60+ Information Security Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Vulnerability management involves identifying, evaluating, and mitigating security vulnerabilities. Vulnerability scanners scan systems for known vulnerabilities. OWASP top 10 lists common web application security risks. SQL injection and XSS are common attack types. MITRE framework provides a structured approach to cybersecurity. Cyber-kill chain outlines the stages of a cyber attack. Malware analysis involves examining malware behavior. EDR and XDR are endpoint detection an...read more

I have handled high and critical alerts related to malware infections, data breaches, and phishing attacks.

• Identifying the source and scope of the alert

• Isolating affected systems to prevent further damage

• Implementing security patches and updates

• Conducting forensic analysis to determine the extent of the breach

• Collaborating with IT teams to strengthen security measures

SIEM tool architecture includes data collection, normalization, correlation, and reporting components.

• Data collection: Gathers security data from various sources like logs, network traffic, and endpoints.

• Normalization: Standardizes the collected data into a common format for analysis.

• Correlation: Identifies patterns and relationships in the data to detect security incidents.

• Reporting: Generates reports and alerts based on the analyzed data for security monitoring and response...read more

SQL injection is a code injection technique that attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities in a database-driven application.

• SQL injection occurs when an attacker inserts malicious SQL code into a query, allowing them to manipulate or extract data from the database.

• It can lead to unauthorized access, data breaches, data manipulation, or even complete system compromise.

• To mitigate SQL injection, use parameterized queries or prepared statements to ensure input is properly sanitiz...read more

XSS stands for Cross-Site Scripting. It is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

• XSS attacks can be mitigated by input validation and output encoding.

• Input validation involves checking user input for malicious code and rejecting it if found.

• Output encoding involves converting special characters to their HTML entity equivalents to prevent them from being interpreted as code.

• Using a Content Securi...read more

OWASP top 10 vulnerabilities are the most critical web application security risks.

• Injection flaws (SQL, NoSQL, OS)

• Broken authentication and session management

• Cross-site scripting (XSS)

• Broken access control

• Security misconfiguration

• Insecure cryptographic storage

• Insufficient logging and monitoring

• Insecure communication

• Using components with known vulnerabilities

• Insufficient attack protection

EDR is a proactive approach to threat detection and response, while antivirus is a reactive approach to threat prevention.

• EDR focuses on detecting and responding to threats in real-time, while antivirus focuses on preventing known threats from infecting a system.

• EDR uses behavioral analysis and machine learning to identify suspicious activity, while antivirus relies on signature-based detection.

• EDR provides more detailed information about the nature of a threat and its impact...read more

Security concepts in cyber security refer to fundamental principles and practices that help protect information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that information is only accessible to those who are authorized to view it.

• Integrity: Ensuring that information is accurate and has not been tampered with.

• Availability: Ensuring that information and systems are accessible when needed.

• Authenticati...read more

In MITM attack with TLS v2 encryption, credentials can be read by intercepting the communication between the client and server.

• In a MITM attack, the attacker intercepts the communication between the client and server.

• Even with TLS v2 encryption, the attacker can decrypt the traffic if they have access to the private key or exploit vulnerabilities in the encryption protocol.

• The attacker can then read the credentials exchanged between the client and server, potentially gaining ...read more

DoS attack targets a single system, while DDoS attack targets multiple systems simultaneously.

• DoS stands for Denial of Service, where a single system is targeted with overwhelming traffic to make it unavailable to users.

• DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, where multiple systems are used to launch the attack simultaneously.

• DoS attacks can be carried out by a single attacker, while DDoS attacks require multiple attackers or compromised systems.

• Examples of DoS attacks...read more

The 5 steps to initiate any security program are: assess risks, develop policies, implement controls, train employees, and monitor and evaluate.

• Assess risks to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities

• Develop policies and procedures to address identified risks

• Implement controls to mitigate risks and enforce policies

• Train employees on security policies and procedures

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the security program

VAPT stands for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing.

• VAPT is a comprehensive security testing process that identifies vulnerabilities in a system or network.

