20 Tenable Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to cybersecurity, Tenable is a company that knows its stuff. As a leading provider of cybersecurity solutions, Tenable helps organizations to understand and reduce their cybersecurity risk across the full range of modern computing assets.

If you’re lucky enough to snag an interview with Tenable, you can expect to be asked some tough questions about your knowledge of cybersecurity. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Tenable interview questions, along with sample answers to help you stand out from the crowd.

Tenable Interview Process

The interview process at Tenable can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, in general, the process is fairly long, with multiple rounds of interviews. Additionally, the interviews can be quite difficult, especially the technical rounds. Overall, the experience can be quite positive, but there have been some complaints about the hiring process being too long and drawn out.

1. How would you handle a difficult customer?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight how you helped customers and resolved their issues.

Example: “In my last job, I had a client who was unhappy with our services because they didn’t see any improvements in their security after we implemented new measures. I met with them to discuss their concerns and explain that it takes time for changes to take effect. After two weeks, they called me back to say they were happy with our work.”

2. What is your understanding of the cybersecurity industry?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the industry and how you fit into it. It also helps employers understand if you are familiar with their company, which can be an important factor in deciding whether or not to hire someone.

Example: “The cybersecurity industry has grown significantly over the last few years as more organizations have become aware of the importance of protecting themselves from cyberattacks. I believe that this growth will continue as companies realize they need to invest in security measures to protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated attacks. As technology continues to advance, so too does the threat of cybercrime.”

3. Provide an example of where you had to use data analysis as part of your job.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your analytical skills and how they can help you in the role. To answer, think of a time when you used data analysis to solve a problem or complete a task.

Example: “In my last job as a security analyst, I was tasked with finding out why our company’s website had been experiencing so many issues. After looking at all of the available data, I found that there were several different reasons for the website’s problems. The first reason was that we didn’t have enough bandwidth to support the traffic on the site. Another reason was that some of our servers weren’t configured properly, which caused errors. Finally, it turned out that one of our developers had accidentally deleted an important file from the website.”

4. Do you have any experience working with clients in different time zones?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you will communicate with clients and colleagues in different time zones. If your previous job required you to work with clients or customers in other countries, share that experience.

Example: “I have worked with clients in Europe before, so I am familiar with working on a schedule where my day starts at night for them. However, I also have experience working with clients who are based in California, which is when I usually start my day. In both cases, I make sure to be available during times of the day when my client is most likely to respond.”

5. When was the last time you used vulnerability scanning software and what were the results?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the software and how you can use it. You should describe what type of scanning you did, what vulnerabilities you found and how you fixed them.

Example: “I used Tenable’s Nessus vulnerability scanner last year when I was working for a small business that needed help with their security. The company had no idea about its network or any potential threats, so we started by performing an initial scan of all devices on the network. We then performed a second scan after implementing some basic security measures like updating passwords and installing antivirus software.”

6. Do you have any experience using Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure?

These are two of the most common cloud computing platforms used by Tenable. If you have experience using either, explain how it helped you in your previous role and what you learned from it.

Example: “I have worked with both Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure in my last position as a security analyst. I found that AWS was more user-friendly for me because I had prior knowledge of its features. However, I also found that Azure has many advanced features that can be useful to organizations looking to scale their operations.”

7. Describe a time when you worked on a team project, how did it go?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific skills or abilities that helped the team succeed.

Example: “In my last job as a security analyst, I worked on a project where we had to find ways to reduce our company’s cybersecurity risk while also reducing costs. My team and I were able to come up with several solutions for both of these issues by working together and using our different skill sets. We ended up saving the company thousands of dollars per year.”

8. If hired, what do you think your main priorities should be for the first few months?

This question is a great way to learn more about the company’s current priorities and how you can contribute. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any skills or knowledge that you have that would help with these goals.

Example: “I think my main priority should be learning as much as I can about Tenable. I’ve used many of their products in the past, but I’m excited to see what new features they’re working on. Another priority for me would be helping other team members understand the value of Tenable’s software. In my last job, I helped train several employees on cybersecurity best practices, so I know how important it is to make sure everyone understands the basics.”

9. Why do you want to work at Tenable?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also gives you an opportunity to highlight any research you’ve done on Tenable, including what you like about the organization and how it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I want to work at Tenable because I’m passionate about cybersecurity and believe that Tenable’s mission of helping organizations reduce their risk is important. I think Tenable has a unique product that can help companies protect themselves from cyberattacks and am excited to be part of a team that helps others stay safe online.”

10. What are some of your favorite tools that help you troubleshoot problems with computers?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with the tools Tenable uses. You can list some of your favorite tools and explain why they are useful in your work.

