instruction: What is a public key?

output: A public key is a cryptographic key that is used to encrypt data that can only be decrypted with a corresponding private key.


instruction: What is the information leak, and what causes it?

output: Unapproved transmission of data to an independent event or destination from within an organization is known as information leaks. The many contributing factors to the data leakage are: Failing passwords, Robbing corporate assets, Hackers' exploitation of vulnerabilities, Ransomware emails, Brutal attacks, Loss of red tape, Phishing, System faults or configuration errors, Lack of safety features for shared drives and documents, Unreliable backup


instruction: What is a cloud-based managed security service provider (MSSP)?

output: A cloud-based MSSP is a third-party provider that offers cloud-based security services, such as monitoring and incident response, to customers.


instruction: What is a cloud-based cloud security posture management (CSPM)?

output: Cloud-based CSPM is a solution that provides visibility and control over cloud security posture to identify and remediate security risks.


instruction: What specific security controls might you implement to protect an AI model's hyperparameters from unauthorized tampering?

output: One critical safeguard is restricting access to the configuration files or scripts defining hyperparameters through role-based access control (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication. Cryptographically, signing hyperparameter files helps ensure their integrity, so any unauthorized alterations trigger an alarm. Creating a robust logging and monitoring infrastructure also flags real-time suspicious changes. Versioning each hyperparameter set and checksums further strengthens security by making unauthorized modifications immediately visible. In high-stakes environments, integrating hardware security modules (HSMs) or employing secure enclaves to manage sensitive data adds an extra safeguard for preserving the integrity of hyperparameters.


instruction: Can you walk me through how SSL/TLS works?

output: SSL (now deprecated) and TLS (its modern replacement) are cryptographic protocols that secure data as it moves across a network - especially the internet. When you visit a secure website (the kind with "https"), you're using TLS to protect the connection between your browser and the web server. Here's how it works at a high level: The handshake When a client (like a browser) connects to a server over HTTPS, they begin with a TLS handshake. This involves negotiating which version of TLS to use, selecting encryption algorithms, and exchanging digital certificates to prove the server's identity. Certificate validation The server sends a public certificate which is usually issued by a trusted certificate authority (CA). The client checks this certificate to make sure it's valid, hasn't expired, and matches the domain. This step ensures you're talking to the right server, not an impersonator. Key exchange Once the certificate is validated, the client and server agree on a shared session key using asymmetric encryption (like RSA or Diffie-Hellman). This key will be used to encrypt the rest of the session using faster symmetric encryption. Secure communication From that point forward, all data sent between the two is encrypted using the shared key. This protects against eavesdropping (confidentiality) and tampering (integrity). TLS also includes protections like message authentication codes (MACs) to verify the data hasn't been altered, and sequence numbers to prevent replay attacks. Why interviewers ask this TLS is everywhere, from web browsing to APIs to email encryption. If you can explain the handshake, the use of certificates, and why symmetric and asymmetric encryption are both involved, it shows you've got a practical handle on how secure systems are built.


instruction: What is a cloud-based multi-factor authentication (MFA)?

output: Cloud-based MFA is a solution that adds a layer of security to the authentication process by requiring users to provide additional verification factors.


instruction: How do you manage security in a DevOps environment?

output: Implement security into the development pipeline with automation, continuous monitoring, and collaboration between development and security teams.


instruction: What is Vulnerability Assessment (VA) and how is it different from Penetration Testing (PT)?

output: Vulnerability Assessment is the process of locating flaws or vulnerabilities on the target. For example, a company may be aware that its security system has flaws or weaknesses. To find those flaws, prioritize them, and fix them, they would need to conduct a Vulnerability Assessment. On the other hand, Penetration Testing (PT) is the process of finding vulnerabilities on the target. In this situation, the company would have set up all possible security measures they could think of and test other ways their system or network may be hacked. Before we dive into the questions a cybersecurity project manager will likely see in an interview, let's first define what a cybersecurity project manager does - as opposed to an entry-level executive or an analyst.


instruction: What is cognitive cybersecurity?

output: Cognitive Cybersecurity is using AI that relies on human thought processes to uncover threats and protect both digital and physical systems. Using a high-powered computer model, self-learning security systems use natural language processing, data mining, and pattern recognition to mimic the human brain.


instruction: Explain the principles of ethical hacking

output: Ethical hackinginvolves testing systems and networks for vulnerabilities to strengthen security. Principles include obtaining proper authorization, maintaining confidentiality, and responsible disclosure of findings.


instruction: What is an SQL injection? And how can you prevent it?

