be able to describe the different types of attacks hackers use as well as your strategy to prevent or respond to them. Suppose you are asked about an attack that you're not familiar with. In that case, the best strategy is to admit this and then describe to the interviewer how you would go about learning more about the attack and the appropriate countermeasures. The worst thing you can do is make up an answer or try to bluff your way through the interview. Interviewers will not only recognize this, but if you are eventually hired and unable to perform the job, it will reflect badly on both you and the interviewer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"An XSS attack uses cross-site scripting to enable hackers to inject malicious client-side scripts into web pages. This allows hackers to hijack sessions, steal cookies, execute code remotely, or crash the system. Some of the countermeasures used to combat XSS attacks include validating or sanitizing user inputs, using specially encoded characters, and using services and tools designed to prevent XSS attacks, such as an XSS HTML filter."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
27. What is an ARP, and how does it work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Cybersecurity professionals use many acronyms when discussing the work they do. Acronyms make it easier to communicate with other cybersecurity professionals and help to define complex terms in easy-to-understand language. You are likely to be frequently asked about acronyms during an interview. This will be more common if the interviewer is part of the organization's cybersecurity organization.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to a question about an acronym, the first step is defining the acronym and discussing its use. You can then provide examples of its use and the benefits it brings to the practice of cybersecurity. Avoid using additional acronyms in your response and gauge your language to the appropriate technical background of the person with whom you are interviewing.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"ARP stands for Address Resolution Protocol, which is a protocol for mapping an Internet Protocol address to a physical machine address recognized in the local network. This helps to manage and optimize network traffic. When an incoming packet is destined for a host machine on a local area network, it arrives at a gateway. The gateway asks the ARP program to find a physical host or MAC address that matches the IP address. This information is stored in the ARP cache. Once the address is identified, the packet is converted to the correct length and format and sent to the appropriate device."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
28. Can you list some of the more common types of cyberattacks?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Cybersecurity attacks have become more prevalent as organizations grow, and their information can be exploited for nefarious purposes. Hackers are continually developing new methods to access an organization's critical information. Cybersecurity engineers need to constantly refresh their knowledge of the newly developed threats and how to combat them. Interviewers will ask you about the methodologies used by bad actors to determine your ability to identify and prevent intrusions that use newly developed attack strategies.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
As a cybersecurity engineer, you are responsible for staying up to date on the more recent developments in cyber intrusions. You should constantly educate yourself about these and develop methodologies to thwart them. This will help you convince the interviewer that you can secure the organization's information and respond quickly to newly developed threats.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Common cyberattacks that allow hackers to compromise your systems and steal your proprietary data include malware, phishing, denial of service, password algorithms, man in the middle attacks, malvertising schemes, and rogue software. There are many specific types of attacks that fall into these and other categories. I work hard to maintain my knowledge of these and stay up to date on the most recently developed attacks used by cyber thieves."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
29. What are the differences between HIDS and NIDS?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are many types of intrusion detection systems available to cybersecurity engineers. The interviewer will ask you about these to determine which of these you use. They are interested in your experience in this area as well as whether you use intrusion detection systems similar to what their organization employees.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When asked to describe the differences between two similar concepts, the best way to respond is to first define each of the concepts. You can then discuss the differences and similarities between them. The language you use when responding to this question will depend on the technical background of the interviewer. If you are being interviewed by your prospective manager or another cyber security engineer from the organization, you can use detailed technical terms. If the interviewer is from the HR department or another part of the organization, keep your language simple and avoid acronyms or specific technical terms they may not be familiar with.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"HIDS is a host-based intrusion detection system while NIDS resides in the network. Both of these types of intrusion detection systems work to detect network intrusions. The key difference is that the HIDS is set up on a specific device and only monitors the traffic of that device for suspicious system activities. NIDS is set up on a network and monitors traffic on all the devices on the network."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
30. What are some of the response codes received from a web application?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Cyber security engineers need to be familiar with the response codes received from web applications to quickly interpret them and correct the issue they indicate. Interviewers may ask you about several response codes to ensure that you have worked with these in the past and know what to do when they occur. This will convince them that you're qualified for this role.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When preparing for an interview, you should review the various error messages that you deal with daily. Interviewers don't expect you to know every single error code, just the more common and serious ones. If they ask you about a code you are unfamiliar with, the best response is to state that while you are familiar with most of the codes, you keep a reference guide close by that you can refer to it for codes received that you are not familiar with.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Some of the more common web application response code categories include;
