40+ Soc Analyst 1 Interview Questions and Answers

Investigating email phishing involves analyzing email headers, links, and content to identify signs of phishing.

• Examine email headers to look for inconsistencies or suspicious domains

• Hover over links to check the actual URL before clicking

• Analyze email content for spelling errors, urgent language, or requests for personal information

• Check for generic greetings or unfamiliar sender addresses

A SOC analyst's day-to-day activities involve monitoring and analyzing security events, investigating incidents, and responding to threats.

• Monitoring security events and alerts from various sources

• Analyzing and investigating potential security incidents

• Responding to and mitigating security threats

• Performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing

• Creating and maintaining security incident reports

• Collaborating with other teams to ensure timely incident response

• Staying...read more

Cross site scripting is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

• Cross site scripting (XSS) occurs when an attacker injects malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

• Lateral movement in an attack scenario involves an attacker moving horizontally across a network to gain access to different systems.

• Attackers can use lateral movement techniques such as pass-the-hash, pass-the-ticket, and...read more

Approach RDP connection during analysis by examining logs, network traffic, and user activity.

• Review RDP logs for any suspicious activity or unauthorized access.

• Analyze network traffic for any anomalies or unusual patterns related to RDP connections.

• Monitor user activity to identify any unauthorized or suspicious RDP sessions.

• Consider using tools like Wireshark, Splunk, or ELK stack for in-depth analysis.

• Look for failed login attempts, unusual login times, or multiple simulta...read more

Implementing multi-layered defense mechanisms, regular security updates, employee training, and incident response planning are key cyber security best practices.

• Implement multi-layered defense mechanisms to protect against various types of cyber threats

• Regularly update security systems and software to patch vulnerabilities

• Provide ongoing training for employees on cyber security best practices and how to recognize and respond to threats

• Develop and regularly test an incident re...read more

Positives include strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Negatives may include lack of experience or difficulty working in a team.

• Positives: strong analytical skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently

• Negatives: lack of experience, difficulty working in a team, limited knowledge of specific tools or technologies

Router works at the network layer (Layer 3) in the OSI model.

• Routers operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.

• They use IP addresses to forward packets between different networks.

• Routers make decisions based on routing tables to determine the best path for data transmission.

• Examples of routers include Cisco routers, Juniper routers, and home Wi-Fi routers.

Event ID 4625 is for login fail

• Event ID 4625 is generated when a user fails to log in to a system

• It is commonly seen in Windows Security event logs

• The event provides information on the account that failed to log in, the reason for the failure, and the source of the login attempt

VA stands for Vulnerability Assessment, which identifies vulnerabilities in systems and networks. PT stands for Penetration Testing, which simulates real-world attacks to exploit vulnerabilities.

• VA is a proactive approach to identifying vulnerabilities, while PT is a more hands-on, simulated attack

• VA typically involves scanning systems for known vulnerabilities, while PT involves attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to gain access

• VA results in a list of vulnerabilities that ...read more

I use Kali Linux for its powerful tools and features specifically designed for penetration testing and ethical hacking.

• Kali Linux is a specialized Linux distribution built for penetration testing, digital forensics, and security auditing.

• It comes pre-installed with a wide range of tools for network analysis, vulnerability assessment, and password cracking.

• Kali Linux provides a secure environment for ethical hackers to test and improve the security of systems and networks.

• The ...read more

Analysis of recent known cyber attacks

• Analyze recent cyber attacks to identify patterns and trends

• Look for common attack vectors and techniques used

• Assess the impact of the attacks on organizations and individuals

• Evaluate the effectiveness of existing security measures in mitigating the attacks

TCP/IP and OSI are two different networking models used to understand and standardize communication protocols.

• TCP/IP model is a simpler model with 4 layers: Application, Transport, Internet, and Network Access.

• OSI model is a more detailed model with 7 layers: Application, Presentation, Session, Transport, Network, Data Link, and Physical.

• TCP/IP model is used in the actual implementation of the internet, while OSI model is more of a theoretical framework.

• TCP/IP model is more c...read more

I have used tools such as Wireshark, Splunk, and Nessus for network analysis and security monitoring.

• Wireshark for packet capture and analysis

• Splunk for log management and analysis

• Nessus for vulnerability scanning

Network protocols are rules and conventions for communication between devices on a network. Network concepts include IP addressing, routing, and security.

• Network protocols are rules that govern communication between devices on a network, such as TCP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.