output: An SQL injection (SQLi) is an attack by injecting a code so that the hacker can manipulate any data that's being sent to the server to carry out malicious SQL statements and thereby control the web application's database server. In other words, the SQL injection allows the hacker or attacker to access, change, or even delete data on a server. Hackers use SQL injections to take over database servers. To prevent an SQL injection, you need to: - Use prepared statements - Use stored procedures - Validate user input


instruction: What is a cloud workload protection platform (CWPP)?

output: A CWPP is a security solution that protects cloud-native applications and workloads.


instruction: Explain the parameters that define an SSL session

output: Key parameters include: Session Identifier - Uniquely identifies the session Cipher Specification - Defines the encryption algorithm and key sizes Compression Method - Describes how data is compressed before encryption Peer Certificate - Confirms the identity of the parties involved Master Secret - Shared secret derived during the handshake, used to generate keys


instruction: What advanced logging and monitoring configurations are essential for capturing real-time activity data within an AI-driven infrastructure?

output: I prioritize distributed logging systems, such as the ELK stack or Splunk, configured to capture critical events across every node in real time. Log data should include user access attempts, container lifecycle changes, API calls to inference services, and system resource spikes. Beyond standard logs, I enable debug-level traces for sensitive pipelines but tightly control who can view them. Intrusion detection systems (IDS) and anomaly detection tools also feed off these logs to spot deviations—like a surge in requests from unfamiliar IPs—enabling proactive threat mitigation. Regularly testing and tuning these logs ensures they remain both high-fidelity and noise-free. Related: AI Product Manager Interview Questions


instruction: Can you explain the difference between Continuous Deployment and Continuous Delivery in a CI/CD pipeline?

output: Continuous Deployment (CD) automatically deploys every successful code change to production without manual intervention. Continuous Delivery (CD) deploys changes to a staging environment where manual approval is required before pushing to production, providing a buffer before changes go live.


instruction: What is cybersecurity, and why is it important?

output: Cybersecurity protects computer systems, networks, and data from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It's important to safeguard sensitive information, maintain privacy, prevent financial losses, and protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.


instruction: What advanced cryptographic methods have you employed to protect the confidentiality of AI model parameters, and how do you balance computational overhead with robust security?

output: I've used homomorphic encryption in specialized scenarios where computations on encrypted data are essential, though it often introduces computational overhead. I commonly leverage well-optimized symmetric encryption (like AES-256) for parameters at rest, supplemented by key rotation policies enforced through hardware security modules (HSMs). For distributing model updates across global servers, secure enclaves or trusted execution environments can help. Balancing performance means selectively applying stronger encryption to the most critical data, while less sensitive assets might employ lighter-weight protocols. Rigorous testing and hardware acceleration (such as GPU-based cryptography) also minimize performance degradations in production.


instruction: Explain the principles of ethical hacking

output: Ethical hacking is the practice of proactively testing an organization's security to identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them. Key principles include: Authorization : Obtaining permission before conducting tests. Confidentiality : Protecting the organization's data and privacy. Responsible Disclosure : Reporting vulnerabilities to stakeholders responsibly.


instruction: What does a white-hat, black-hat, and grey-hat hacker mean?

output: A white-hat hacker , known as an ethical hacker, is a person who uses their hacking skills to find vulnerabilities in companies' networks. White-hat hackers are usually employed by the company under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to hack their systems and servers so that the company can then reinforce its firewalls and cybersecurity protocols. A black-hat hacker or a malicious hacker is a cybercriminal. Black-hat hackers attack companies' and organizations' networks to uncover private information whether for personal or political gain or for fun. A grey-hat hacker is someone who is in-between the other two. They might hack into systems and networks and violate laws but they usually don't have the malicious intentions of black-hat hackers.


instruction: Explain social engineering and its attacks

output: Social engineering is a hacking technique based on forging someone's identity and using socialization skills to obtain details. There are techniques that combine psychological and marketing skills to influence targeted victims and manipulate them into obtaining sensitive information. The types of social engineering attacks are given below: -Impersonation: This is a smart choice for attackers. This method impersonates organizations, police, banks, and tax authorities. Then they steal money or anything they want from the victim. And the same goes for organizations that obtain information about victims legally through other means. -Phishing: Phishing is like impersonating a well-known website such as Facebook and creating a fake girlfriend website to trick users into providing account credentials and personal information. Most phishing attacks are carried out through social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. -Vishing: Technically speaking, this is called "voice phishing". In this phishing technique, attackers use their voice and speaking skills to trick users into providing personal information. In general, this is most often done by organizations to capture financial and customer data. -Smithing: Smithing is a method of carrying out attacks, generally through messages. In this method, attackers use their fear and interest in a particular topic to reach out to victims through messages. These topics are linked to further the phishing process and obtaining sensitive information about the target.