Example: “I’ve used many different tools over my career, but I find that one of the most helpful is Wireshark. It’s an open-source network packet analyzer that allows me to capture packets on both local networks and remote locations. This tool has helped me troubleshoot issues with computers, routers and other devices connected to a network.”

11. Explain the difference between false positives and real vulnerabilities.

This question tests your knowledge of cybersecurity terminology and concepts. It also helps the interviewer understand how you approach problem-solving in a technical environment.

Example: “A false positive is when Tenable reports a vulnerability that doesn’t actually exist. This can happen if there’s an error in the scan or if it detects something as a vulnerability but it isn’t one. A real vulnerability, on the other hand, is a weakness in a system that could be exploited by hackers to gain access to sensitive information.”

12. Would you be comfortable making cold calls?

Cold calling is a common practice in sales, and the interviewer may want to know if you’re willing to make them. If you are, explain why. If not, explain what other methods you would use to generate leads for their company.

Example: “I’ve made cold calls before, but I prefer to meet people through referrals or networking events. It’s easier to get someone’s attention when they already know me, so I can tell them about my services and how I can help them. I also find that it’s more effective to build relationships with clients over time rather than trying to sell them something right away.”

13. We often deal with high profile customers who depend on our product. What would you say is your biggest strength when dealing with these types of clients?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with clients and help them understand the value of Tenable’s products. Highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities or any other skill that you feel will be beneficial when working with high profile customers.

Example: “I think my biggest strength when dealing with these types of clients is my ability to explain complex issues in an easy-to-understand manner. I have worked with many large organizations before, so I am familiar with how they operate. This allows me to quickly assess their needs and develop solutions that are both effective and efficient.”

14. Have you ever been interested in learning about security research?

This question can help the interviewer understand your interest in learning about new security threats and vulnerabilities. Security research is an important part of a cybersecurity analyst’s job, so it’s helpful if you have some background or experience with this type of work.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in learning more about computer security. I took several classes on programming languages and operating systems during my undergraduate program, which helped me to learn more about how computers function and what makes them vulnerable to cyberattacks. I also completed a summer internship at a local tech company where I learned about different types of malware and other common cyberthreats.”

15. Tell me about a time where you made a mistake and learned from it.

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight how you used the experience to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “When I first started working in IT, I was tasked with setting up a new server for my company. I had never done this before, so I followed all of the instructions exactly as they were written. Unfortunately, when I turned on the server, it didn’t work properly. After some troubleshooting, I realized that I had set up the server incorrectly. It took me several hours to fix the issue, but after that, I learned how important it is to read instructions carefully.”

16. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you interact with your team and other stakeholders. Your communication style is an important part of being successful in any role, so it’s helpful to understand what others think about your approach to this aspect of your work.

Example: “I consider myself to be very direct when communicating with my team members or anyone else who I’m collaborating with on a project. I find that people appreciate hearing exactly what I have to say, rather than having to interpret vague statements or messages. This helps me build trust and rapport with those around me, which makes it easier for us to collaborate effectively.”

17. Are you familiar with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework?

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework is a set of standards that helps organizations to assess and manage their cybersecurity risks. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand how this framework works and can apply it in your work as a security analyst.

Example: “I have used the NIST Cybersecurity Framework for my previous job, where I helped our organization to implement the framework’s five steps to improve its cybersecurity. The framework is an excellent resource for any organization looking to reduce their cybersecurity risk because it provides clear guidelines on how to identify, protect against and respond to cyber threats.”

18. In a previous position, how did you ensure that all customer contracts were completed successfully?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and ensure that it’s completed on time. Use examples from previous positions to highlight your ability to manage multiple projects at once, meet deadlines and communicate with clients or customers about project status.

Example: “In my last position as a software developer, I worked for a company that provided cybersecurity services to several large corporations. One of my primary responsibilities was ensuring that all contracts were fulfilled by our team within the specified timeframe. To do this, I would create weekly reports detailing any changes in client expectations, new tasks assigned to myself or other members of the development team and any potential risks that could affect contract completion.”

19. How many hours per week do you feel comfortable working?

This question is often asked to determine if you are a good fit for the company’s culture. Tenable has an open office environment, so it’s important that your work style matches this type of setting. When answering this question, be honest about how many hours per week you feel comfortable working and try to emphasize any aspects of your personality or background that make you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I am a hard worker who always strives to get my job done on time. I would like to work 40 hours per week, but I understand that sometimes there may be more work than can be completed in that amount of time. If this were to happen, I would do whatever was necessary to ensure all tasks were finished.”

20. What are some qualities that you look for in a manager?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your management style and how you would interact with your team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you feel like you’re being managed well.

Example: “I look for managers who are approachable, but also hold me accountable for my work. I want someone who is willing to give me feedback when needed, but also trusts that I’m doing my best work. I also value managers who are knowledgeable in their field and can provide support as I learn new things.”