What's the most difficult part of being a Network Security Manager?
"As with any IT organization, one of my biggest challenges has been maintaining a secure network in the face of increasing threats and decreasing resources. We are constantly being asked to do more with less. My solution to this has been to develop strong relationships with our vendors and partners so that we get preferential treatment. Our group has been designated as a beta test site for many of the technology providers we work with. We get early access to some of the most recent technological developments. In return for our willingness to test the products in a production environment and provide feedback to the vendor, we are given free licenses and other benefits. This helps us to keep up with the evolving threat environment while staying within budget."
This question is meant to elicit comments about any hesitation you may have about the position. It provides you with an opportunity to redefine the term used by the interviewer and answer the question in a positive manner, such as using the word 'challenging' in place of difficult. State that a particular aspect of the job is challenging, but that you enjoy challenges and work extra hard to overcome them. Some of your greatest successes have come from challenges because they present opportunities for development and self-improvement.
"One of the most challenging aspects of my job is staffing. Network Security Engineers are in high demand. This has resulted in both a shortage of skilled people and the labor pool being populated with credentialed engineers whose training and skills don't match their credentials. I've overcome this by leveraging my network within the industry to identify viable candidates. I then put them through a rigorous interview process to verify their skills and experience. Finally, I've created a program within the organization which provides them with training opportunities and a path to promotions with more responsibility if they meet our strict performance metrics. This has resulted in us being able to both attract and retain the talent we need."
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