cyber incident handler Interview Questions and Answers

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Cyber Incident Handler Interview Questions and Answers

  1. What is a cyber incident?

    • Answer: A cyber incident is any event that adversely impacts the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of an organization's information systems, data, or networks.

  2. Describe your experience handling cyber incidents.

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer based on the candidate's experience. It should include specific examples of incidents handled, roles played, tools used, and outcomes achieved. Quantifiable results are beneficial.)

  3. What are the key phases of incident response?

    • Answer: Preparation, Identification, Containment, Eradication, Recovery, and Lessons Learned.

  4. Explain the difference between malware and ransomware.

    • Answer: Malware is a broad term encompassing any malicious software. Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's data and demands a ransom for its release.

  5. What is a DDoS attack? How would you respond to one?

    • Answer: A DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack floods a target system with traffic from multiple sources, making it unavailable to legitimate users. Response involves mitigation techniques like rate limiting, blackholing, and working with the internet service provider.

  6. How do you identify the source of a cyber attack?

    • Answer: Through log analysis, network monitoring, security information and event management (SIEM) systems, and potentially digital forensics techniques.

  7. What are some common indicators of compromise (IOCs)?

    • Answer: Suspicious network traffic, unusual login attempts, unauthorized access to systems, unexpected changes in system configurations, malware signatures, and data exfiltration attempts.

  8. Explain the importance of digital forensics in incident response.

    • Answer: Digital forensics provides evidence of the attack, helps identify the attacker, and supports legal investigations.

  9. What is the role of incident response playbooks?

    • Answer: Playbooks provide a standardized, documented procedure for handling incidents, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

  10. How do you prioritize incidents?

    • Answer: Based on factors like the impact on the business, the criticality of affected systems, and the potential for escalation.

  11. What is your experience with SIEM systems?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer based on the candidate's experience with specific SIEM systems, their functionalities, and how they were used in incident response.)

  12. Describe your experience with vulnerability management.

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer detailing experience with vulnerability scanning tools, patching processes, and risk assessment methodologies.)

  13. What are your experience with penetration testing?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer describing experience with different types of penetration tests, tools used, and reporting methodologies. Mention certifications if applicable.)

  14. How do you communicate during a cyber incident?

    • Answer: Clearly, concisely, and frequently, using appropriate communication channels for different stakeholders (technical and non-technical).

  15. What is your experience with data loss prevention (DLP) tools?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer based on the candidate's experience with specific DLP tools and their implementation.)

  16. How do you ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data during an incident?

    • Answer: Through a combination of technical controls (e.g., encryption, access controls), procedural controls (e.g., incident response plan), and physical security measures.

  17. What is your familiarity with cloud security and incident response in cloud environments?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer detailing experience with cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools, cloud-native security features, and incident response processes specific to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.)

  18. How do you handle sensitive data during an incident?

    • Answer: Following strict data handling procedures, adhering to relevant regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), and employing encryption and access controls.

  19. What is your experience with legal and regulatory compliance related to cyber incidents?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer detailing knowledge of relevant regulations and experience in documenting incidents for legal and regulatory purposes.)

  20. What is your understanding of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework?

    • Answer: (The answer should demonstrate a working knowledge of the framework's five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.)

  21. What is your experience with endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer detailing experience with specific EDR solutions, their functionalities, and how they were used in incident response.)

  22. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest cyber threats and vulnerabilities?

    • Answer: Through industry news, threat intelligence feeds, security blogs, conferences, and continuous professional development.

  23. Describe a time you failed in an incident response situation. What did you learn?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized, honest answer showcasing self-awareness and a commitment to continuous improvement.)

  24. How do you handle pressure and stress during a cyber incident?

    • Answer: Through effective time management, prioritization, teamwork, and stress-management techniques.

  25. What are your salary expectations?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized, researched answer based on the candidate's experience and the market rate.)

  26. Why are you interested in this position?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer demonstrating genuine interest in the company and the role.)

  27. What are your long-term career goals?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer demonstrating ambition and a clear career path.)

  28. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized, honest answer showcasing self-awareness.)

  29. What questions do you have for me?

    • Answer: (This should include thoughtful questions about the role, the team, the company's security posture, and future growth opportunities.)

  • What is the difference between a virus and a worm?

    • Answer: A virus needs a host program to spread, while a worm can replicate itself independently.

  • What is phishing? How can it be prevented?

    • Answer: Phishing is a social engineering attack where attackers attempt to trick users into revealing sensitive information. Prevention involves security awareness training and strong email filtering.

  • What is spear phishing?

    • Answer: Spear phishing is a more targeted form of phishing, where attackers focus on specific individuals or organizations.

  • Explain the concept of social engineering.

    • Answer: Social engineering is the art of manipulating people into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.

  • What is a zero-day exploit?

    • Answer: A zero-day exploit is an attack that takes advantage of a previously unknown vulnerability.

  • What is a rootkit?

    • Answer: A rootkit is a set of tools that allow an attacker to gain and maintain unauthorized control of a system.

  • Explain the importance of incident response documentation.

    • Answer: Documentation provides a record of the incident, aids in future investigations, and supports legal and regulatory compliance.

  • What is your experience with cryptography?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer based on the candidate's understanding of encryption algorithms, digital signatures, and key management.)

  • What is the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption?

    • Answer: Symmetric encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses separate keys.

  • What is a firewall? How does it work?

    • Answer: A firewall is a network security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predefined rules.

  • What is intrusion detection system (IDS)?

    • Answer: An IDS monitors network traffic for malicious activity and alerts administrators of suspicious events.

  • What is an intrusion prevention system (IPS)?

    • Answer: An IPS is similar to an IDS, but it can also actively block or prevent malicious traffic.

  • What are some common types of malware?

    • Answer: Viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, adware, and botnets.

  • What is a botnet?

    • Answer: A botnet is a network of compromised computers controlled by an attacker.

  • How do you handle insider threats?

    • Answer: Through a combination of security awareness training, access controls, monitoring, and investigation procedures.

  • What is data exfiltration? How can it be prevented?

    • Answer: Data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of data from a system or network. Prevention involves data loss prevention (DLP) tools and strong access controls.

  • What is your experience with log management and analysis?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer based on the candidate's experience with log management tools and their use in incident response.)

  • How do you handle a situation where you don't know the answer to a technical question during an incident?

    • Answer: I would admit I don't know, research the answer, escalate to a more experienced colleague, and document the situation.

  • What is your experience with incident response tools?

    • Answer: (This requires a personalized answer listing specific tools and experience with them.)

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