Interview Insights: What to Expect in Security Job Interviews

The struggle between cyber attackers and defenders is fiercer than ever in today’s digital world. The need for qualified cybersecurity specialists is still growing as businesses strengthen their defences against new threats. However, in an industry where everything is ever-changing, how do you prepare for a job interview?

Before we get started, let me just clarify that this blog isn’t your cheat sheet full of questions that will just emerge in your next interview. Nope, it’s more like your reliable companion, ready to give you an idea of what might come.

Now take your coffee, or tea, we don’t judge! Settle in, and let’s discuss some questions so that you don’t turn out to be this person.

Interview Essentials: Etiquette and Presentation Tips

Before we discuss the technical part, let’s review some stuff which is just as important. These details may seem small, but they can make or break the tone of your conversation.

1. It’s important to conduct yourself professionally at a job interview by dressing suitably and acting politely.
2. Try to dress in business casual, such as a well-fitting button-down shirt or blouse, dress slacks or skirt, and closed-toe shoes, to conform to the company’s culture and industry norms.
3. Maintaining a tidy hairstyle, clean nails, and a polished appearance are all important aspects of personal grooming.
4. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s) to demonstrate attention to detail and involvement and sit up straight with your shoulders back to project professionalism and confidence.
5. Do not slouch or fidget and pay attention to your body language and gestures.

Remember, the key to a successful interview is being well-prepared.

Success Strategies for Cybersecurity Interviews

1. Graceful Handling of Inexperienced Questions: Show that you can respond to interview questions politely even if you don’t have firsthand experience or subject matter expertise. To handle these circumstances with assurance, demonstrate your capacity for problem-solving and use effective communication techniques.
2. Managing Behavior-Based Inquiries: Recognize and react suitably to inquiries that are behavior-based, like “tell me about a time when…” Be ready to discuss pertinent instances and lessons learned because these questions are designed to evaluate prior experiences and problems.
3. Addressing Questions Based on Cybersecurity Scenarios: You should be able to recognize and appropriately respond to scenario-based questions that are relevant to cybersecurity and assess technical knowledge and decision-making abilities. Candidates must show that they are knowledgeable about real-world settings by answering questions that frequently pose hypothetical situations.
4. Knowledge and Awareness of the sector: Stay up to date on news and happenings in the sector, such as significant hacks and cybersecurity policies. It’s important to be informed because interviewers could ask about your acquaintance with recent incidents or regulatory changes.
5. Knowledge of Cybersecurity Frameworks and Regulatory Bodies: Be familiar with the fundamentals of cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory bodies, including GDPR, HIPAA, PCSS, NIST 853, and NIST 800–171. Being able to speak about these subjects at a high-level show's awareness and preparation for the role, even when expertise is not required.

Interview Q&A

Cybersecurity Attacks and Techniques:

1. Which cybersecurity attacks are more prevalent?

Answer:

i. Phishing Attacks: It involves sending fraudulent communications that appear to come from a reputable source, with the goal of tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information such as passwords and credit card numbers.

ii. Malware: Malware refers to malicious software designed to gain unauthorized access or cause damage to a computer system. This includes viruses, worms, Trojans, and ransomware.

iii. Denial-of-Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: DoS attacks flood a system, server, or network with traffic to overwhelm it and disrupt normal traffic. DDoS attacks involve multiple compromised systems attacking a target, making it difficult to mitigate.

iv. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attacks: In MitM attacks, an attacker intercepts communication between two parties without their knowledge. This can allow the attacker to eavesdrop on or manipulate the communication.

v. SQL Injection: SQL injection is a code injection technique used to attack data-driven applications. Attackers insert malicious SQL statements into an entry field for execution.

vi. Zero-Day Exploits: Zero-day exploits target vulnerabilities in software or hardware that are unknown to the vendor. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities before a fix is developed and deployed.

vii. Insider Threats: Insider threats involve the misuse of access and privileges by authorized users within an organization to compromise security. This can include employees stealing data, intentionally leaking sensitive information, or causing damage to systems.

viii. Social Engineering Attacks: Social engineering attacks manipulate individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security. This can involve psychological manipulation and impersonation.

ix. Cryptocurrency Hijacking: Cybercriminals are become more prevalent along with digital currencies and mining. They have discovered a sinister benefit in mining cryptocurrencies, which calls for intricate computations in order to produce digital currencies like Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin, and Monero.

x. Botnet Attacks: Botnet attacks frequently target big businesses and organizations that collect a lot of data. For their clever intentions, programmers can get control over an infinite number of devices through this technique.