• It involves conducting both vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

• Vulnerability assessment focuses on identifying weaknesses and flaws in the system.

• Penetration testing involves actively exploiting vulnerabilities to assess the system's security.

• VAPT helps organizations identify and address security...read more

It depends on the specific use case and requirements.

• TCP is reliable and ensures all data is delivered in order, but it can be slower due to the overhead of error-checking and retransmission.

• UDP is faster and more efficient for real-time applications like video streaming or online gaming, but it does not guarantee delivery or order of packets.

• Choose TCP for applications that require reliable data transmission, such as file transfers or email.

• Choose UDP for applications where ...read more

OWASP is a non-profit organization that focuses on improving software security.

• OWASP provides a list of the top 10 web application security risks.

• They also offer tools and resources for developers to improve security.

• OWASP hosts conferences and events to promote education and collaboration in the security community.

Respond by educating employees, implementing email filters, and conducting phishing simulations.

• Educate employees on how to identify phishing emails and not to click on suspicious links or attachments.

• Implement email filters to detect and block phishing emails before they reach employees' inboxes.

• Conduct regular phishing simulations to test employees' awareness and response to phishing attacks.

• Promptly report any suspected phishing emails to the IT department for further inve...read more

To mitigate attacks, implement security measures and regularly update them. Remediation involves identifying and fixing vulnerabilities.

• Implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software

• Regularly update software and security patches

• Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments

• Train employees on security best practices

• Have an incident response plan in place

• Identify and fix vulnerabilities as soon as possible

Hashing is a process of converting input data into a fixed-size string of bytes using a mathematical algorithm.

• Hashing is commonly used in password storage to securely store user passwords without storing the actual password.

• Hashing is used in digital signatures to ensure the integrity of the signed data.

• Blockchain technology uses hashing to create a secure and tamper-proof record of transactions.

• File integrity checks often use hashing to verify that a file has not been alter...read more

EDR focuses on detecting and responding to advanced threats, while antivirus focuses on preventing known threats.

• EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) is designed to detect and respond to advanced threats in real-time.

• Antivirus software is focused on preventing known threats by scanning files and monitoring system activity.

• EDR provides more advanced threat detection capabilities, such as behavior analysis and threat hunting.

• Antivirus software relies on signature-based detecti...read more

I have referred to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

• The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a widely recognized risk framework.

• It provides a common language and methodology for managing cybersecurity risk.

• The framework consists of five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.

• I have also referred to other frameworks such as ISO 27001 and COBIT.

• These frameworks provide additional guidance on risk management and control implementation.

DAM solution is required to protect digital assets, control access, monitor usage, and ensure compliance.

• Protect digital assets from unauthorized access or theft

• Control access to sensitive information based on user roles and permissions

• Monitor usage of digital assets to detect any suspicious activity

• Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and industry standards

• Examples: Digital Rights Management (DRM), access control lists, encryption

To exploit the xyz vulnerability, an attacker could use a known exploit or develop a custom exploit to gain unauthorized access.

• Identify the specific vulnerability in the xyz system

• Research existing exploits or develop a custom exploit to target the vulnerability

• Craft malicious payloads or code to exploit the vulnerability

• Execute the exploit to gain unauthorized access or control over the system

Yes, I am able to raise tickets for any security-related issues.

• I have experience using ticketing systems such as JIRA and ServiceNow.

• I am familiar with the process of creating and tracking tickets from start to resolution.

• I understand the importance of accurately documenting security incidents and vulnerabilities.

• For example, in my previous role, I raised a ticket for a phishing email that was sent to multiple employees, and worked with the incident response team to investig...read more

Email security refers to the measures taken to secure the transmission and content of emails to protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware.

• Email encryption to protect the content of emails from being read by unauthorized parties

• Implementing strong authentication methods to prevent unauthorized access to email accounts

• Using anti-malware software to scan and detect malicious attachments or links in emails

• Training employees on how to recognize phishing attem...read more

RBAC stands for Role-Based Access Control, a method of restricting network access based on roles assigned to users.

