Cyber Security Interview Questions and Answers- Part 2

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The three goals of cybersecurity are confidentiality (ensuring data is accessible only to authorized individuals), integrity (maintaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of data), and availability (ensuring systems and data are accessible when needed).

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Encryption is converting plaintext (unencrypted data) into ciphertext (encrypted data) using an encryption algorithm. It helps protect the confidentiality and integrity of data.

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A vulnerability is a weakness or fault in a network, system, or application that can be exploited by attackers to compromise its security.

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Penetration testing, also called ethical hacking, is a security assessment technique that simulates real-world attacks on a system or network to detect vulnerabilities and assess their potential impact. It helps organizations identify and address security weaknesses before they are exploited by malicious actors.

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A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to interrupt the normal functioning of a service, network, or website by overwhelming it with internet traffic from multiple sources.

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Social engineering is a method where cyber attackers manipulate and deceive individuals into revealing sensitive data or performing actions that compromise security. It often involves psychological manipulation and exploiting human vulnerabilities.

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Phishing is a cyber-attack type in which the hacker impersonates a trustworthy entity (such as a company or a person) to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card details, or to perform malicious actions.

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Ransomware is a type of malware that encodes a victim’s files or locks them out of their own systems, demanding a ransom payment in exchange for restoring access. It is a form of extortion and can cause significant disruption and financial loss.

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Multi-factor authentication is a security mechanism requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification to verify their identity. It usually combines something the user knows (e.g., a password), something the user has (e.g., a security token), and/or something the user is (e.g., biometric data) to provide a higher level of authentication and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.

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A security incident denotes any event that compromises the privacy, integrity, or availability of information or information systems. It includes unauthorized access, data breaches, malware infections, and other security-related events.

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A security policy is a documented set of rules, guidelines, and procedures that define how an organization will protect its information assets and manage its security controls. It outlines the organization’s security objectives, responsibilities, and the expected behavior of employees and users.

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An Intrusion Detection System is a security technology that monitors network or system activity to detect and respond to potential malicious activity or policy violations. It can identify and alert on suspicious behavior or known attack patterns.

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Encryption key management refers to the processes and procedures involved in generating, distributing, storing, and revoking encryption keys. It ensures the secure and effective use of encryption to protect sensitive data.

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Defense-in-depth is an approach to cybersecurity that involves implementing multiple layers of security controls and measures to provide overlapping protection. It recognizes that no single security measure is foolproof and aims to create a strong and resilient security posture.

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A Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system is a software solution that aggregates and evaluates security event logs and data from different sources within an organization’s network. It helps identify and respond to security incidents and provides a centralized view of security events.

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A Security Operations Center is a centralized facility responsible for monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents in real-time. It typically consists of security analysts, incident responders, and other specialists who proactively manage and enhance an organization’s security posture.

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Threat intelligence is information about potential or existing cybersecurity threats gathered from various sources, such as security researchers, vendors, and security communities. It helps organizations understand the threat landscape, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions to mitigate those risks.

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Encryption plays a critical role in data protection by transforming data into an unreadable format using encryption algorithms. It ensures that even if unauthorized individuals gain access to the data, they cannot decipher it without the encryption keys.

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A Security Assessment is a systematic evaluation of an organization’s security controls, policies, and practices to identify vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and potential risks. It assists organizations identify areas for improvement and take appropriate measures to enhance security.

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Vulnerability scanning involves automated tools that scan systems, networks, or applications to identify known vulnerabilities. Penetration testing, on the other hand, simulates real-world attacks to identify vulnerabilities and assess their potential impact. While vulnerability scanning is automated, penetration testing requires human intervention and provides a more in-depth analysis.