100+ Security Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

A Security Analyst is responsible for testing web applications, identifying vulnerabilities, and implementing security measures to protect against attacks.

• Testing a web application involves various techniques such as penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and code review.

• CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) is an attack that tricks a victim into performing unwanted actions on a web application.

• SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) is an attack that allows an attacker to make ...read more

Answering questions related to nmap, IP addresses, firewall, and ping scan.

• Nmap uses various protocols such as TCP, UDP, ICMP, and ARP.

• Public IP addresses are globally unique and routable on the internet, while private IP addresses are used within a private network and not routable on the internet. Private IP ranges include 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, and 192.168.0.0/16.

• To check connected devices and open ports, use the command 'nmap -sP ' and 'nmap -p ', respectively. To fil...read more

A Security Analyst's role involves managing and monitoring a Security Operations Center (SOC), preparing daily reports, integrating various log sources with SIEM, and responding to security alerts.

• SOC scenario involves monitoring network traffic, analyzing security alerts, and responding to incidents

• Daily reports include summaries of security events, incident response activities, and trend analysis

• SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) is a software solution that ag...read more

Major vulnerabilities encountered include SQL injection, phishing attacks, and outdated software.

• Encountered SQL injection vulnerability in a web application due to lack of input validation

• Fell victim to a phishing attack where employees unknowingly provided sensitive information

• Discovered outdated software with known security vulnerabilities that could be exploited

SQL injection is a code injection technique that attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities in a web application's database layer.

• SQL injection occurs when an attacker inserts malicious SQL code into a query, allowing them to manipulate the database.

• Types of SQL injection include: 1) Classic SQL injection, 2) Blind SQL injection, 3) Time-based blind SQL injection, 4) Union-based SQL injection, 5) Error-based SQL injection, 6) Boolean-based blind SQL injection.

• Example: An attack...read more

VAPT stands for Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing. It involves identifying vulnerabilities in a system and testing them.

• Vulnerability Assessment involves identifying vulnerabilities in a system through various tools and techniques.

• Penetration Testing involves simulating an attack on the system to identify vulnerabilities and test the security measures in place.

• Some common tools used for VAPT include Nmap, Nessus, Metasploit, and Wireshark.

• Port numbers are used ...read more

The OSI model is a conceptual framework used to understand network communication in seven layers.

• Layer 1: Physical - Deals with the physical connection (e.g., cables, switches).

• Layer 2: Data Link - Manages node-to-node data transfer (e.g., Ethernet).

• Layer 3: Network - Handles routing of data (e.g., IP addresses).

• Layer 4: Transport - Ensures complete data transfer (e.g., TCP, UDP).

• Layer 5: Session - Manages sessions between applications (e.g., API calls).

• Layer 6: Presentation ...read more

Packet flow in HTTP, DNS, TCP, daily work, specific products, VPNs, and Load balancers.

• HTTP packets contain request and response headers and data

• DNS packets contain queries and responses for domain name resolution

• TCP packets establish and maintain connections between hosts

• Daily work involves monitoring network traffic and identifying security threats

• Specific products may include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and antivirus software

• VPNs provide secure remote access to...read more

CSRF and XSS are both web security vulnerabilities. CSRF allows attackers to perform unwanted actions on behalf of a user, while XSS allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages.

• CSRF (Cross-Site Request Forgery) is an attack that tricks the victim into performing unwanted actions on a website without their knowledge or consent.

• XSS (Cross-Site Scripting) is an attack that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

• CSRF expl...read more

SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tool is a software solution that aggregates and analyzes security data from various sources.

• SIEM tools help in detecting and responding to security incidents in real-time.

• They provide centralized visibility into an organization's security posture.

• Examples of SIEM tools include Splunk, IBM QRadar, and ArcSight.

• I have experience using Splunk for log management and security analytics.

The interview questions cover OSI model, ethical hacking types, ICMP protocol, and footprinting.

• OSI model is a conceptual model that describes how data is transmitted over a network.

• Ethical hacking involves using hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities in a system with the owner's permission.

• Types of ethical hacking include network penetration testing, web application testing, and social engineering testing.

• ICMP protocol is used for error reporting and diagnostic purpo...read more

To exploit/test for vulnerabilities, use penetration testing tools and techniques to simulate attacks and identify weaknesses.

• Use vulnerability scanners to identify potential vulnerabilities

• Conduct penetration testing to simulate attacks and identify weaknesses

• Perform social engineering tests to assess human vulnerabilities

• Use fuzzing techniques to identify software vulnerabilities

• Conduct code reviews to identify potential vulnerabilities

• Test for security misconfigurations

• Use...read more

Firewall is a security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic. OSI is a model for network communication.

• Firewall is a hardware or software-based security system that filters network traffic based on predefined rules.

• It acts as a barrier between a trusted internal network and an untrusted external network.

• OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a model for network communication that defines a seven-layered approach to data transmission.