2. What makes a cyberattack active or passive?

Answer:

i. Active Cyberattack: Involves deliberate actions to compromise or disrupt computer systems or networks. Examples: Malware deployment, denial-of-service attacks, data exfiltration, and system manipulation.

ii. Passive Cyberattack: Involves unauthorized monitoring or surveillance of network traffic or data without actively altering or disrupting the targeted systems. Examples: Network sniffing, eavesdropping, and passive data interception.

3. Social engineering: What is it?

Answer:

· Social Engineering: It is a term used to describe the manipulation of individuals to gain unauthorized access to systems or information. It involves exploiting human psychology rather than technical hacking techniques to deceive people into divulging confidential information, such as passwords or sensitive data. Social engineers typically use tactics like phishing emails, pretexting, baiting, or tailgating to trick individuals into compromising security.

4. Describe the distinction between a worm and a virus.

Answer:

· Worm: A worm is a type of malicious software that can spread itself to other computers without needing to be attached to a program or file. It can execute and spread independently, causing damage to networks, consuming bandwidth, and slowing down network traffic. Worms are more visible as they can slow down networks and systems due to their self-replicating nature. Examples of worms include the famous “ILOVEYOU” and “Conficker” worms.

· Virus: A virus is a type of malicious software that requires a host program or file to infect and spread to other computers. It needs a host program to execute and spread, and it can corrupt or modify files and data on a computer. Viruses may remain hidden within infected files until those files are executed. Examples of viruses include the “Melissa” virus and the “CIH” virus.

5. What dangers come with using free public Wi-Fi?

Answer:

1. Malware
2. Viruses
3. Worms
4. Rogue Networks
5. Unencrypted Connections
6. Network Snooping
7. Log-in Credential Vulnerability
8. System Update Alerts
9. Session Hijacking

6. How does one go about hacking a network or server?

Answer:

Any server or network can be hacked by making sure the following procedures are followed:

1. To obtain more sensitive information for potential application-specific exploits, access your web server via anonymous FTP.
2. Scan ports and gather additional information by monitoring file sizes, open ports, and running processes on your system.
3. Execute simple commands on your web server, such as ‘clear cache’ or ‘delete all files,’ to highlight the data stored by the server behind these programs.
4. Connect to other websites on the same network, such as Facebook and Twitter, to verify the deleted data.
5. Utilize the conversion channel to access the server and internal network resources for further information gathering.
6. Finally, use Metasploit to obtain remote access to these resources.

7. Can you explain the concept of zero-day vulnerabilities, and how do they pose a risk to cybersecurity?

Answer:

· Zero-day vulnerabilities: They are security flaws in software or hardware that are unknown to the vendor and have not been patched. These vulnerabilities can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, steal data, or cause other forms of damage.

Zero-day vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because there are no patches or fixes available to protect against them. As a result, organizations and individuals are often at risk of being targeted by cyberattacks leveraging these vulnerabilities.

8. Which kinds of malware exist?

Answer:

i. Viruses: A computer virus is a form of malicious software that attaches itself to legitimate programs and spreads by infecting other files. Viruses have the potential to cause harm to files, steal data, or disrupt the functioning of a system.

ii. Worms: Worms are independent malware programs that replicate themselves and spread through networks without the need to attach to other files. Worms have the ability to spread quickly and can cause significant damage by consuming network bandwidth or exploiting vulnerabilities.

iii. Trojans: Trojans, also known as Trojan horses, are deceptive malware programs that appear to be legitimate software but contain malicious code. Trojans often deceive users into downloading and executing them, which allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the compromised system or steal sensitive information.

iv. Ransomware: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts files on a victim’s computer and demands a ransom payment in exchange for the decryption key. Ransomware attacks can lead to data loss, financial losses, and substantial disruption to business operations.

v. Spyware: Spyware is a type of malware specifically designed to secretly monitor and collect information about a user’s activities without their knowledge or consent. Spyware operates stealthily in the background, gathering sensitive information such as passwords, browsing habits, and personal data.