• RBAC assigns permissions to roles, and roles to users

• It simplifies access management by grouping users with similar access needs

• RBAC helps enforce the principle of least privilege, granting only necessary permissions

• Example: Admin role has full access, while User role has limited access

Port numbers for different protocols used in networking.

• HTTP - 80

• HTTPS - 443

• FTP - 20, 21

• SSH - 22

• SMTP - 25

• DNS - 53

• POP3 - 110

• IMAP - 143

• LDAP - 389

• RDP - 3389

SOC stands for Security Operations Center, which is a centralized unit that deals with security issues on an organizational level. Antivirus software is a program designed to detect and remove malicious software from a computer system.

• SOC is a centralized unit within an organization responsible for monitoring and responding to security incidents.

• Antivirus software is designed to detect and remove malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and trojans.

• SOC analysts use various...read more

Viruses and malware are malicious software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

• Viruses are self-replicating programs that attach themselves to clean files and spread throughout a computer system.

• Malware is a broader term that includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware.

• Examples of malware include WannaCry ransomware, Zeus trojan, and Mirai botnet.

OSI layer is a conceptual model that describes the communication functions of a network.

• Layer 1 (Physical Layer) - devices: hubs, repeaters, cables

• Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) - devices: switches, bridges

• Layer 3 (Network Layer) - devices: routers, layer 3 switches

• Layer 4 (Transport Layer) - devices: gateways, firewalls

• Layer 5 (Session Layer) - devices: not applicable

• Layer 6 (Presentation Layer) - devices: not applicable

• Layer 7 (Application Layer) - devices: servers, workstations

Cyber Kill Chain is a framework used to describe the stages of a cyber attack, from initial reconnaissance to data exfiltration.

• Cyber Kill Chain was developed by Lockheed Martin to help organizations understand and defend against cyber attacks.

• The stages of Cyber Kill Chain include reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives.

• By understanding each stage of the Cyber Kill Chain, organizations can better det...read more

OWASP stands for Open Web Application Security Project, a non-profit organization focused on improving software security.

• OWASP provides resources such as tools, documentation, and guidelines for web application security.

• It publishes a list of the top 10 most critical web application security risks.

• OWASP also offers training and conferences to educate professionals on security best practices.

Cybersecurity is crucial in application security to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber attacks.

• Cybersecurity helps in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in applications.

• It ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data within applications.

• Implementing secure coding practices and regular security assessments are essential in application security.

• Examples include using encryption to protect data in transit and at rest, implementing multi-factor a...read more

PTES methodology is a framework for conducting penetration testing, and networking concepts include TCP/IP, DNS, and VPNs.

• PTES methodology stands for Penetration Testing Execution Standard and provides a structured approach to conducting penetration tests.

• Networking concepts include TCP/IP, which is the protocol suite used for internet communication.

• DNS (Domain Name System) is used to translate domain names to IP addresses.

• VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) create secure connect...read more

CSRF stands for Cross-Site Request Forgery, a type of attack where a malicious website tricks a user into performing an action on another website without their knowledge or consent.

• CSRF attacks exploit the trust that a website has in a user's browser

• Attackers can use CSRF to perform actions such as changing a user's password or making unauthorized purchases

• Preventing CSRF involves using techniques such as CSRF tokens and same-site cookies

There are several types of risks, including physical, financial, reputational, and cybersecurity risks.

• Physical risks: hazards that can cause physical harm or damage to property

• Financial risks: potential losses or negative impacts on financial performance

• Reputational risks: damage to a company's reputation or brand image

• Cybersecurity risks: threats to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems

• Other types of risks include legal, operational, an...read more

BAC vulnerabilities refer to vulnerabilities in Biometric Access Control systems.

• Spoofing attacks: where an attacker impersonates a legitimate user to gain unauthorized access.

• Replay attacks: where an attacker intercepts and reuses biometric data to gain access.

