Security Engineer Interview Questions
Can you describe a cybersecurity incident you have resolved in the past and explain the steps you took to mitigate risk?
Example answer:
In a previous role, I encountered a massive, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack. I identified the attack vectors through real-time monitoring and log analysis, implemented rate limiting, and deployed additional firewall rules to mitigate the attack. Post-incident, I led a review that resulted in an enhanced DDoS mitigation strategy, including better traffic analysis and response plans.
How do you manage and secure Microsoft environments, specifically with MS Defender products across different platforms, such as O365, cloud, and identity management?
Example answer:
I have managed Microsoft environments by leveraging MS Defender across various platforms. For example, in O365, I ensured the configuration of Defender for Office 365 against phishing and malware. For cloud environments, I implemented Defender for Cloud to secure Azure services, and integrated Defender for Identity to protect against identity-based threats.
Explain how you have utilized the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) framework in a previous role to improve a security posture. Can you provide a specific example of a policy or procedure you developed based on NIST guidelines?
Example answer:
At my previous job, I integrated the NIST Cybersecurity Framework by aligning our security policies with its core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. I developed an incident response strategy that reduced our mean time to detect and respond to incidents by 30%, significantly enhancing our resilience to cyber threats.
Can you give an example of a security policy you wrote?
Example answer:
I led the build of a new data encryption policy that required the use of AES-256 encryption for data at rest. It also required the organization to use TLS 1.2 or higher for data in transit. I also helped ensure we remained compliant by holding quarterly training sessions with the team and used continuous monitoring solutions to ensure everyone was following the policy.
How do you administer and monitor security profiles and policies?
Example answer:
I review access to ensure only the minimum amount of access needed to perform a function or task is used. I also use tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) to monitor and analyze security logs and aggregate this data in a centralized dashboard. In my last role, I led an investigation team that investigated policy and access violations.
