20+ Information Security Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

Options to take over a higher-privilege account with an existing lower-privilege account.

• Use privilege escalation techniques to gain higher privileges

• Exploit vulnerabilities in the system to gain access to higher-privilege accounts

• Use social engineering to obtain login credentials for higher-privilege accounts

• Use brute-force attacks to crack passwords for higher-privilege accounts

Implementing a data security or DLP solution from scratch and enhancing existing security posture.

• Conduct a thorough assessment of current data security measures and identify potential vulnerabilities

• Define data classification policies to categorize sensitive information

• Select and implement a DLP solution that aligns with the organization's needs and budget

• Configure the DLP solution to monitor and protect data in transit, at rest, and in use

• Establish incident response procedu...read more

Blind XSS is a type of XSS attack where the attacker does not receive the output of the injected script.

• Blind XSS is also known as non-persistent XSS.

• It is difficult to detect as the attacker does not receive any feedback.

• One technique to find Blind XSS is to use a tool like Burp Suite to inject a payload and monitor the server response.

• Another technique is to use a third-party service like XSS Hunter to track the payload and receive notifications when it is triggered.

• Prevent...read more

The best way to send CSRF token in client-server communication is through HTTP headers.

• HTTP headers are the most secure way to send CSRF tokens.

• The token should be sent in the 'X-CSRF-Token' header.

• The header should be set to 'SameSite=Strict' to prevent cross-site request forgery attacks.

• The token should be regenerated for each session to prevent replay attacks.

There are numerous types of XSS attacks. Mitigation involves input validation and output encoding.

• There are three main types of XSS attacks: stored, reflected, and DOM-based.

• Mitigation involves input validation to ensure that user input is safe and output encoding to prevent malicious code from being executed.

• Examples of input validation include limiting the length of input and restricting the types of characters that can be used.

• Examples of output encoding include HTML entit...read more

There are several types of solutions to protect data from DLP, including network-based, endpoint-based, and cloud-based solutions.

• Network-based solutions monitor traffic on the network and can block or quarantine sensitive data.

• Endpoint-based solutions monitor data on individual devices and can prevent unauthorized access or transmission.

• Cloud-based solutions monitor data stored in the cloud and can prevent unauthorized access or sharing.

• Other types of solutions include email...read more

The interview questions cover topics like vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, web application security, Nmap scanning techniques, and SQL injection.

• Vulnerability Assessment (VA) & Penetration Testing (PT) involve identifying and exploiting security weaknesses in systems.

• Best vulnerability identified in web application security could be a critical SQL injection vulnerability allowing unauthorized access to sensitive data.

• Approach for web application security include...read more

ISMS stands for Information Security Management System. It is important for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of an organization's information assets.

• ISMS is a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information to ensure it remains secure.

• It involves establishing policies, procedures, and processes to manage, monitor, audit, and improve information security.

• ISMS helps organizations identify and mitigate information security risks, comply wit...read more

Symantec DLP is a data loss prevention software that helps organizations protect sensitive data from being leaked or stolen.

• Symantec DLP uses advanced detection techniques to identify and prevent data breaches.

• It can monitor and control data across various channels, including email, web, and cloud applications.

• Symantec DLP can also classify and encrypt sensitive data to ensure its protection.

• It helps organizations comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA...read more

SQLi is a type of injection attack where an attacker injects malicious SQL code into a vulnerable application to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data.

• SQLi involves exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications that allow user input to be executed as SQL commands

• Attackers can use SQLi to bypass authentication, access sensitive data, modify or delete data, and even take control of the entire database

• Mitigation techniques include using prepared statements, input validatio...read more

Classification is the process of categorizing data or information based on certain criteria.

• It involves grouping similar items together.

• It helps in organizing and managing data effectively.

• Examples include classifying emails as spam or not spam, or categorizing documents based on their content.

• Classification can also be used in machine learning to train models to recognize patterns and make predictions.

Vulnerability is a weakness in a system or network that can be exploited by attackers.

