17 Incident Response Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

An incident response analyst is responsible for developing and implementing security protocols in the event of a data breach or other cybersecurity incident. In other words, they’re the first line of defense when it comes to protecting an organization’s data.

If you’re looking to break into this in-demand field, you’ll need to know how to answer incident response interview questions. This guide will give you a few tips on how to do just that.

Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to work in a high-pressure environment. This is because incident response analysts often have tight deadlines and must prioritize tasks quickly. Your answer should show that you are comfortable working under pressure and can meet the demands of the job.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, as I’ve worked in one for most of my career. In my last role, I was responsible for responding to security breaches within minutes of them occurring. I also had to prioritize which incidents were more urgent than others. I’m used to multitasking and making quick decisions on how to best respond to an issue.”

What are some of the most important skills for an incident response analyst?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for an incident response analyst and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for an incident response analyst are communication and problem-solving. These skills are essential because I need to be able to clearly communicate with my team members and other stakeholders about what we’re doing during an investigation. Also, I need to be able to solve problems quickly when they arise. This is especially true when a breach occurs, as I may need to find solutions to issues that haven’t been seen before.”

How would you approach an investigation if most of the evidence had been deleted or destroyed?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a problem and solve it. Use your answer to highlight your critical thinking skills, ability to analyze data and use your creativity to find evidence that may have been lost or destroyed.

Example: “If most of the evidence had been deleted or destroyed, I would first try to determine if there was any other way to recover the information. If not, I would start by looking at what we know about the incident so far. For example, if the company’s website was hacked, I would look for commonalities between websites that were also hacked. This could give me an idea of who is behind the hacking and where they are likely to be hiding.”

What is your process for documenting your findings after completing an investigation?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should show that you can follow a process, stay organized and meet deadlines.

Example: “I use several tools to document my findings during an investigation. I start by creating a case in our company’s incident management system so I have a central location for all of my notes and files. Then, I create sub-cases within the main one for each individual finding. For example, if I find malware on a computer, I’ll create a sub-case for the computer itself, as well as any other devices connected to it. This helps me keep track of all of my data and ensures I don’t miss anything.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified and resolved a cybersecurity vulnerability.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from your previous experience that highlight your ability to identify vulnerabilities, analyze data and implement solutions.

Example: “In my last role as an incident response analyst, I noticed a spike in malware attacks on our company’s servers. After investigating the issue, I discovered that one of our employees had installed a malicious program on their computer without knowing it. This led me to investigate all computers within the organization to ensure no other employees were affected by the same problem. I found two additional computers with the same malware, which allowed me to remove the threat before any damage occurred.”

If you were unable to determine the cause of a breach, how would you explain your findings to your employer?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation and how you communicate with your team. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from mistakes.

Example: “If I were unable to find the cause of a breach, I would first explain my findings to my employer and ask if they have any additional questions or concerns. Then, I would research the issue further by looking at other factors that could be contributing to the problem. If I still couldn’t find the root cause after several days, I would report this to my supervisor so they could decide what action to take next.”

What would you do if you suspected that an employee was intentionally causing damage to the company’s computer systems?

This question is designed to assess your ability to handle sensitive situations and make difficult decisions. In your answer, explain how you would gather evidence and determine if the employee was guilty of wrongdoing.

Example: “If I suspected an employee of causing damage to a company’s computer systems, I would first try to find out why they were doing it. If they were acting maliciously, I would report them to my supervisor so that we could take appropriate action. However, if they were simply trying to do their job but making mistakes, I would help them learn from their errors and avoid damaging the system in the future.”

How well do you understand the legal implications of data breaches and other cyber incidents?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the legal requirements for handling sensitive data and other information. Use your answer to highlight any relevant experience you have with cyber security laws, regulations or compliance standards.

Example: “I understand that there are many different types of cyber incidents that can affect a company’s reputation and financial standing. In my last role, I worked closely with our IT department to ensure we were in compliance with all federal and state privacy laws. For example, I helped develop a plan to protect consumer data and prevent identity theft after an employee accidentally left their laptop at a coffee shop. We also had to report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission.”