• Network concepts include IP addressing, which assigns unique addresses to devices on a network, routing which determines the path data takes between devices, and security measures like firewalls and encryption.

• Un...read more

CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Splunk and IBM QRadar are both security information and event management (SIEM) tools.

• CIA is a security model that focuses on protecting information by ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

• Splunk is a SIEM tool that collects, indexes, and analyzes machine data to provide insights into security events and threats.

• IBM QRadar is another SIEM tool that helps organizations detect and respond to secur...read more

Mitigating DDoS attacks involves implementing various strategies to protect against overwhelming traffic.

• Implementing a strong firewall to filter out malicious traffic

• Utilizing a content delivery network (CDN) to distribute traffic and reduce strain on servers

• Using DDoS mitigation services or tools to detect and block attacks

• Configuring network devices to limit the impact of attacks

• Regularly monitoring network traffic for any unusual patterns

The OSI model consists of 7 layers, each with its own set of protocols.

• Layer 1 - Physical layer: protocols like Ethernet, Wi-Fi

• Layer 2 - Data Link layer: protocols like MAC, PPP

• Layer 3 - Network layer: protocols like IP, ICMP

• Layer 4 - Transport layer: protocols like TCP, UDP

• Layer 5 - Session layer: protocols like NetBIOS, PPTP

• Layer 6 - Presentation layer: protocols like SSL, TLS

• Layer 7 - Application layer: protocols like HTTP, FTP

Recent phishing attacks in the industry have been on the rise, targeting organizations of all sizes.

• Phishing attacks often involve emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, tricking recipients into revealing sensitive information.

• Common tactics used in phishing attacks include spoofed email addresses, fake websites, and urgent requests for personal information.

• Organizations can protect themselves from phishing attacks by implementing email filters, educating employees...read more

The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven layers.

• The OSI model helps in understanding how data is transmitted over a network.

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

• Examples of OSI layers include Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application layers.

The CIA Triad is a foundational security model that consists of three core principles: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

• 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, using checksums t...read more

Phishing emails can be identified by checking for suspicious sender addresses, links, attachments, and requests for personal information.

• Check the sender's email address for any misspellings or unusual domain names

• Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking on them

• Be cautious of emails requesting personal information or urgent action

• Look for poor grammar or spelling errors in the email content

• Avoid opening attachments from unknown senders

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that encrypts a user's files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.

• Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails, malicious websites, or software vulnerabilities.

• Once infected, the user's files are encrypted and inaccessible until a ransom is paid.

• Payment is often demanded in cryptocurrency to make it harder to trace.

• Examples of ransomware include WannaCry, Petya, and Locky.

Cyber attacks are malicious attempts to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems or networks.

• Cyber attacks can include malware, phishing, ransomware, DDoS attacks, and social engineering.

• Attackers may target individuals, organizations, or governments for financial gain, espionage, or sabotage.

• Examples of cyber attacks include the WannaCry ransomware attack, the Equifax data breach, and the SolarWinds supply chain attack.

Cyber kill chain is a framework used to describe the stages of a cyber attack from initial reconnaissance to data exfiltration.

• The cyber kill chain consists of several stages including reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives.

• Each stage represents a step in the attacker's process of infiltrating a target network and achieving their goals.

• By understanding the cyber kill chain, organizations can better d...read more

QRadar SIEM architecture is a distributed system with components like Console, Event Processors, Flow Processors, and Data Nodes.

• QRadar SIEM architecture is based on a distributed model

• Components include Console, Event Processors, Flow Processors, and Data Nodes

• Console provides the user interface for managing and monitoring security events

• Event Processors collect, normalize, and correlate events from various sources

• Flow Processors analyze network traffic for security threats

• D...read more

IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System and IPS stands for Intrusion Prevention System.

• IDS monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and alerts the administrator.

• IPS not only detects but also takes action to block or prevent the detected threats.

• IDS is passive while IPS is active in responding to threats.

• Examples of IDS include Snort and Suricata, while examples of IPS include Cisco Firepower and Palo Alto Networks.

Find the first non-repeating character in a string.

• Create a frequency map of characters in the string.

• Iterate through the string and check the frequency of each character.

• Return the first character with frequency 1.

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

• The OSI Model stands for Open Systems Interconnection Model.

• It helps in understanding how data is transferred over a network.

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

• Examples of layers include Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

Phishing analysis involves examining suspicious emails or websites to identify potential threats.