Encryption:

9. How do you decrypt and encrypt data?

Answer:

· Encryption: It refers to the act of transforming readable data (plaintext) into unreadable data (ciphertext) with the aid of an algorithm and a secret key. The resulting ciphertext appears as a random sequence of characters and is incomprehensible to anyone who lacks the corresponding key.

The purpose of encryption is to ensure that even if unauthorized individuals gain access to the encrypted information, they will be unable to decipher or comprehend its contents without the appropriate key.

· Decryption: It involves the reversal of the encryption process, converting ciphertext back into its original plaintext form using the same algorithm and key. Through decryption, the previously unreadable ciphertext is transformed back into human-readable data, restoring its original meaning and format.

10. What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric key cryptography?

Answer:

· Symmetric Key Cryptography: It uses the same key for both encryption and decryption of the data. The biggest challenge with symmetric key cryptography is key distribution. The sender and receiver must have a secure way to exchange the secret key. It is generally faster than asymmetric key cryptography because of the simplicity of the algorithms involved.

Examples: Common examples of symmetric key algorithms include AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and DES (Data Encryption Standard).

· Asymmetric Key Cryptography: It uses a pair of keys — a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption, or vice versa. Asymmetric key cryptography addresses the key distribution problem by allowing the public key to be freely distributed while keeping the private key secret. It provides a higher level of security compared to symmetric key cryptography.

Examples: RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) and ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) are popular asymmetric key algorithms.

11. Provide a few instances of Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange.

Answer:

1. SSL/TLS Encryption
2. Virtual Private Networks
3. Secure Email Communication (e.g., PGP, S/MIME)
4. Secure Messaging Applications (e.g., Signal, WhatsApp)
5. Secure File Transfer (e.g., SSH, SFTP)

Foundational Concepts:

12. The CIA Triad: What Is It?

Answer:

The CIA triad refers to confidentiality, integrity and availability, describing a model designed to guide policies for information security (infosec) within an organization.

Confidentiality: It is similar to privacy, aims to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Data is often classified based on the potential damage that could occur if it were accessed by the wrong individuals. Depending on these classifications, varying levels of security measures are implemented.

Integrity: It refers to maintaining the consistency, accuracy, and reliability of data throughout its entire lifespan. It is crucial to ensure that data remains unchanged during transmission and cannot be altered by unauthorized individuals, such as in cases of data breaches.

Availability: It involves ensuring that authorized parties have consistent and easy access to information. This requires proper maintenance of hardware, technical infrastructure, and systems that store and present the information.

13. Describe the various varieties of honeypots.

Answer:

A honeypot is a networked system designed to serve as a decoy for cyber attackers, enabling the detection and investigation of their tactics and types of attacks. By posing as a potential target on the Internet, it alerts defenders to unauthorized access attempts on information systems.

Types of Honeypots based on Deployment and Involvement of Intruders –

1. Research Honeypots:

· Utilized by researchers to analyze hacking attacks

· Identify methods to prevent attacks

· Provide insights into attacker techniques

2. Production Honeypots:

· Deployed with servers on the production network

· Act as front-end traps for attackers

· Help identify vulnerabilities and prevent actual harm to systems

Other Honeypot Variations –

1. High-Interaction Honeypots:

· Provide immersive environments for attackers

· Simulate real systems for in-depth analysis

· Capture a wide range of attacker actions

2. Low-Interaction Honeypots:

· Offer limited interaction with attackers

· Focus on capturing specific types of attacks

· Collect statistical data on attack trends

3. Virtual Honeypots:

· Implemented as software or virtual machines

· Emulate various network services and systems

· Offer flexibility and scalability for deployment and management

Networking and Technologies:

14. DNS: What is it?

Answer:

· Domain Name System (DNS): It converts domain names into IP addresses that are utilized by browsers to access web pages. Each Internet-connected device has its unique IP address, which is used by other devices to identify it. Essentially, DNS defines the network’s service by facilitating the translation of domain names to IP addresses.