instruction: Discuss the challenges in securing wireless networks

output: Challenges include rogue access points and eavesdropping. Solutions include strong encryption, network monitoring, and user education.


instruction: What is a cloud-based incident response playbook?

output: A cloud-based incident response playbook is a pre-defined set of procedures and guidelines for responding to security incidents in cloud environments.


instruction: What's network sniffing?

output: Network sniffing is a collection of specialized software programs or hardware equipment hackers use to analyze data packets sent across a network. Sniffing can be used to: Capture sensitive data like passwords Eavesdropping on chat messages Monitor data packages over a network


instruction: How long does it take to become a cybersecurity professional?

output: You can get an entry-level position in at least two to four years if you have hands-on experience and formal training, such as an associate degree and/or cybersecurity certification courses.


instruction: What is a VPN?

output: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. A virtual private network (VPN) is a technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over an insecure network like the Internet. A virtual private network is a method of extending a private network using a public network such as the Internet. The name only indicates that it is a virtual "private network". A user may be part of a local area network at a remote location. Create a secure connection using a tunnelling protocol.


instruction: What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

output: SOC is a centralized team responsible for real-time monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents.


instruction: What is cross-site scripting (XSS)?

output: XSS is a type of vulnerability that occurs when an attacker injects malicious code into a website to steal user data or take control of the user's session.


instruction: What is phishing? And how can you prevent it?

output: Phishing is a type of cyberattack where a hacker pretends to be a trustworthy person or company in order to steal personal and sensitive data and information using a fraudulent email or another type of message. To prevent phishing attacks, a user or company can follow these best practices: - Avoid entering sensitive information - such as credit card data or passwords - in websites you don't know or trust - Use firewalls so they can detect unsafe and spammy sites - Use antivirus software with internet security - Verify the site's security - Use an anti-phishing toolbar


instruction: What is a security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) solution?

output: A SOAR solution is a security solution that automates and streamlines incident response processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.


instruction: What is penetration testing as a service?

output: Penetration testing as a service is a managed service that provides recurring penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and improve security posture.


instruction: What is information security and how is it achieved?

output: Information security (InfoSec) is the practice of protecting sensitive data from unauthorized access, use, or destruction, focusing on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information. It is achieved through measures such as access control, encryption, regular audits, incident response planning, and employee training. By implementing these strategies, organizations can safeguard their information assets and effectively mitigate risks associated with data breaches and cyber threats.


instruction: What are the main elements of cybersecurity?

output: They are: - Information security - Network security - Application security - Operational security - End-user security - Business continuity planning


instruction: What is a business continuity plan?

output: A business continuity plan is a set of procedures that outline how an organization will continue to operate during a disaster or major outage.


instruction: What is a three-way handshake?

output: A three-way handshake is a tool used to establish a connection between a host and a client within a TCP / IP network. It is called a three-way handshake since it is a three-step process in which messages are shared between client and server. The next three steps are: The client sends SYN (Synchronize) data to the destination to verify if the server is up or has ports available If the server has open ports, it sends the SYN-ACK packet to the device The recipient knows this and sends a box of ACK(Acknowledgment) back to the server


instruction: What steps would you take to secure a server?

output: For virtually any job in cyber security, hiring managers will want to know that you have experience protecting and securing a web server. The first step in your response should be to secure passwords for administrative and root users before removing remote access from default admin and root accounts. The final step would be to set up a firewall to monitor network traffic and protect the computer system from being attacked by malware, viruses, or warms.


instruction: Explain what a security audit Is

output: A security audit systematically evaluates an organization's information systems and security policies to assess their effectiveness, identify vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements.


instruction: What is a hash function?

output: A hash function is a mathematical function that takes input data of any size and produces a fixed-size string of characters, known as a message digest.


instruction: What's the difference between a vulnerability, threat, and risk?

output: ulnerability: A weakness (e.g., SQLi in login form). Threat: A potential attacker or event (e.g., hacker). Risk: Likelihood and impact of exploitation.Think: Vulnerability + Threat = Risk.


instruction: What do you mean by two-factor authentication?

output: Two-factor authentication refers to using any two independent methods from a variety of authentication methods. Two-factor authentication is used to ensure users have access to secure systems and to enhance security. Two-factor authentication was first implemented for laptops due to the basic security needs of mobile computing. Two-factor authentication makes it more difficult for unauthorized users to use mobile devices to access secure data and systems.


instruction: What's the difference between asymmetric and symmetric encryption?