• Each layer...read more

A structured response to security incidents involves identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.

• Identify the incident: Assess the nature and scope of the breach, e.g., unauthorized access to sensitive data.

• Contain the breach: Isolate affected systems to prevent further damage, such as disconnecting compromised servers from the network.

• Eradicate the threat: Remove malware or vulnerabilities that led to the breach, e.g., applying patches or changing...read more

I utilize various tools and techniques for effective threat detection and prevention in cybersecurity.

• Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) like Snort for monitoring network traffic.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools such as Splunk for real-time analysis.

• Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions like CrowdStrike for endpoint security.

• Firewalls and Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) for traffic filtering and threat prevention.

• Vulnerability scanners like Nes...read more

Interactive login requires user input for authentication, while non-interactive login does not require user interaction.

• Interactive login involves user interaction such as entering a password or providing biometric data.

• Non-interactive login can be automated and does not require user input.

• Examples of interactive login include logging into a computer system with a username and password, while non-interactive login can be seen in automated scripts accessing a server without us...read more

A SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) system aggregates and analyzes security data for threat detection and response.

• Centralizes log data from various sources like firewalls, servers, and applications for comprehensive analysis.

• Utilizes correlation rules to identify patterns indicative of potential threats, such as multiple failed login attempts.

• Provides real-time alerts to security teams, enabling swift response to incidents, like detecting malware activity.

• Faci...read more

I would systematically diagnose the integration errors, analyze logs, and collaborate with teams to resolve issues efficiently.

• Identify the error: Check logs and error messages to pinpoint the issue.

• Reproduce the error: Attempt to replicate the error in a controlled environment to understand its cause.

• Check integration points: Verify that APIs, data formats, and protocols are correctly implemented.

• Collaborate with teams: Work with development and operations teams to gather in...read more

I can manage multiple alarms effectively, prioritizing based on severity and context.

• Prioritization: I assess alarms based on their severity; critical alarms are addressed immediately.

• Automation: Utilizing SIEM tools can help filter and categorize alarms, allowing me to focus on high-priority issues.

• Experience: In previous roles, I managed up to 20 alarms per minute during peak incidents by streamlining processes.

• Collaboration: Working with team members allows for quicker res...read more

A global scene change event indicates a significant alteration in the visual context of a scene, often triggering system responses.

• Generated when there is a major change in the visual environment, such as a new object entering the frame.

• Common in video surveillance systems to detect unusual activities.

• Used in computer vision applications to identify scene transitions in video streams.

• Example: A camera detects a person walking into a previously empty room, triggering an alert.

I approach a problem by analyzing the root cause, brainstorming solutions, and implementing a strategic plan.

• Identify the root cause of the problem

• Brainstorm potential solutions

• Develop a strategic plan to address the problem

• Implement the plan and monitor progress

• Adjust the plan as needed based on feedback and results

A false positive occurs when a test incorrectly indicates a condition is present, leading to potential misdiagnosis or unnecessary actions.

• In cybersecurity, a false positive might occur when an antivirus software flags a legitimate file as malware.

• Example: A network intrusion detection system alerts on normal traffic patterns due to overly sensitive settings.

• False positives can lead to wasted resources, such as time spent investigating non-issues.

• Identifying false positives i...read more

Black box testing involves testing an application without knowledge of its internal workings.

• Identify inputs and expected outputs

• Test for boundary conditions and error handling

• Use techniques like equivalence partitioning and decision tables

• Focus on user interface and user experience

• Use automated tools for efficiency

To troubleshoot logs stopped from a device on port 514 UDP, check firewall settings, network connectivity, and device configurations.

• Check firewall settings to ensure port 514 UDP is allowed for logging traffic

• Verify network connectivity between the device and the logging server

• Review device configurations to ensure logging is properly configured and enabled

Tools used for testing and difference between IP and MAC address

• Tools used for testing include vulnerability scanners, penetration testing tools, network analyzers, and forensic tools

• IP address is a unique identifier assigned to a device on a network, while MAC address is a unique identifier assigned to the network interface controller of a device

• IP address is used for routing traffic on the internet, while MAC address is used for communication within a local network

• IP addres...read more

I will isolate the server, identify the malware, remove it, and restore the server from a clean backup.

• Isolate the server from the network to prevent further spread of the malware

• Identify the malware using antivirus software or malware analysis tools

• Remove the malware using appropriate removal tools or manual removal techniques

• Restore the server from a clean backup to ensure all traces of the malware are removed

• Implement additional security measures to prevent future malware ...read more

5GHz offers faster speeds, less interference, and more channels compared to 2.4GHz.

• 5GHz provides faster data transfer speeds compared to 2.4GHz, making it ideal for high-bandwidth activities like streaming HD video or online gaming.

• 5GHz has less interference from other devices like microwaves and cordless phones that operate on the 2.4GHz frequency.

• 5GHz offers more available channels, reducing the likelihood of congestion and improving overall network performance.

• Devices that...read more