• Tampering attacks: where an attacker manipulates biometric data to bypass authentication.

• False acceptance rate (FAR) vulnerabilities: where the system incorrectly identifies an unauthorized user as authorized.

• False rej...read more

The most common vulnerability is human error.

• Phishing attacks

• Weak passwords

• Unpatched software

• Social engineering

• Misconfigured systems

Investigate recent attacks by analyzing logs, network traffic, and system activity.

• Review logs from affected systems to identify suspicious activity

• Analyze network traffic to determine source of attack

• Examine system activity for any unauthorized access or changes

• Interview employees to gather information on potential security breaches

Handling security incidents requires quick response, analysis, and communication to mitigate risks.

• Quickly assess the situation to determine the severity of the incident

• Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage

• Collect evidence for analysis and potential legal action

• Communicate with stakeholders, including IT teams, management, and possibly law enforcement

• Implement security measures to prevent future incidents

OWASP Top 10 is a list of the top 10 most critical web application security risks.

• Injection

• Broken Authentication

• Sensitive Data Exposure

• XML External Entities (XXE)

• Broken Access Control

• Security Misconfiguration

• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

• Insecure Deserialization

• Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities

• Insufficient Logging and Monitoring

Monitoring and analyzing security measures to protect an organization's computer systems and networks

• Monitoring security measures to ensure they are effective

• Analyzing security breaches to determine the cause and prevent future incidents

• Implementing security protocols and procedures

• Conducting regular security audits and risk assessments

The MITRE ATT&CK framework is a knowledge base of adversary tactics and techniques based on real-world observations.

• MITRE ATT&CK provides a comprehensive list of techniques used by attackers to compromise systems.

• Techniques are categorized into tactics such as Initial Access, Execution, Persistence, etc.

• Examples of techniques include Spearphishing Attachment, Command and Scripting Interpreter, and Registry Run Keys / Startup Folder.

Pipelines in Sonar refer to the process of analyzing code in a continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline using SonarQube.

• Pipelines in Sonar involve automatically scanning code for bugs, vulnerabilities, and code smells.

• SonarQube is often integrated into CI/CD pipelines to ensure code quality and security at every stage of development.

• Developers can set up rules and quality gates in SonarQube to enforce coding standards and best practices.

• Pipelines in Sonar...read more

Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.

• Centralized database for managing network resources

• Stores information about users, computers, and other network objects

• Allows for authentication and authorization of users

• Enables administrators to assign policies, deploy software, and apply updates

• Example: Used in organizations to manage user accounts, group policies, and access control

Cloud security refers to the practices and technologies used to protect data, applications, and infrastructure in the cloud.

• Involves securing data, applications, and infrastructure stored in the cloud

• Includes measures such as encryption, access control, and monitoring

• Ensures data privacy, compliance with regulations, and protection against cyber threats

• Examples of cloud security tools: firewalls, IAM (Identity and Access Management) solutions, encryption services

Control testing is the process of evaluating the effectiveness of controls in place to mitigate risks.

• Control testing involves testing the controls in place to ensure they are working effectively

• It helps identify any weaknesses in the controls and provides recommendations for improvement

• Control testing can be done through various methods such as walkthroughs, testing of transactions, and data analysis

• Examples of controls that can be tested include access controls, change mana...read more

CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability in the context of information security.

• Confidentiality: Ensuring that information is only accessible to those who are authorized to view it.

• Integrity: Ensuring that information is accurate and has not been tampered with.

• Availability: Ensuring that information is accessible when needed by authorized users.

• Example: Encrypting sensitive data to maintain confidentiality.

• Example: Implementing access controls to ensure int...read more

IPsec stands for Internet Protocol Security, a protocol suite used to secure Internet Protocol (IP) communications.

• IPsec provides authentication, integrity, and confidentiality for data transmitted over a network.

• It can be used to create Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to securely connect remote offices or users.

• IPsec operates at the network layer of the OSI model and can be implemented through various protocols such as AH and ESP.

• It is commonly used to secure communication b...read more