15. A firewall: what is it?

Answer:

· Firewall: It is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and untrusted external networks, such as the internet, and helps prevent unauthorized access while allowing legitimate communication. Firewalls can be implemented in hardware, software, or both, and are essential for protecting networks from various cyber threats.

16. VPN: What is it?

Answer:

· Virtual Private Network (VPN): It is a technology that establishes a secure, encrypted connection over an unsecured network, such as the Internet. It allows the extension of a private network over a public network like the Internet. The term “virtual private network” simply signifies that it is a virtual form of a “private network.” This enables a user, who may be part of a local area network at a distant location, to create a secure connection utilizing a tunnelling protocol.

17. What is IP Blacklisting?

Answer:

IP blacklisting is a method used to block unauthorized or malicious IP addresses from accessing your network. A blacklist is a list of ranges or individual IP addresses to block. It is typically implemented through firewall rules or network security appliances to prevent communication with blacklisted IP addresses. Additionally, IP blacklisting can be automated through threat intelligence feeds or security platforms that continuously update the blacklist based on known threats and suspicious activities.

Cybersecurity Regulations and Frameworks:

18. What are some important cybersecurity frameworks and regulations?

Answer:

Regulations and frameworks are essential as they provide guidelines and standards for ensuring data security, privacy, and compliance.

1. NIST Framework: Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this framework provides guidelines and best practices for managing and reducing cybersecurity risks.

2. ISO 27001 and ISO 27002: These international standards focus on information security management systems (ISMS) and provide a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their information security.

3. Service Organization Control (SOC2): SOC2 is a framework developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to assess and report on controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy of services provided by service organizations.

4. North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC-CIP): NERC-CIP establishes requirements for the security of critical infrastructure assets in the electric utility industry to ensure the reliability of the North American bulk power system.

5. HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): HIPAA is a U.S. law that governs the security and privacy of medical records and personal health information.

6. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): GDPR is a European Union regulation that focuses on the protection of individuals’ personal data. It sets strict rules for how organizations should handle and process personal data.

7. Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): FISMA is United States legislation that defines a framework of guidelines and security standards to protect government information and operations.

8. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS is a set of security standards designed to ensure the secure handling of credit card information by organizations that accept card payments.

9. ISO/IEC 27001: This international standard for information security management systems (ISMS) provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their information security management.

10. Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) Framework: CERT frameworks offer guidelines for incident response and management, helping organizations develop effective strategies for dealing with security incidents.”

Hacking and Penetration Testing:

19. What does penetration testing mean to you?

Answer:

Penetration testing is done to find vulnerabilities, malicious content, flaws, and risks. It’s done to make the organization’s security system defend the IT infrastructure. It is an official procedure that can be deemed helpful and not a harmful attempt. It is part of an ethical hacking process that specifically focuses only on penetrating the information system.

20. What are the roles and responsibilities of the Red Team and Blue Team during a penetration test or security exercise?

Answer:

During a penetration test or security exercise, the Red Team and Blue Team play distinct roles and have specific responsibilities:

· Red Team: The Red Team simulates the role of attackers and is responsible for attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Their primary focus is on identifying security weaknesses through various means, such as social engineering, network exploitation, and other attack vectors. They aim to test the effectiveness of the organization’s security measures and incident response capabilities. The Red Team’s goal is to identify and exploit vulnerabilities to demonstrate the potential impact of a real attack.

· Blue Team: The Blue Team represents the defenders, including the organization’s security and IT staff. They are responsible for detecting and responding to the simulated attacks launched by the Red Team. The Blue Team’s role involves monitoring the system for any signs of intrusion, analysing security logs, and actively defending the network against the Red Team’s attacks. Their goal is to identify and mitigate security breaches, assess the effectiveness of existing security measures and incident response procedures, and improve the overall security posture of the organization.

Conclusion

These topics represent only a portion of the broader subject, and there’s much more to explore. It’s crucial not to feel daunted by the extensive information. Preparing for your interview in cybersecurity is a gradual process, not something achievable in a single day. Take it one step at a time, focusing on understanding each topic thoroughly, and you’ll gradually build the knowledge and confidence needed for success.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog!

-Zohra Qureshi