Ever thought about diving into the world of cybersecurity? Well, buckle up because it’s not just a job—it’s a career path that’s booming like crazy. According to the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), the demand for cybersecurity professionals in India is skyrocketing. They’re predicting a need for a whopping 64,000 of us. And guess what? That’s just the beginning. By 2025, we’re talking about a demand that’s set to explode to 10 lakh employees!
Now, why the sudden surge, you ask? Well, in this digital age where everything from your morning coffee order to your bank details is online, keeping it all safe is kind of a big deal. Cyber threats are evolving faster than ever, and everyone, from big corporations to your grandma’s cat videos, is at risk.
So, if you’ve got a knack for problem-solving, a love for tech, and a passion for keeping things secure, this field might just be calling your name. But here’s the thing: getting into cybersecurity isn’t just about acquiring your tech skills. You’ve gotta be ready to face those cyber security interview questions like a pro.
These interviews? They’re not just about your textbook knowledge. They’re about showing you can handle the heat when faced with real-world scenarios. Think: how would you handle a data breach or thwart a phishing attack?
But hey, don’t stress! Prepping for these interviews is all about getting your hands dirty (not literally, of course). Dive into those cybersecurity basics, understand the latest threats, get cosy with encryption, and know your way around network security like the back of your hand.
So, gear up, dive into those cyber security interview questions, and get ready to lock down a career that’s not just in demand; it’s crucial for our digital world’s safety.
Table of Contents:
Cyber Security Interview Questions for Freshers
The primary objective of cybersecurity is to protect digital systems, networks, devices, and data from unauthorised access, attacks, damage, and other security breaches. This field aims to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in the digital realm.
In essence, cybersecurity seeks to safeguard:
Cybersecurity employs various strategies, technologies, practices, and measures to defend against a wide range of cyber threats, including malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, data breaches, insider threats, and more. The ultimate goal is to create a secure digital environment where individuals, organisations, and systems can operate safely and effectively.
Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques used to secure communication and data, protecting information from unauthorised access or alteration. It involves the conversion of plaintext (readable data) into ciphertext (encoded, unintelligible data) using various algorithms and keys. The primary goals of cryptography include confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation.
There are two main types of cryptography:
Cryptography plays a pivotal role in ensuring secure communication over networks, securing transactions, protecting sensitive data, and enabling secure authentication mechanisms. It forms the backbone of various security protocols, including SSL/TLS for secure web browsing, digital signatures for authentication, VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), and more.
In cybersecurity, the terms threat, vulnerability, and risk are interconnected but represent distinct concepts:
In short, a threat is a potential danger, a vulnerability is a weakness that can be exploited by a threat, and risk is the estimation of the potential impact or harm that may occur if a threat successfully exploits a vulnerability. Managing cybersecurity involves identifying and addressing vulnerabilities to mitigate risks posed by various threats.
Aspect |
Intrusion Detection System (IDS) |
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) |
Function |
Monitors network traffic and system activities for suspicious behaviour or known attack patterns. |
Monitors network traffic and system activities for threats and actively blocks or prevents them. |
Response to Threats |
Detects and raises alerts or log entries to notify security personnel about potential threats or breaches. |
Actively intervenes by automatically taking actions to prevent or block identified threats in real time. |
Action Taken |
Does not take direct action to prevent or halt threats; relies on human intervention for further investigation and response. |
Takes immediate and automated actions, such as blocking malicious traffic, resetting connections, or applying predefined rules, to prevent threats from progressing. |
Nature |
Passive monitoring system. |
Active control system. |
Role |
Notifies about potential threats |
Actively prevents and blocks threats. |
Emphasis |
Detection and alerting. |
Prevention and immediate response. |
Human Intervention |
Required for further investigation and response based on alerts. |
Minimal, as automated actions are taken in real-time. |
A DoS (Denial of Service) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a network, system, or service, making it inaccessible to legitimate users by overwhelming it with a flood of illegitimate traffic or exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities. There are different types of DoS attacks:
Preventing or mitigating DoS attacks involves a combination of proactive measures:
Have a well-defined incident response plan to quickly respond and mitigate the impact of a DoS attack if it occurs. Maintain backups and disaster recovery plans to minimise downtime and data loss.
