17 Security Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

A security engineer is responsible for the security of an organization’s computer networks and systems. They identify potential threats and vulnerabilities and work to mitigate them. As a security engineer, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience, your understanding of security protocols, and your ability to identify and solve problems.

In this guide, you’ll find security engineer interview questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview. You’ll learn about the types of questions you can expect to be asked, and you’ll get tips on how to best answer them.

Are you comfortable working with complex technical systems?

Security engineers need to be able to work with complex systems and processes. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the technical skills necessary for the job. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable working with complex systems. Explain how you would use your technical expertise to solve problems in a security system.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with complex systems. Throughout my career as a security engineer, I’ve worked on many different projects. Some of these projects involved designing new security protocols for large companies. For example, I once designed a security protocol for an online retailer. The company wanted to create a more secure shopping experience for customers. I was responsible for creating a comprehensive security plan that included both software and hardware solutions.”

What are some of the security protocols you would implement if you discovered a breach in your system?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would react to a security breach and whether your response is appropriate for their company. In your answer, describe what steps you would take to resolve the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I discovered a breach in my system, I would first assess the extent of the damage and identify which systems were affected. Then, I would implement new protocols to prevent future breaches from occurring. For example, if I found that an employee was able to access sensitive information without authorization, I would create additional layers of security to protect against this happening again.”

How would you go about explaining a technical security issue to a non-technical person?

This question can help the interviewer assess your communication skills and ability to simplify complex issues. Use examples from past experiences where you had to explain technical security concepts to non-technical people, such as clients or managers.

Example: “I would start by explaining what a threat is and how it affects a company’s security system. I would then go on to describe the different types of threats that exist in the industry and their potential impact. Finally, I would show them how our security measures mitigate these threats.”

What is your process for identifying and prioritizing security risks?

Security risks are a major part of the security engineer’s job. Employers ask this question to learn about your process for identifying and prioritizing these risks so they can understand how you will perform in their organization. Use your answer to explain your method for assessing risk and provide an example of a time when you did this successfully.

Example: “I use several methods to identify and prioritize security risks. First, I examine the company’s current security measures and compare them with industry standards. Then, I assess any vulnerabilities that may exist within the system or its employees. Finally, I create a plan to address each risk based on its severity.”

“At my last job, I noticed some weaknesses in our password encryption software. After researching other companies’ systems, I determined that we were using outdated encryption technology. I presented my findings to management and helped implement new encryption software across all platforms.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified a flaw in a system and how you resolved it.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you used your critical thinking skills to identify a flaw and develop a solution that resolved the issue.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our security system was not properly monitoring certain areas of the building. This could have led to an intruder gaining access to restricted areas or tampering with equipment. To resolve the issue, I worked with my team to create new rules for the security system’s software so that it would monitor all areas of the facility.”

If hired, what would be your top priority when it comes to protecting our company’s assets?

This question is a great way to determine how much the candidate values security and what their priorities are. It’s important that you know your company’s assets, so you can help the engineer prioritize accordingly. You should also be able to explain why this asset is important to protect.

Example: “My top priority would be protecting our customer data. This information is highly valuable and if it were compromised, we could lose customers. I would implement additional layers of protection for this data, such as firewalls and encryption. I would also ensure that all employees have strong passwords and understand the importance of keeping them confidential.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker was not following security protocols?

Security engineers must be able to work well with others. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle a situation like this in the workplace. In your answer, show that you can communicate effectively and solve problems. Explain what steps you would take to help your coworker understand security protocols.

Example: “If I noticed my coworker was not following security protocols, I would first try to speak with them about it privately. If they were still unaware of the issue after our conversation, I would bring it up at our next team meeting. At the meeting, I would explain why security is so important and give examples of how ignoring these protocols could lead to data breaches or other issues. I would also offer to train my coworkers on any aspects of security they did not understand.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

Security engineers often work in high-pressure situations. Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to perform under pressure and how you react to it. When answering, try to show that you can handle stressful situations well. Explain what steps you take to remain calm and focused when working in a high-pressure environment.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure. In my previous role as a security engineer, I was responsible for monitoring the company’s entire network. This required me to stay up late many nights to monitor all of our systems. While this was challenging at times, I learned to enjoy the challenge of staying up late and finding solutions to problems. I believe that being able to work under pressure is an important skill for any security engineer.”

