How to Answer: What are the differences between encoding, encrypting, and hashing?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Information Security Analyst job interview.
10. What are the differences between encoding, encrypting, and hashing?
How to Answer
This is an example of a technical question. Technical questions ask you to define a term and then explain how it is used in your profession. As an information security analyst, you can anticipate that the majority of questions you will be asked during an interview will be operational or technical. Like operational questions, technical questions should be answered briefly and directly. You should anticipate follow-up questions any time you provide an answer.
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020
Answer Example
"All of these are methods used to protect data in motion. Encoding as a sequence of characters in a specific format that makes the transmission more efficient and safe. Encrypting as a more advanced form of encoding, and requires that the receiving device be able to decrypt the data using a key provided by the technician. Hashing uses algorithms that take arbitrary input and converts it to a fixed-length string, which is then transmitted over the internet."
Written by William Swansen on October 1st, 2020