By combining these preventive measures and maintaining a proactive stance towards monitoring and response, organisations can significantly reduce the risk and impact of DoS attacks on their networks and services.
Cyber Security Interview Questions for Intermediate
The following steps are taken to gain unauthorised access to a server or network:
SQL injection is a cyber attack that targets databases through malicious input in a web application’s input fields. It occurs when an attacker inserts or “injects” SQL code into input fields, tricking the application into executing unintended SQL commands.
This exploit takes advantage of vulnerabilities in poorly sanitised user inputs, allowing attackers to manipulate database queries and potentially gain unauthorised access to the database. SQL injection can lead to data leakage, modification, or deletion, and in severe cases, it can provide attackers with control over the entire database server.
The Zero Trust security model is built on the premise of mistrust. It assumes that threats can originate from both outside and inside the network, therefore advocating for a stringent security approach that verifies and authenticates every access request and device, regardless of its location—inside or outside the traditional network perimeter.
Here are the key principles of the zero-trust security model:
By embracing these principles, Zero Trust aims to enhance cybersecurity by creating a more resilient and proactive defence posture, mitigating risks associated with assumed trust, and significantly reducing the likelihood and impact of potential security breaches.
The proxy firewall oversees application-level data by employing a firewall proxy server. This server initiates and manages a procedure on the firewall, mimicking services as though they were operational on the end host.
Within the application layer, various protocols exist, such as HTTP (used for sending and receiving web pages) and SMTP (facilitating email communication on the Internet). A proxy server, like the Web Proxy Server, operates akin to an emulation of the behaviour exhibited by the HTTP service. Likewise, the FTP proxy server replicates the functionality of the FTP service.
Cyber Security Interview Questions for Experienced
Host-based Intrusion Detection Systems (HIDS) and Network-based Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) serve distinct purposes in cybersecurity:
HIDS focuses on the individual host, treating it as its own entity within the larger network. It operates on standalone systems like computers or servers, analysing and monitoring their internal activities. By scrutinising incoming and outgoing files or data, HIDS compares current system states with previously captured snapshots of the file system. Any divergence from these snapshots could indicate a potential security breach or attack on the host.
On the other hand, NIDS operates at various installation points across the network, irrespective of specific hosts. It functions in diverse environments, including mixed or hybrid setups like networks, clouds, or interconnected systems. NIDS is vigilant for signs of malicious or anomalous behaviour within the network. Upon detection, it triggers alerts to notify administrators of potential threats within the network environment.
Blowfish, developed by Bruce Schneier in 1993, emerged as an alternative encryption technique to DES. It offers notably enhanced speed compared to DES and maintains exceptional encryption capabilities without any known effective cryptanalysis methods to date. Notably, it was among the pioneering secure block cyphers that were patent-free, ensuring unrestricted access for all users.
Key aspects of Blowfish include:
Wrapping Up
In a world where our lives are increasingly intertwined with technology, the significance of cybersecurity cannot be overstated. It’s the shield protecting our digital existence, safeguarding everything from personal data to critical infrastructure. As the demand for cybersecurity professionals skyrockets, the need for skilled and adept individuals in this field has never been more pressing.
This is where the Certificate Program in Cybersecurity Essentials & Risk Assessment at Hero Vired steps in, equipping aspiring professionals with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to combat the ever-evolving cyber threats. By empowering individuals with top-notch education and practical training, Hero Vired is not just training experts, it’s nurturing defenders of our digital world, securing our present and shaping a safer, more resilient future for us all.
Explain the XSS attack and how to prevent it.
What is an ARP, and how does it work?
What is port blocking within LAN?
What protocols fall under the TCP/IP internet layer?
What is a Botnet?
What are salted hashes?
Explain SSL and TLS.
What is data protection in transit vs data protection at rest?
You may also like
Carefully gathered content to add value to and expand your knowledge horizons