1xx - Informational responses
2xx - Success
3xx - Redirection
4xx - Client-side error
5xx - Server-side error"
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
31. Please explain the difference between encryption and hashing.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
An interviewer will ask you this question to determine your knowledge of how to manage security within an organization's network. Interviewers use technical and operational questions to determine how you do your job and whether you are qualified for the position. You should anticipate many questions asking about specific topics about cyber security practice during an interview. Since hashing and encryption are very similar, the interviewer also wants to ensure you know the differences between these two practices.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to questions related to how you do this job, the best approach is to accurately describe the topic about which you are asked using non-technical, easy-to-understand language. You can provide examples of how you used this concept in your past positions and describe your results. Keep your answer brief and to the point, and anticipate a follow-up question from the interviewer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Encryption and Hashing are similar techniques used to secure data by converting readable data into an unreadable format. The difference is that the encrypted data can be converted back to original data using decryption. Data that has been hashed cannot be converted back to original data."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
32. What is phishing, and what steps can be taken to prevent it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Phishing is one of the more common types of cyber-attacks hackers use to gain intrusion into a network. As an experienced cybersecurity engineer, you should be familiar with phishing, able to describe it and discuss how you go about preventing it. Interviewers are likely to ask you about many different types of cyber-attacks used by hackers and the methodologies you use to counter them.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since this is a hybrid technical and operational question, your answer should begin by defining phishing and then describing the countermeasures you use to prevent it. Keep your answer brief and to the point, and use simple, easy-to-understand language. As with any technical or operational question, be prepared for a follow-up question.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Phishing is a type of cyberattack in which a hacker disguises themselves as a trustworthy user and attempts to obtain proprietary information using a fraudulent email or instant message request. The best way to prevent phishing attacks is to educate the users about these and provide them with a set of best practices they can use when accessing the internet. These include not entering sensitive information on the web pages they are unfamiliar with and verifying a user's identity or a website's security. Cybersecurity professionals can prevent phishing attacks by using firewalls and antivirus software."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
33. What is a MITM attack, and what are some techniques you can use to prevent it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Man in the middle, or MITM, attacks are one of the many ways hackers try to infiltrate a company's data information infrastructure. During an interview for a cybersecurity engineer's position, you will be asked about different ways the bad guys try to steal or corrupt an organization's information or data. Interviewers anticipate that you will be able to answer these types of questions easily. It is especially important that you are familiar with the most recent types of attacks hackers are using.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This technical question is asking you to define a specific type of network attack. As a cybersecurity professional, you should be familiar with the different types of attacks hackers use to maliciously access and disrupt a network. In addition to being familiar with the types of attacks, you should describe methodologies used to prevent or remediate the attacks when they occur.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"A MITM, or man in the middle attack, is a hack in which malicious individuals place themselves between two authorized users. They intend to corrupt the network and steal information being exchanged between the users. When the hacker successfully joins the conversation, they impersonate one or both users. They then intercept the information being exchanged or direct the users to provide additional data. MITM attacks can be prevented using standard cybersecurity practices, including VPNs, strong encryption, intrusion detection systems, and public-key authentication."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
34. What are the differences between black hat, white hat, and grey hat hackers?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The term 'hacker' normally has negative connotations. However, this is not always the case. There are constructive uses for hacking that help cybersecurity engineers and systems administrators secure their networks and ensure that malicious attacks can be prevented. This question asks you to define different hacking types, noting which ones are beneficial and which ones are malicious.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to this question, first start by defining each type of hacking. Briefly discuss how these are used in your role as a cybersecurity engineer. You can finish your answer by either stating a preference for which of these you use to test the vulnerabilities of a network or providing examples of how you have used these in your past positions.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"There are distinct differences between the different types of hackers. Black hat hackers are malicious individuals who are trying to access the network without proper authorization. They intend to corrupt the network or steal information. White hat hackers are typically systems administrators who use hacking techniques to test the network's security and identify any vulnerabilities. Gray hat hackers are a combination of these two. They act without the knowledge or authorization of the systems administrators. However, when they identify a vulnerability, they report it to the systems administrators to be addressed."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
