If you have an interview coming up for a cyber security role, preparation is everything. There are certain hot topics most employers want to ask you about. You should expect at least some cyber security interview questions on:
In this blog, we’ll discuss why it’s important to demonstrate your cyber security skills across these areas. We’ll also offer top tips on how to prepare your own questions to showcase your knowledge to your potential employers.
Cyber attacks are increasing in frequency. In Q3 2024 alone, there was a 75% increase in cyber attacks compared to the same period in 2023. And tech giant IBM noted that 20% of all cyberattacks that they recorded in 2023 involved ransomware.
As remote and hybrid work becomes common in many industries, businesses are now more at risk of ransomware attacks. According to a recent study, 58% of direct ransomware incidents are attributable to remote access vulnerability.
Ransomware can cause havoc for organisations. You should be prepared to discuss how an effective attack can impact:
Over half of business owners are using AI tools to boost their cyber security measures and to crack down on fraud. Organisations are finding these tools are able to analyse patterns and identify potential threats more efficiently than traditional methods.
However, these processes still require human input. Professionals will need to demonstrate their capabilities in regularly reviewing and adjusting AI systems to respond to:
In addition, organisations are now facing major challenges in monitoring the use of unsanctioned AI tools. Non-approved tools are proving particularly tough to monitor when integrated with legacy systems. As a result, a fifth of UK firms have had sensitive corporate data exposed through employee use of GenAI.
It is important to know that AI can create big cyber and compliance risks. This can happen if users accidentally share sensitive company information.
Whether you’re applying for Microsoft security jobs or cloud cyber security jobs, the world of cyber security is increasing in scale and complexity.
By having an overview of all the current cyber security risks, you will be able to prioritise threats. In your interview, you can show how you prioritise security training for employees. This helps workers recognise and respond to attacks. This is a great opportunity to help you stand out in today’s cyber security jobs market.
You can learn more in the Hays 2024 Global Cyber Security Report.
Data privacy-related class action litigation is on the rise. People are seeking legal recourse for data breaches that affect the personal information of customers and employees.
In 2024, three of the top ten largest data breach related securities class action settlements, totalled $560 million. Organisations are ensuring now more than ever that they have the right cyber security team for the job.
It can be difficult to predict what an interviewer will ask. One way to make a good impression is to connect your cyber security skills to the company and remote work.
An interviewer may ask you to identify the security measures required for your home network. They could ask how you can improve user two factor authentication for an online application. They may also ask why DNS monitoring is important.
You also need to demonstrate your wider knowledge outside of your technical skillset. More than half of companies are lacking an effective cyber incident response plan. You should also demonstrate how you could help an organisation improve its cyber security game.
Prepare some key points about your cyber security experience. Explain how it can help an organisation adapt to remote or hybrid working environments.
As a cyber security professional, you need to be aware of threats like ransomware and ways of preventing them. Plus how to communicate and enforce these methods across a remote or hybrid workforce.
If a question comes up about cyber security in remote work, it is a great chance to show your knowledge. However, if it hasn’t come up during your interview, don’t forget to mention it at the end.
Depending on what you have already been discussing in the interview, you may want to ask:
What cyber security plans do you currently have in place? Are they implemented across your organisation?
How does your organisation promote its cyber security measures and what sort of culture exists?
Do you conduct regular cyber security audits or vulnerability assessments? When was the last one you carried out?
How is your cyber security function composed and managed? Do you use an in-house team or do some of the responsibilities go to contract staff?
When it comes to your cyber security management, what is your greatest challenge? Is it prioritising different cyber risks, inadequate governance, or maybe a lack of management buy-in?
Your interviewer may not answer these interview questions as cyber security protocols may prevent it. That’s fine. The purpose of these questions is to demonstrate your ability to think about cyber security at an organisational level, which shows you’re aware of the wider implications of cyber security.
Demonstrating your competence across the business and cyber security world. This will show your interviewer that you would be a valuable addition to their organisation.
Looking for cyber security jobs? Search our available roles here.