Do you have experience with data encryption?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with security systems. If you have worked with encryption in the past, describe how it helped improve a company’s security system. If you haven’t worked with encryption before, you can talk about other ways you’ve improved data security.

Example: “I have worked with data encryption for several years now. In my last position, I was responsible for creating an encryption key that would protect sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized users. This process involved using complex algorithms to encrypt and decrypt data so only authorized personnel could access it. The encryption key I created at my previous job helped reduce instances of hacking and ensured our data remained secure.”

When performing a risk assessment, what are some of the factors you consider?

Security engineers must be able to perform risk assessments on a regular basis. The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have the necessary experience and expertise for the role. In your answer, try to list some of the factors that security engineers consider when performing risk assessments.

Example: “When performing a risk assessment, I first look at the assets that need protection. Then, I assess the vulnerabilities of those assets and determine how much damage an attack could cause. After that, I calculate the probability of an attack occurring and weigh it against the cost of implementing security measures. If the cost is too high, then I will usually recommend other solutions.”

We want to improve our cybersecurity. What new technologies or methods would you suggest we implement?

This question allows you to show your knowledge of the latest cybersecurity trends and how they can be applied to a specific company. When answering this question, make sure that you are speaking from experience and not just repeating what you have read or heard about in the news.

Example: “I would suggest implementing artificial intelligence into your security system. AI is an emerging technology that has been shown to improve cyber defense systems by identifying threats before they occur. This means that instead of waiting for a breach to happen, the system will be able to stop it before any damage occurs. Another method I would recommend is blockchain technology. Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that records all transactions on a public database. This makes it easier to identify breaches and track down hackers.”

Describe your experience with firewalls.

Firewalls are a common security measure used by many businesses. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with firewalls and how you use them in your work. In your answer, try to describe the specific types of firewalls you’ve worked with and what you like or dislike about each type.

Example: “I have extensive experience working with both software and hardware firewalls. I find that software firewalls are easier to implement than hardware firewalls because they’re less expensive and require fewer resources. However, hardware firewalls offer better protection against cyber attacks. When designing a firewall system for a client, I always consider their budget and the level of security they need.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any certifications or training you have completed.

Example: “I am passionate about security and committed to keeping people safe. I also understand the importance of following safety protocols in order to protect sensitive information. In my previous position, I developed a system that would send alerts when someone accessed restricted files. This helped prevent data breaches and kept our clients’ information private.”

Which security certifications do you hold?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any certifications in security engineering. If you do, they may want to know which ones you hold and how long you’ve had them. They may also want to know what steps you took to earn the certification.

Example: “I currently hold two security certifications. The first is a CISSP certification that I earned after five years of working as a security engineer. This certification requires me to pass an exam every three years to maintain it. My second certification is a SSCP certification that I earned after two years of working as a security engineer. This certification only requires me to renew it every four years.”

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

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of cybersecurity and how you prioritize tasks. Security engineers need to be able to identify vulnerabilities in systems, create solutions and implement them effectively. Your answer should show that you understand what’s most important about this role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of cybersecurity is ensuring that security measures are effective. It’s crucial to test any new system or update to ensure it works as intended. I also believe it’s essential to have an emergency plan in place so we can respond quickly if there’s ever a breach. This helps us minimize damage and protect our clients.”

How often should you perform system audits?

Audits are an important part of a security engineer’s job. They allow you to assess the effectiveness of your systems and make improvements where necessary. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your audit process and how often you perform them. In your answer, explain what factors influence when you conduct audits. Consider mentioning that you prefer to do them regularly so you can maintain high standards for system security.

Example: “I believe it is very important to perform regular audits on all systems I am responsible for. This allows me to ensure that my systems are operating at peak performance levels. I typically perform audits every six months or after any major changes have been made to the system. Regular audits also help me stay up-to-date with current industry standards.”

There is a new vulnerability in a popular software program used by the company. What would you do?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. Security engineers must be able to recognize vulnerabilities in software programs, applications or hardware systems and implement solutions that protect the company from cyberattacks.

Example: “I would first research the vulnerability thoroughly to understand how it works and what its effects are. Then I would discuss my findings with my team members so we can come up with an effective solution together. If there’s no existing security measure that can prevent this vulnerability, then I would suggest implementing new measures as soon as possible. This may include updating the system or replacing certain parts of the program.”