Security Engineer

100+ Security Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 24 Jul 2025
search-icon

Asked in Synopsys

5d ago

Q. 1. What is Cryptography? Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing information and communication mainly to protect the data from third parties that the data is not intended for. 2. What...

read more
Ans.

Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing information and communication.

  • Cryptography is used to protect data from unauthorized access.

  • It involves techniques such as encryption and decryption.

  • Common encryption algorithms include DES, 3DES, AES, and RC4.

  • Asymmetric encryption uses different keys for encryption and decryption, while symmetric encryption uses the same key.

  • Cryptography is essential for ensuring data confidentiality and integrity.

Asked in Accenture

2d ago

Q. Give a practical example of Broken Authentication & authorisation? How u will exploit that?

Ans.

Broken authentication & authorization is when an attacker gains access to a user's account or system without proper credentials.

  • An attacker can exploit this by guessing or stealing a user's login credentials.

  • They can also use brute force attacks to crack weak passwords.

  • Another way is to exploit vulnerabilities in the authentication process, such as session hijacking or cookie theft.

  • Once the attacker gains access, they can steal sensitive data, modify or delete data, or perfor...read more

Security Engineer Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

illustration image

Q. What is more important to you: procedure or end goal?

Ans.

End goal is more important as it drives the overall direction and success of a project.

  • End goal provides a clear vision and purpose for the project

  • Procedures are important for achieving the end goal efficiently

  • Flexibility in procedures may be necessary to adapt to changing circumstances

  • Examples: In cybersecurity, the end goal of protecting sensitive data may require constantly evolving procedures to combat new threats

Q. What standards are used for security testing of APIs and Web Applications?

Ans.

OWASP is a standard used for security testing of APIs and Web Applications

  • OWASP Top 10 is a widely recognized standard for web application security

  • OWASP API Security Top 10 provides guidelines for securing APIs

  • OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is a popular tool for testing web application security

Are these interview questions helpful?

Q. Which technologies or languages do you have knowledge about?

Ans.

I have knowledge in technologies such as Python, Java, C++, Linux, and network security.

  • Python

  • Java

  • C++

  • Linux

  • Network Security

Asked in Tata Elxsi

6d ago

Q. What are some of the vulnerabilities during web application penetration testing?

Ans.

Vulnerabilities in web application penetration testing

  • Injection flaws (SQL, LDAP, etc.)

  • Cross-site scripting (XSS)

  • Broken authentication and session management

  • Insecure direct object references

  • Security misconfiguration

  • Sensitive data exposure

  • Insufficient logging and monitoring

Security Engineer Jobs

Ford India Private Limited logo
Security Engineer - DevSecOps 7-10 years
Ford India Private Limited
4.3
Chennai
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) logo
Automotive Cybersecurity Engineer 3-8 years
Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
3.9
Pune
Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd logo
Security Engineer 15-20 years
Accenture Solutions Pvt Ltd
3.7
Pune

Asked in Accenture

3d ago

Q. What is your approach to Web Application Penetration Testing (WAPT)?

Ans.

Our WAPT approach involves a comprehensive testing methodology to identify and address vulnerabilities in web applications.

  • We use a combination of automated and manual testing techniques

  • We prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact

  • We work closely with development teams to ensure timely remediation

  • We conduct regular retesting to ensure vulnerabilities have been properly addressed

Asked in Accenture

4d ago

Q. Explain the scenario & What u do with CSRF Vulnerability

Ans.

CSRF vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions on behalf of a user without their consent.

  • CSRF attacks can be prevented by implementing CSRF tokens

  • The token is generated by the server and included in the form or URL

  • When the form is submitted, the token is verified to ensure it matches the one generated by the server

  • If the token is invalid, the request is rejected

  • CSRF vulnerabilities can be exploited to perform actions such as changing passwords, making purchases, or de...read more

Share interview questions and help millions of jobseekers 🌟

man-with-laptop

Asked in BT Business

3d ago

Q. What is the difference between zone protection DoS and DoS attack rule?

Ans.

Zone protection DoS is a feature that protects against DoS attacks by limiting traffic to specific zones, while DoS attack rule is a specific rule that detects and blocks DoS attacks.

  • Zone protection DoS limits traffic to specific zones to prevent DoS attacks

  • DoS attack rule detects and blocks DoS attacks based on specific rules

  • Zone protection DoS is a proactive measure while DoS attack rule is a reactive measure

  • Zone protection DoS can be configured to limit traffic based on so...read more

Asked in Accenture

1d ago

Q. How can a broken authorization vulnerability be exploited?

Ans.

Broken authorization vulnerability can be extended by exploiting other vulnerabilities or by using stolen credentials.

  • Exploiting other vulnerabilities such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting to gain unauthorized access

  • Using stolen credentials to bypass authorization checks

  • Exploiting misconfigured access controls to gain elevated privileges

  • Using brute force attacks to guess valid credentials

  • Exploiting session management vulnerabilities to hijack user sessions

Asked in Saint-Gobain

4d ago

Q. What are the security threats of hard-coded secrets in your code?

Ans.