35. What is a VPN, and how is it used to secure a network?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
VPNs are one of the many tools cybersecurity engineers use to protect an organization's data information assets. Interviewers expect you to be intimately familiar with VPNs and be able to discuss their use. They also expect you to understand some of their vulnerabilities and how to correct them.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is a standard format for a technical question during an interview. It first asks you to define a concept used in your profession and then discuss how it is used. During an interview, you should pay special attention to how questions are asked. This will enable you to properly answer the question and each of its parts. Make sure you listen attentively to the entire question before you begin to formulate your answer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"A VPN, which stands for virtual private network, is a technique used to secure the network and create an encrypted connection between clients and servers. This can be done using either software or hardware. The VPN acts as an intermediary between the client and the server. The client's data is first sent to the VPN, where it is encrypted, and all the client information is masked. The data is then sent to the server. When the server responds, the process is repeated but in reverse."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
36. Describe the OSI model and each of its layers.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The OSI model is one of the more fundamental concepts used in the field of cybersecurity. You're likely to be asked this question early in the interview due to its simplicity. Interviewers may use this question to start the conversation and get an early indication of your communication skills. Even though the question is easy to answer, make sure you do this thoroughly and completely, and be prepared for follow-up questions.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This question is easy to identify as a technical question since it asks you to describe a concept used in this role. As a reminder, technical questions are best answered briefly and to the point. This will encourage the interviewer to ask follow-up questions if they need more information and will also provide you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and qualifications for the position.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"The OSI model is a reference model which defines how applications communicate across the network. This provides software and application developers with the parameters they need to use to ensure that their applications work effectively with others on the network. There are six layers within the OSI model. They include the physical layer, the data link layer, the network layer, the transport layer, the session layer, and finally, the presentation layer."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
37. Please define port scanning and describe some of the common techniques used when performing it.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Port scanning is an advanced topic in the field of cybersecurity. Only experienced cybersecurity engineers will be familiar with this topic and able to discuss it. Interviewers understand this and will use a question like this to separate marginally qualified engineers from well-qualified ones. Depending on the job opening they are hiring for, they may either prefer somebody who has more experience and can begin work immediately or someone who is just starting in the field and is open to training and development.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Technical questions can come in a variety of different formats. A common one is to ask you to define a concept and describe how it is used in the job for which you are interviewing. Your response should start with the definition followed by the description of how it is used. You should also provide at least one example to demonstrate your familiarity with the concept in practice and your experience using it.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Port scanning is the technique used to identify open ports on a host within the network. Administrators use it to verify that their security policies are effective. Hackers also use this to try to penetrate the network. Techniques used to conduct port scanning include TCP connect, TCP half-open, ping scan, UDP, and stealth scanning."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
38. Can you describe what a brute force attack is and steps you can take to prevent it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Brute force attacks are one of the more common tools used by hackers to penetrate an organization's data infrastructure and either corrupt the information or steal its data. As a cybersecurity engineer, you should be well versed in this topic and able to describe what methods you use to prevent brute force attacks. Interviewers expect candidates to easily answer this question.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This technical question is asking about a specific type of attack on a network. As a cybersecurity professional, you should be aware of the various types of attacks and the methods used to prevent them. The best way to prepare for these types of questions is to review the processes you use in your job and the requirements posted in the job description. Keep your answers brief and to the point, and anticipate that the interviewer will ask you a follow-up question or two.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"A brute force attack is a crude attempt to penetrate a network by trying a variety of different password permutations. These are typically conducted by automated systems that constantly submit requests for access until it is granted. The best way to counter this type of attack is to have strong password policies. These may include requiring long passwords, complex ones, and passwords that require a variety of different elements. You can also limit the number of requests available to a single user before a password must be reset or an administrator contacted to grant access to the network."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