Do you have any experience working with forensics tools to investigate digital evidence?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with digital forensics tools and how you apply them in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or knowledge you have that can help you succeed as an incident response analyst.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of forensic tools throughout my career, including EnCase, FTK and X-Ways Forensics. I find these tools helpful for analyzing digital evidence because they allow me to collect data from a variety of sources and examine it thoroughly. This helps me identify important information quickly so I can use it to solve problems and make informed decisions.”

When investigating a breach, what is your process for determining who is at risk of being harmed?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills and knowledge to solve problems. Use examples from past experiences to explain what steps you take when investigating a breach, including how you prioritize who is at risk of being harmed by the incident.

Example: “When determining who is at risk, I first look for any personal information that was exposed during the breach. This includes names, addresses, social security numbers, credit card information and other sensitive data. Next, I determine if there are any publicly available details about those affected, such as their age or location. If so, I use this information to create a list of people who may be at risk based on these factors. Finally, I check for any additional information that could put someone at risk, such as whether they have recently been in contact with the company.”

We want to ensure that our employees are well-informed about cybersecurity best practices. How would you approach educating employees about security risks and prevention techniques?

An interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to educate others about cybersecurity best practices. Use your answer to highlight your communication and interpersonal skills, as well as your knowledge of security risks and prevention techniques.

Example: “I would start by identifying the most common security threats that employees are likely to encounter. I would then develop a training program that includes information on how to recognize these threats and prevent them from occurring. For example, I might provide an overview of phishing attacks and how to avoid them, along with tips for spotting suspicious emails and websites. I would also include instructions for updating passwords regularly and using two-factor authentication.”

Describe your experience with risk assessment tools and processes.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with risk assessment tools and processes. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of the tools and how you use them in your work.

Example: “I have used several different types of risk assessment tools, including some that are free and others that require a subscription. I find that using these tools can help me understand the risks involved in an organization’s operations and develop strategies for mitigating those risks. In my last role, I worked with a team to create a risk assessment tool that we could use to evaluate our security measures regularly. We found it helpful to use the tool to identify areas where we needed to improve our security protocols.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they align with the job. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Use these as talking points during your interview to show the employer why you’re qualified for the position.

Example: “I have five years of experience in cyber security and incident response analysis. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science and am currently working toward my master’s degree in cybersecurity. In addition to my education, I’ve worked in several different industries where I gained valuable experience in handling cyber threats and responding to incidents.”

Which computer programming languages do you have experience using?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the same programming language as their company. If they don’t specify which languages they use, it’s a good idea to mention several that you’re familiar with and why you chose them.

Example: “I’ve used Java, C++ and Python extensively in my previous role. I chose these because of their versatility and ability to work on multiple operating systems. They also allow me to create complex algorithms for data analysis and troubleshooting.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of cybersecurity?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your knowledge and expertise in cybersecurity. Your answer should include a brief explanation of what you think is most important, as well as why it’s so vital to cybersecurity.

Example: “I believe that security awareness is one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity. If employees are aware of cyber threats and how they can protect themselves from them, then there will be fewer incidents within the company. I also think employee training is essential because it helps ensure that everyone knows how to respond to a breach or other incident.”

How often do you update your knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and tools?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your commitment to staying up-to-date on cybersecurity trends and best practices. Your answer should demonstrate that you are committed to learning more about the field, including how to use new tools and technologies as they become available.

Example: “I am constantly researching new security tools and techniques so I can apply them to my work. For example, I recently learned about a new method for detecting malware using machine learning algorithms. I implemented it into my daily workflow and shared it with other analysts in my department who were interested in learning more.”

There is a high volume of traffic on the day of a planned update to the company’s security system. An incident occurs. What is your process for handling it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for handling this situation, including the order in which you would complete each task.

Example: “I would first make sure that all employees were aware of the update and how it might affect their work. Then I would monitor the network traffic for any anomalies or unusual spikes. If there was no suspicious activity, I would proceed with the security system update. If there was suspicious activity, I would pause the update until I could investigate further.”