Hard-coded secrets in code pose security threats such as exposure of sensitive information, potential unauthorized access, and difficulty in rotating credentials.

  • Exposure of sensitive information: Hard-coded secrets can be easily accessed by anyone with access to the code, leading to potential data breaches.

  • Potential unauthorized access: If hard-coded secrets are compromised, attackers can gain unauthorized access to systems, databases, or other sensitive resources.

  • Difficulty...read more

Asked in Saint-Gobain

6d ago

Q. What Python libraries are used for Excel file handling?

Ans.

Some python libraries used for excel file handling are openpyxl, pandas, xlrd, xlwt.

  • openpyxl is a library to read/write Excel 2010 xlsx/xlsm/xltx/xltm files.

  • pandas provides data structures and functions to work with structured data, including Excel files.

  • xlrd is used for reading data and formatting information from Excel files.

  • xlwt is used for writing data and formatting information to Excel files.

Asked in Accenture

5d ago

Q. What types of vulnerabilities are there?

Ans.

There are various types of vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, buffer overflow, etc.

  • SQL injection: attackers inject malicious SQL code to gain unauthorized access to the database

  • Cross-site scripting: attackers inject malicious scripts into a website to steal user data

  • Buffer overflow: attackers exploit a program's buffer to execute malicious code

  • Other types include CSRF, DoS, and privilege escalation

  • Vulnerabilities can exist in software, hardware, and ...read more

Asked in Amazon

6d ago

Q. Explain answers if you have come across any security attack how did you identify the issue, how did you fix, what action have you taken. Dont just give bookie’s answer If they ask what is xss then just dont ans...

read more
Ans.

I once encountered an XSS attack on a web application I was working on.

  • Identified the attack through unusual script tags in user input fields

  • Fixed the issue by implementing input validation and encoding user input

  • Learned the importance of sanitizing user input to prevent XSS attacks

  • Took action by conducting a security audit of the entire application

  • Implemented security best practices to prevent future attacks

Q. What are some mitigations for SQL injection?

Ans.

Mitigations for SQL injection include input validation, parameterized queries, stored procedures, and least privilege access.

  • Implement input validation to ensure only expected data is accepted

  • Use parameterized queries to separate SQL code from user input

  • Utilize stored procedures to encapsulate SQL logic and prevent direct user input execution

  • Follow the principle of least privilege to restrict database access rights

Asked in Accenture

1d ago

Q. What types of mobile applications have you tested?

Ans.

I have tested various types of mobile applications including social media, e-commerce, and banking apps.

  • I have tested social media apps like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

  • I have tested e-commerce apps like Amazon, Flipkart, and eBay

  • I have tested banking apps like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo

Q. What is the difference between vulnerability assessment and penetration testing?

Ans.

Vulnerability assessment identifies vulnerabilities, while penetration testing exploits them to determine the impact.

  • Vulnerability assessment is a non-intrusive process that identifies vulnerabilities in a system or network.

  • Penetration testing is an intrusive process that exploits vulnerabilities to determine the impact on the system or network.

  • Vulnerability assessment is usually automated and performed regularly to identify new vulnerabilities.

  • Penetration testing is usually ...read more

Q. What is your forte in security?

Ans.

My forte in security lies in network security, penetration testing, and incident response.

  • Specialize in network security protocols and technologies

  • Skilled in conducting penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities

  • Experienced in responding to security incidents and mitigating risks

  • Certifications such as CISSP, CEH, or OSCP demonstrate expertise

Asked in Accenture

3d ago

Q. What are secure software development frameworks? Which have you worked on?

Ans.

Secure software development frameworks are methodologies used to develop software with security in mind.

  • Secure software development frameworks are designed to integrate security into the software development process

  • They provide guidelines and best practices for secure coding, testing, and deployment

  • Examples include Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle (SDL), OWASP's Software Assurance Maturity Model (SAMM), and NIST's Secure Software Development Framework (SSDF)

Asked in Accenture

2d ago

Q. Explain one of the vulnerabilities from the OWASP API top 10.

Ans.

Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA) is a vulnerability where an attacker can access unauthorized data by manipulating object references.

  • BOLA occurs when an application fails to enforce proper access controls on object references.

  • Attackers can exploit BOLA to access sensitive data or functionality by manipulating object references.

  • Examples of BOLA include accessing other users' data, modifying data that should be read-only, and accessing administrative functions without p...read more

Asked in Accenture

6d ago

Q. Write a SQL payload, other than basic, and explain it.

Ans.

SQL Payload to extract sensitive data from a database

  • Use UNION SELECT to combine data from different tables

  • Use subqueries to extract specific data

  • Use SQL injection to bypass authentication and access data

  • Use ORDER BY to sort data in a specific way and extract specific data

  • Use GROUP BY to group data and extract specific data

Asked in Accenture

2d ago

Q. Which kind of API have you tested?

Ans.

I have tested various kinds of APIs including REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and more.

  • I have experience testing REST APIs which use HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE.

  • I have also tested SOAP APIs which use XML for data exchange.

  • I have worked with GraphQL APIs which allow clients to specify the data they need.

  • I am familiar with testing APIs that use authentication and authorization mechanisms.