39. How does data leakage occur, and how can it be prevented?
What You Need to Know
Data leakage is a critical issue faced by many businesses. It is one of the key responsibilities of the cyber security engineer to prevent this. Interviewers will ask you about the methodologies you use to prevent data leakage and remediate it if it occurs. They may be interested in whether you can bring new ideas about how to minimize the impact of this to their organization.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
It may be difficult to recognize this question as being technical. This is because it is asking about a process that occurs and how to prevent it. However, it is technical because you first need to define what data leakage is, discuss how it occurs, and then describe how to prevent it. Like most technical questions, you should keep your answer brief and to the point and anticipate a follow-up question.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Data leakage is the transmission of data from within the network to an external destination. This can be intentional or unintentional. The three types of data leakage include an accidental breach, an intentional breach, or a system hack. The best way to prevent data leakage is by using tools, software, and data protection techniques. Combined, these are known as a data leakage prevention strategy."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
40. What four common techniques are employed when using SSL protocol to secure a server?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This is an example of a follow-up question. During an interview for a cybersecurity position, you will likely be asked about SSL encryption. Once you provide an answer to the interviewer, they will follow up with a question like this. It requests additional information or asks you to expand upon the topic. When interviewers ask follow-up questions, it indicates that they have a specific interest in the topic. It might also pertain to something that they frequently use in their operations.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When answering a follow-up question, first stop and try to remember your answer to the original question. Then craft an answer that either supports the original question or aligns with it. Interviewers will ask follow-up questions either immediately after the original question or later in the interview. Questions asked later are used to calibrate your answers during the interview to ensure you are consistent.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"The four fundamental ways you can use SSL protocol to secure a server include ensuring that the root password is strong and only available to administrative users, requiring new users to receive authorization before they access the system, removing remote access for the root or administrative users, and setting up a strong firewall that includes SSL encryption. When used properly, these SSL encryption techniques will ensure that the network is secure and the data is protected."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
41. What is SSL encryption, and how does it differ from TLS encryption?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The two main encryption technologies used in the practice of cybersecurity are SSL and TLS. Knowing the differences between these and being able to describe them to the interviewer is a key qualification for this position. Interviewers are also interested in which forms of encryption you prefer and use in your work. They want to see if you use methodologies similar to the ones employed by their organization or can bring in fresh ideas about something they haven't tried yet.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Since this is a technical question, you should first define these concepts and then describe how they are used in the practice of cybersecurity. Providing examples will enhance your answer. You may also want to consider stating a preference for one of these. This will help the interviewer understand which one you will likely use if hired and whether it will be a new practice that can be integrated into their organization's operations.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"SSL and TLS are both encryption technologies. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer and is the industry standard when establishing encryption connections between a web server and a browser. TLS is like SSL, but it offers more security benefits. SSL is the default encryption technology since most web applications specify it. TLS can be used when the application requires a higher degree of security, such as financial transactions or applications that use an individual's personal information."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
42. What are the two main types of intrusion detection systems, and how do they differ from each other?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Intrusion detection systems are a critical tool used by cybersecurity engineers to protect the organization's digital assets and critical information. Interviewers expect you to be familiar with these and be able to describe what they are, how they are used, and the benefits they provide. As an experienced cyber security engineer, you should be familiar with this and able to answer this question easily.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When an interviewer asks a question like this, they assume that you are familiar with the concept and know about its various types. Like other technical questions, the best way to respond is first to define the concept and then discuss each type. You may finish your answer by detailing how the concept is used in the practice of cybersecurity.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"The two main types of intrusion detected systems are Host IDS and Network IDS. While they will both detect intrusions, the host IDS resides on a specific host device, and it will only monitor suspicious activities on that device. The network IDS monitors the entire network and all of the devices connected to it."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
43. What are the differences between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Cybersecurity engineers frequently test their measures to protect an organization's network and information. Interviewers will ask you about the tests you employ to determine your knowledge in this area. They are also interested in finding out if the tests you use are similar to the ones currently being used by their organization. This helps them determine how well you will fit into their team.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