• Vulnerabilities can exist in software, hardware, or human processes.

• They can be exploited to gain unauthorized access, steal data, or disrupt operations.

• Examples include software bugs, misconfigured settings, and social engineering tactics.

DLP policies are rules and procedures that prevent sensitive data from being accessed, used, or shared inappropriately.

• DLP policies can be used to prevent data breaches and protect sensitive information.

• They can include rules for identifying and classifying sensitive data, as well as procedures for monitoring and controlling access to that data.

• Examples of DLP policies include restricting access to certain files or folders, monitoring network traffic for suspicious activity, ...read more

Authentication verifies the identity of a user, while authorization determines what actions a user is allowed to perform.

• Authentication confirms the identity of a user through credentials like passwords or biometrics.

• Authorization controls access to resources based on the authenticated user's permissions.

• Authentication precedes authorization in the access control process.

• Example: Logging into a system (authentication) and then being granted access to specific files (authoriza...read more

Viruses need a host to replicate and spread, while worms are standalone programs that can self-replicate and spread over networks.

• Viruses require a host file to attach to and replicate, while worms are standalone programs that can spread independently.

• Viruses are usually spread through infected files or documents, while worms can spread over networks without needing a host file.

• Viruses can be dormant until triggered by a specific event, while worms are active as soon as they ...read more

ISO 27001 is a globally recognized standard for information security management.

• ISO 27001 provides a framework for managing and protecting sensitive information.

• It outlines a risk management process to identify, assess, and treat information security risks.

• ISO 27001 requires organizations to implement and maintain a set of policies, procedures, and controls to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

• Certification to ISO 27001 demonstrates an org...read more

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

• Reflected XSS: The attacker injects a script that is reflected back to the user through a search query or form input.

• Stored XSS: The attacker injects a script that is stored on the server and executed whenever the user visits the affected page.

• DOM-based XSS: The attacker exploits a vulnerability in the client-side script to inj...read more

CSRF is a type of attack where a malicious website tricks a user into performing an action on a different website.

• The attacker creates a website with a form that submits a request to the target website

• The user visits the attacker's website and submits the form, unknowingly performing an action on the target website

• The target website cannot distinguish between a legitimate request and the forged request from the attacker's website

• Examples include changing a user's password or ...read more

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven abstraction layers.

• The OSI model stands for Open Systems Interconnection model.

• It helps in understanding how different networking protocols work together.

• The seven layers are: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

• Each layer has specific functions and communicates with adjacent layers.

• For example, HTTP operates...read more

DNS port number is 53

• DNS port number is 53 for both TCP and UDP protocols

• It is used for DNS queries and responses

• Firewalls and network devices need to allow traffic on port 53 for DNS to function properly

One well-known cyber-attack is the WannaCry ransomware attack.

• WannaCry ransomware attack occurred in 2017, affecting over 200,000 computers in 150 countries.

• The attack exploited a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows systems, encrypting files and demanding ransom in Bitcoin.

• WannaCry was attributed to North Korea by various security experts and agencies.

There are several types of firewalls, including network firewalls, host-based firewalls, and application firewalls.

• Network firewalls filter traffic between two or more networks and operate at the network layer of the OSI model.

• Host-based firewalls are installed on individual computers and control traffic in and out of that specific device.

• Application firewalls filter traffic at the application layer of the OSI model and can provide more granular control over specific applicat...read more

TCP/IP model is a networking protocol suite that defines how data is transmitted over a network.

• Consists of four layers: Application, Transport, Internet, Link

• Each layer has specific functions and protocols

• Example: TCP operates at the Transport layer, while IP operates at the Internet layer

Types of viruses include file infectors, macro viruses, boot sector viruses, and ransomware.

• File infectors: attach themselves to executable files and spread when the infected file is run.

• Macro viruses: infect documents and spreadsheets that support macros.

• Boot sector viruses: infect the master boot record of a storage device.

• Ransomware: encrypts files and demands payment for decryption.