Cyber Security is one of the highly demanded careers in the IT field now. Due to the increase in cyber-attacks and online theft, demand for cybersecurity engineers also be high in 2023. So if you are planning to become a cyber security engineer this article will cover 20 Important cyber security interview questions and answers to practice.

So before getting into the questions and answers let’s first understand What is cybersecurity? and What is the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world?.

What is Cyber Security?

Cybersecurity is the practice of defending systems, servers, and devices from online attacks or It is protecting confidential data or Companies from a malicious attack. Cybersecurity helps to protect computer devices and networks from unauthorized access from a malicious attack.

There are different types of security some of which are mentioned below

• Network security
• Information security
• Application security

What is the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world?

Cyber security plays a greater role in today’s world. Due to the increase in cyber-attacks and online theft nowadays cyber security plays a greater role to prevent this action and to protect companies and people from this type of malicious practice.

Some of the important points of why cybersecurity is important are mentioned below.

• Cyber attacks are increasing nowadays
• Increase in Data Breach
• Cybersecurity protects sensitive information and personal data from unauthorized access, theft, and damage.
• It helps ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems.
• Cyberattacks can result in financial losses, disruption of business operations, and damage to reputation.
• As reliance on technology and the internet continues to grow, the threat of cyberattacks becomes increasingly prevalent.

19 Cyber Security Interview questions and answers

1) What is meant by cybersecurity?

In simple words cybersecurity refers to the practice of defending systems, servers, and networks from unauthorized access or any other forms of a malicious attack. This includes measures to prevent cyber attacks, data breaches, and the unauthorized use of sensitive information. Cybersecurity encompasses a wide range of technologies, processes, and practices aimed at safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

Some examples of Cybersecurity are

• Antivirus software: Antivirus software helps to protect a computer or network from viruses and other types of malware.
• Firewall: A firewall is a network security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
• Two-factor authentication (2FA): Two-factor authentication is a security process that requires a user to provide two forms of identification, typically a password and a security token, to access a system or website.
• Encryption: Encryption is a process of converting plain text into a coded language that can only be deciphered with the correct key.
• Virtual private network (VPN): A virtual private network (VPN) provides secure and encrypted communication over a public network by creating a private network within a public network.

2) What is the importance of cybersecurity?

Nowadays cyber attacks and online theft are increasing so cybersecurity is important because it helps to protect sensitive information and personal data from unauthorized access, theft, and damage, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems.

3) What are the types of cyber threats?

The types of cyber threats include viruses, malware, phishing attacks, ransomware, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and unauthorized access.

4) What is a phishing attack?

A phishing attack is a type of cyberattack where the attacker impersonates a trusted entity to trick the user into giving up sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, or other personal data.

5) What is malware?

Malware is short for malicious software and refers to any software that is intentionally designed to cause harm to a computer system or network.

6) What is a virus?

A virus is a type of malware that is designed to replicate itself and spread from one computer to another, causing harm to computer systems and networks.

7) What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a user’s files and demands payment in exchange for the decryption key.

8) What is a denial-of-service (DoS) attack?

A denial-of-service (DoS) attack is a type of cyberattack that makes a network or website unavailable by overwhelming it with traffic from multiple sources.

9) What is a firewall?

A firewall is a network security system that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and allows or blocks traffic based on a set of predefined security rules. Firewalls are used to prevent unauthorized access to computer systems and networks, and to protect against cyber attacks.

10) What is encryption?

Encryption is the process of encoding data to prevent unauthorized access or use. Encryption is used to protect sensitive information, such as passwords, financial information, and confidential documents, from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.

11) What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that requires two forms of identification to access a system, network, or online account. The two forms of identification may include a password and a code sent to a mobile device, a fingerprint, or a security token. 2FA is used to prevent unauthorized access and to ensure that only authorized individuals are able to access sensitive information.

12) What is a strong password?

A strong password is a complex and unique combination of characters that is difficult for others to guess or crack.

13) What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a systematic process of evaluating the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with a system or network, and taking measures to mitigate or manage those risks.

14) What is a security audit?

A security audit is a comprehensive review of a system or network to identify and evaluate its security posture and make recommendations for improvement.

15) What is a penetration test?

A penetration test, also known as a pen test, is a simulated cyberattack on a system or network to identify and evaluate its vulnerabilities and security weaknesses.

16) What is incident response?

Incident response is the process of responding to a cybersecurity incident, such as a cyberattack, in a systematic and effective manner to minimize the impact and damage.

17) What is social engineering?

Social engineering is a type of cyber attack that involves tricking or manipulating individuals into giving up sensitive information or making them perform a specific action.

18) What is end-to-end encryption?

End-to-end encryption is a method of securing communication by encrypting messages from the sender’s device to the recipient’s device so that only the sender and recipient can access the data.

19) What is the importance of software updates?

Keeping software up-to-date is important for several reasons. First, software updates often include security patches that address known vulnerabilities. By updating software, individuals and organizations can prevent cyber criminals from exploiting known vulnerabilities and causing harm to their systems. Second, software updates often include new features and improvements that can enhance the overall user experience. By keeping software up-to-date, individuals and organizations can ensure that they are using the latest and most secure version of the software.