• Check the sender's email address for any inconsistencies or misspellings

• Look for urgent language or requests for personal information

• Verify the legitimacy of any links by hovering over them before clicking

• Check for poor grammar or spelling errors in the email content

• Report any suspicious emails to the appropriate IT or security team

CIA triad is a model designed to guide policies for information security within an organization.

• CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability

• Confidentiality ensures that information is only accessible to those who are authorized to view it

• Integrity ensures that information is accurate and trustworthy

• Availability ensures that information is accessible when needed

• Example: Encrypting sensitive data to maintain confidentiality

DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, a cyber attack where multiple compromised systems are used to target a single system, causing a denial of service.

• DDoS attacks overwhelm a target system with a flood of traffic, making it inaccessible to legitimate users.

• Attackers often use botnets, networks of infected computers, to carry out DDoS attacks.

• DDoS attacks can target websites, servers, or network infrastructure.

• Mitigation techniques include using firewalls, load bala...read more

An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network.

• An IP address consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.1.1)

• There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit)

• IP addresses are used to identify and communicate with devices on a network

I have 2 years of experience as a SOC analyst, monitoring and analyzing security events and incidents.

• Monitored security events and incidents to identify potential threats

• Analyzed security alerts to determine the severity and impact of incidents

• Investigated security incidents to understand the root cause and recommend remediation actions

• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to respond to security incidents effectively

DDoS attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt normal traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic.

• DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service

• Attackers use multiple compromised systems to flood the target with traffic

• Goal is to make the target inaccessible to its intended users

• Common types include UDP flood, ICMP flood, and SYN flood

• Examples: Mirai botnet attack on Dyn DNS in 2016, GitHub DDoS attack in 2018

OSI layer refers to the Open Systems Interconnection model, a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers.

• The OSI model helps in understanding how different networking protocols and technologies interact with each other.

• Each layer in the OSI model has specific functions and communicates with the adjacent layers.

• Examples of OSI layers include Physical Layer, Data Link Layer, Network Layer, Transport...read more

Different types of attacks include phishing, malware, DDoS, and social engineering.

• Phishing: fraudulent emails or websites to trick users into revealing sensitive information

• Malware: malicious software designed to harm or exploit a computer system

• DDoS: Distributed Denial of Service attacks overwhelm a system with traffic, causing it to crash

• Social engineering: manipulating individuals into divulging confidential information

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

• The Cyber kill chain consists of seven stages: reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, installation, command and control, and actions on objectives.

• Each stage represents a different phase of the attack, with the ultimate goal of achieving the attacker's objectives.

• By understanding the Cyber kill chain, organizations can better defend a...read more

Types of attacks include malware, phishing, DDoS, ransomware, and insider threats.

• Malware attacks involve malicious software that can harm systems or steal data.

• Phishing attacks use deceptive emails or websites to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

• DDoS attacks flood a network or server with traffic to disrupt service.

• Ransomware attacks encrypt data and demand payment for decryption.

• Insider threats involve malicious actions by individuals within an organization.

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

• Developed by MITRE Corporation

• Provides a comprehensive list of tactics and techniques used by adversaries during cyber attacks

• Used by cybersecurity professionals to improve threat detection and response

• Helps organizations understand and defend against common attack patterns

• Example: Credential Dumping is a technique in the MITRE ATT&CK framework

Company X experienced a data breach due to a phishing attack on employee email accounts.

• Phishing attack targeted employee email accounts

• Sensitive data such as customer information or financial records may have been compromised

• Company X is working on improving cybersecurity measures to prevent future breaches

TCP is connection-oriented, reliable, and slower. UDP is connectionless, unreliable, and faster.

• TCP is connection-oriented, meaning a connection is established before data is sent.

• TCP is reliable, as it ensures all data is received in the correct order.

• TCP is slower than UDP due to the overhead of establishing a connection and error-checking.

• UDP is connectionless, meaning data can be sent without establishing a connection.

• UDP is unreliable, as it does not guarantee delivery o...read more

IDS stands for Intrusion Detection System and IPS stands for Intrusion Prevention System. Both are security measures but IDS only detects threats while IPS also actively blocks them.

• IDS (Intrusion Detection System) detects and monitors network traffic for suspicious activity but does not actively prevent attacks.

• IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) not only detects threats but also takes action to block or prevent them from causing harm.

• IDS is like a security camera that alerts ...read more

This question is likely asking about the reason code 4625 for a login failure.

• 4625 is the event ID for a failed login attempt in Windows systems

• It could indicate a user entering incorrect credentials or an account being locked out

• Common reasons for event 4625 include mistyped passwords, expired accounts, or disabled accounts