Here are 10 commonly asked interview questions and their answers in the field of cybersecurity:
1. What is the difference between Symmetric and Asymmetric encryption?
Answer:
- Symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption. It is faster but less secure if the key is compromised. Examples include AES and DES.
- Asymmetric encryption uses a pair of keys – one public and one private. The public key encrypts data, while the private key decrypts it. It's more secure but slower. Examples include RSA and ECC.
2. What is a firewall and how does it work?
Answer: A firewall is a network security device that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It works by allowing or blocking data packets based on criteria such as IP addresses, protocols, or ports to protect systems from unauthorized access.
3. What are some common types of cyberattacks?
Answer:
- Phishing: Fraudulent attempts to steal sensitive information, often via email.
- DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service): Overwhelming a server with traffic to render it unavailable.
- Man-in-the-Middle (MitM): Intercepting communication between two parties to steal or manipulate data.
- Ransomware: Malware that encrypts data and demands payment for its release.
4. What is the CIA Triad in cybersecurity?
Answer: The CIA Triad stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability:
- Confidentiality: Ensures sensitive information is accessible only to authorized users.
- Integrity: Ensures that data is accurate and has not been tampered with.
- Availability: Ensures that information and systems are accessible when needed.
5. What is multi-factor authentication (MFA), and why is it important?
Answer: Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring two or more verification factors to gain access to a resource, such as a password and a one-time code sent to a mobile device. It reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access even if one factor (like a password) is compromised.
6. What is the purpose of penetration testing in cybersecurity?
Answer: Penetration testing (or pen testing) is a simulated cyberattack on a system to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. It helps organizations understand weaknesses in their defenses and enables them to fix issues before attackers exploit them.
7. What are Zero-day vulnerabilities?
Answer: Zero-day vulnerabilities are security flaws in software that are unknown to the vendor or developer. Since no official patch or fix exists at the time of discovery, they are highly valuable to hackers and pose significant risks until they are resolved.
8. What is social engineering, and how can you prevent it?
Answer: Social engineering is a manipulation technique where attackers trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or performing actions that compromise security (e.g., clicking malicious links or sharing passwords). Prevention involves user education, awareness programs, and verifying the authenticity of requests before taking action.
9. What is the difference between IDS and IPS?
Answer:
- IDS (Intrusion Detection System) monitors network traffic for suspicious activity and raises alerts when potential threats are detected but does not take action to block it.
- IPS (Intrusion Prevention System), on the other hand, actively blocks or prevents suspicious activity from entering the network once detected.
10. What is two-factor authentication (2FA), and how does it improve security?
Answer: Two-factor authentication (2FA) requires two different forms of authentication to verify a user's identity, such as something the user knows (password) and something the user has (a code sent to their phone). It adds an additional layer of security by making it harder for attackers to access accounts, even if passwords are compromised.