Often during an interview, you will be asked to compare two different technical concepts. The best way to do this is to define each concept first and then discuss the differences between them. You may also want to provide the interviewer with examples of how the concepts are used when performing your job. Keeping your answer brief and to the point will encourage the interviewer to ask a follow-up question. This allows you to elaborate on your knowledge of the concepts and demonstrate your qualifications for the job.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"Vulnerability assessment is the process used to identify and address flaws in the network security protocol. Penetration testing is the act of attempting to access the network as an unauthorized user. Every network is assumed to have vulnerabilities. By first assessing these, and then testing your assumptions, you will be able to address the vulnerabilities and prevent unauthorized users from accessing the network."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
44. Please define a firewall and describe how it is used.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Every organization employs firewalls to protect its digital assets and proprietary information. As a cybersecurity engineer, you are expected to know a great deal about firewalls, how they are used, their vulnerabilities, and how to address these. You can anticipate being asked about firewalls in any interview you attend for this role.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This technical question addresses a single technology used in the field of cybersecurity. It asks you to first define the concept of a firewall and then describe how it is used. This is the typical format of most of the technical questions you will be asked during an interview. When responding to technical questions, keep your answers brief and to the point. The interviewer will ask you a follow-up question if they need additional information.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"A firewall is a technology that creates a barrier to the network which only authorized users can penetrate. Firewalls can be configured with various access levels and definitions of the types of information allowed to access the network. They can also monitor network traffic and provide information about how the network is being used."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
45. In the field of cybersecurity, what does 'CIA' stand for, and what are some of its characteristics?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Interviewers seek to understand your experience and knowledge of cybersecurity during an interview. They will ask you about many acronyms, terms, processes, and procedures used in this profession. They expect you to be able to discuss these in detail and provide examples of how they are used in your work as a cyber security engineer.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
During an interview for a cybersecurity engineer position, you can anticipate that most of the questions will be technical. The best way to prepare is to review the terminology, techniques, and processes you use in your job so that you are familiar with them. You should also carefully review the job posting and clearly understand the job requirements as defined by the hiring manager.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"CIA in the context of cybersecurity is an acronym that stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. It is a guideline for the policies and procedures used by the cybersecurity teams. Confidentiality dictates that only authorized users should have access to the information. Integrity requires that the information not be modified except when approved. Availability dictates that the information should be available and not impaired by network-related or other issues."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
46. What are IDS and IPS, and how do they differ?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This technical question asks you to define two common terms used in your profession and discuss their differences. The interviewer is only providing you with the acronym for each term. They expect you to first describe what the acronym stands for, briefly define the terms, and then discuss their differences.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
When responding to a technical question like this one, start by defining each of the terms you are asked about. Then follow up by describing their differences and similarities. You can finish your answer by talking about how these concepts are used in your profession. You may also want to provide an example of how you used them in prior positions.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"IDS stands for intrusion detection system, while IPS stands for intrusion prevention system. IDS only detects the intrusion and requires that the network administrator take steps to remediate it. IPS, on the other hand, detects the intrusion and also takes some predetermined actions to prevent it."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Technical
47. Can you explain the difference between Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The purpose of an interview is for the interviewer to confirm your qualifications and determine if you are well suited for this role. They ask technical, operational, behavioral, and general questions to learn more about your background and capabilities. This is an example of a technical question in which you are being asked to describe the difference between two similar but different terms used in this profession.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
How to Answer
This is an example of a technical question. Technical questions first ask you to define a concept or practice used in your profession, then describe how it is employed. When answering a technical question, you may want to include an example to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject and how you've used the concept or technology in your job.
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022
Answer Example
"While both symmetric and asymmetric encryption are technologies used to protect data during transmission, they differ in how they function. Symmetric encryption uses the same key at both ends of the transmission. Asymmetric encryption, on the other hand, uses one key when the data is transmitted and another to decrypt it once it is received. Symmetrical encryption is faster but more vulnerable than asymmetric encryption."
Written by William Swansen on June 2nd, 2022