output: Symmetric encryption utilizes the same key for the encryption and decryption processes, while asymmetric encryption uses different keys, specifically a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption. Asymmetric encryption offers higher security because it enables secure communication without exchanging secret keys.


instruction: What do you mean by Forward Secrecy and how does it work?

output: Forward secrecy is a feature of some key agreement protocols that guarantees that the session keys will remain secure even if the server's private key is compromised. Perfect forward secrecy, also known as PFS, is the term used to describe this. The "Diffie-Hellman key exchange" algorithm is employed to achieve this. In conclusion, preparing for network security interview questions is crucial for showcasing your understanding of key topics like encryption, firewalls, malware, and network protocols. Focusing on both theoretical concepts and practical tools can greatly enhance your performance. Stay updated with the latest trends in cybersecurity and practice common interview questions to ensure success in your job interviews. Comment More info K kartik Follow Improve Article Tags : Ethical Hacking Interview Questions Cyber-security Interview-Questions


instruction: What's the difference between IDS and IPS?

output: An IDS (Intrusion Detection System) and an IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) both monitor network traffic for suspicious or malicious activity, but the key difference is what they do when they detect something. IDS is passive. It detects and alerts. If it sees unusual behavior like port scanning, malware signatures, or protocol anomalies then it raises a flag, but it doesn't block the traffic. Think of it like a smoke detector: it warns you there's a problem, but it doesn't put out the fire IPS is active. It detects and blocks. When it sees something malicious, it can drop the packet, reset the connection, or block the offending IP address on the spot. This makes IPS more proactive, but also more sensitive. If not configured carefully, it can create false positives that block legitimate traffic Both systems often use similar detection methods: Signature-based detection looks for known patterns of malicious behavior Anomaly-based detection flags behavior that deviates from the norm, even if it doesn't match a known threat In many environments, IDS and IPS are combined into a single system (often called IDPS), or are built into next-generation firewalls. Analysts may still review alerts manually even in IPS setups, especially when there's a risk of blocking business-critical traffic. Why interviewers ask this They're checking whether you understand how network monitoring works and what the tradeoffs are between detection and prevention. If you can explain the difference clearly and talk about where each system fits in a layered defense strategy, then it shows that you're ready to reason through real-world security architecture decisions.


instruction: What is a backdoor?

output: A backdoor is a type of malware that provides unauthorized access to a system or network.


instruction: What is port blocking within LAN?

output: Port blocking in LAN means restricting users' access to several services within the local area network.


instruction: Discuss the ISO 27001/27002 standards

output: ISO 27001: An international standard that outlines the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). ISO 27002: A supplementary standard providing best practices and guidelines for implementing specific security controls within an organization.


instruction: What is a data leak? How can you detect it and prevent it?

output: A data leak is when a company's or organization's private data is released to the public in an unauthorized manner. Data leaks can come in many ways such as hacked emails and networks, stolen or lost laptops, or released photos. To prevent a data leak, a company needs to restrict internet uploads, add restrictions to email servers, and restrict the printing of confidential information and data. To detect a data leak, you'll need to: 1) Monitor access to all your networks 2) Evaluate the risk of third-parties 3) Identify and secure sensitive data 4) Encrypt data 5) Secure all endpoints 6) Evaluate permissions across the organization 7) Use cybersecurity risk assessments


instruction: What is the CIA?

output: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) is a standard model for designing a security strategy. The CIA model is composed of three concepts: Confidentiality: Ensure that an authorized person accesses the confidential data. Integrity: Integrity ensures the data is in the proper format. Availability: Maintain the appropriate data and services for those who use them.


instruction: How do you keep on top of cybersecurity industry news and trends?

output: In cybersecurity, staying on top of trends can make all the difference in protecting your company from emerging threats. Your hiring manager will want to see that you are plugged into the industry. Talk about how you check vulnerability alert feeds and advisory websites, read cybersecurity news sites and blogs, and follow all the top cybersecurity social media accounts. It is also worth mentioning if you have experience networking and sharing ideas with other cybersecurity professionals at conferences, live events, or other meet-ups.


instruction: When confronted with sophisticated adversarial examples that bypass traditional detection, what specialized techniques do you recommend to identify and defend against them?

output: I often use adaptive detection measures that combine multiple strategies. One approach is integrating feature-level anomaly detection, which compares high-level model embeddings of inputs against typical distributions. Another method is randomizing the model's internal parameters or input processing slightly—an adversary crafted for a specific static model is less effective against randomized architectures. Generative methods can also help, where an auxiliary AI attempts to reconstruct suspicious inputs to check for inconsistencies. These layered defenses, combined with specialized adversarial training that includes advanced gradient-based techniques, make it more difficult for attackers to slip through undetected.