Cyber Security Job Interview Q&As

 

The first point to remember when stepping into an interview for a cyber security role is to be authentic. Any good interviewer will know when someone is pandering to them rather than offering a genuine representation of their potential. The second point is to really think about what you’re being asked. Don’t try and give the interviewer what you think they want; think about the question and how it relates to you. Convey that in your response. Third, be direct, clear and concise.

The screening process for candidates applying for jobs in cyber security is relatively brief so you need to make a positive impression in the first five minutes.

Interviewers are interested in seeing that you’re able to demonstrate you have the knowledge or skillset they require for the position. Use every one of your answers to show them why you’re the person for the job. Make sure you have practical examples from your current and previous roles which are directly relevant to what you are being asked about.

By now you know to expect questions around your technical know-how, your take on a home network, your proficiency with programming languages, your internal encyclopaedia of technical tools and terms. So we’ve selected three pertinent questions that are equally important for you to really prepare ahead of your interview for an opportunity in cyber security.

 

Q: Can you tell me about a particular challenge you have faced when working on a security event or incident and how you addressed and ultimately resolved it?

Your answer should demonstrate your ability to stay calm under pressure, both in answering this question and in practical eventualities of responding to a security event. If no resolution was reached then make sure you just focus on the approach you took, the strategies you used and your thought process for dealing with it.

 

Q: Information security and cyber security is a very vast area with multiple aspects, I’d be interested in hearing where you see your key strengths in this area and how you actively exercise those strengths in your current role?

This is your opportunity to highlight your value add. Sell yourself and explain, perhaps, what sets you apart from your fellow candidates by talking about specific initiatives or projects you’ve worked on, additional qualifications or skills you’ve mastered or responsibilities you’ve taken on that demonstrate your individual strengths in cyber security.

 

Q: In the information security space teams are often spread across the globe within different time zones, what strategies have you used to stay connected with the team to ensure there’s round the clock coverage when security issues need to be managed on an ongoing basis?

You want your answer to really reveal your awareness to the need for effective and efficient global collaboration in this day and age where business is conducted regardless of geographical distance and logistics. Particularly in the cyber security space where an incident could occur in the evening in one locality but already be affecting the data or operation of people and businesses in the early hours of the morning somewhere else. This needs to be accounted for and measures should be in place for effective teamwork to mitigate the effects of these issues.