  • I have tested APIs that integrate with third-party services like payment gateways, social...read more

Q. How can you mitigate brute force attacks?

Ans.

Implement account lockout, use strong passwords, and implement CAPTCHA

  • Implement account lockout after a certain number of failed login attempts

  • Encourage users to use strong passwords with a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters

  • Implement CAPTCHA to prevent automated brute force attacks

  • Consider implementing rate limiting to restrict the number of login attempts within a certain time frame

Q. What is blind SQL injection?

Ans.

Blind based SQL injection is a type of SQL injection attack where the attacker sends SQL queries to the database and observes the result without actually seeing the output.

  • Attacker sends SQL queries to the database and observes the behavior of the application to determine if the query was successful or not.

  • No error messages are displayed to the attacker, making it harder to detect.

  • Time-based blind SQL injection involves sending queries that cause delays in the response time, ...read more

Q. What are the working differences between a blue team and a red team?

Ans.

Blue team focuses on defense and prevention, while red team simulates attacks to test defenses.

  • Blue team is responsible for defending against cyber threats and implementing security measures.

  • Red team simulates real-world attacks to test the effectiveness of the blue team's defenses.

  • Blue team works proactively to prevent security breaches, while red team works reactively to identify vulnerabilities.

  • Blue team focuses on monitoring, incident response, and threat intelligence, wh...read more

Asked in Accenture

6d ago

Q. What is XSS? Type of that.

Ans.

XSS stands for Cross-Site Scripting. It is a type of security vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

  • XSS attacks can be classified into three types: Stored, Reflected, and DOM-based.

  • Attackers can use XSS to steal sensitive information, such as login credentials or session tokens.

  • Preventing XSS requires input validation, output encoding, and proper use of security headers.

  • Example of an XSS attack:

2d ago

Q. javascript hoisting closure any/wait array how to duplicate string how to add to number how to add 3 number how to multiply two string how to connect to dot

Ans.

Questions on JavaScript concepts like hoisting, closure, arrays, string manipulation, and connecting dots.

  • Hoisting refers to the behavior of moving declarations to the top of the scope.

  • Closures are functions that have access to variables in their outer scope.

  • Arrays are used to store multiple values in a single variable.

  • To duplicate a string, use the 'repeat' method or concatenate the string with itself.

  • To add to a number, use the '+' operator.

  • To add three numbers, use the '+'...read more

Asked in Accenture

2d ago

Q. What have you done in API Security?

Ans.

Implemented various security measures in API development and testing.

  • Implemented authentication and authorization mechanisms such as OAuth2 and JWT.

  • Implemented rate limiting and throttling to prevent DDoS attacks.

  • Implemented input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks.

  • Conducted API penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and remediate them.

  • Implemented encryption and decryption mechanisms to protect sensitive data in transit and at rest.

Asked in BT Business

3d ago

Q. What is the difference between DoS zone protection and a DoS attack rule?

Ans.

DoS zone protection and DoS attack rule are two different methods to prevent DoS attacks.

  • DoS zone protection is a feature that blocks traffic from a specific IP address or subnet if it exceeds a certain threshold.

  • DoS attack rule is a security policy that identifies and blocks traffic patterns that are indicative of a DoS attack.

  • DoS zone protection is a proactive measure that prevents traffic from reaching the target, while DoS attack rule is a reactive measure that blocks tra...read more

Asked in FICO

5d ago

Q. How would you handle a DDoS attack on an Apache server in AWS?

Ans.

I would mitigate a DDoS attack on an Apache server in AWS by implementing various security measures and utilizing AWS services.

  • Implementing rate limiting and access control lists to filter out malicious traffic

  • Utilizing AWS Shield for DDoS protection

  • Scaling up the server capacity to handle the increased traffic

  • Monitoring server logs and traffic patterns to identify and block suspicious activity

  • Utilizing AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall) to filter out malicious requests

1
2
3
4
Next

Interview Experiences of Popular Companies

TCS Logo
3.6
 • 11.2k Interviews
Accenture Logo
3.7
 • 8.7k Interviews
Infosys Logo
3.6
 • 8k Interviews
Wipro Logo
3.7
 • 6.1k Interviews
Amazon Logo
4.0
 • 5.4k Interviews
View all
Interview Tips & Stories
Interview Tips & Stories
Ace your next interview with expert advice and inspiring stories
Security Engineer Interview Questions
Share an Interview
Stay ahead in your career. Get AmbitionBox app
play-icon
play-icon
qr-code
Trusted by over 1.5 Crore job seekers to find their right fit company
80 L+

Reviews

10L+

Interviews

4 Cr+

Salaries

1.5 Cr+

Users

Contribute to help millions

Made with ❤️ in India. Trademarks belong to their respective owners. All rights reserved © 2025 Info Edge (India) Ltd.

Follow Us
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Profile Image
Hello, Guest
AmbitionBox Employee Choice Awards 2025
Winners announced!
awards-icon
Contribute to help millions!
Write a review
Write a review
Share interview
Share interview
Contribute salary
Contribute salary
Add office photos
Add office photos
Add office benefits
Add office benefits