20 Threat Detection Interview Questions and Answers

Threat detection is a process of identifying, assessing and responding to threats to an organization’s information security. It is a critical function in protecting an organization’s data and systems from attack. During a job interview for a position in threat detection, you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge and experience with the tools and techniques used in this field. In this article, we review some common questions you may be asked during your interview.

Threat Detection Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Threat Detection interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is threat detection?

Threat detection is the process of identifying potential security threats to a computer system or network. This can be done through a variety of means, including intrusion detection systems, which monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, and vulnerability scanners, which scan for known security weaknesses.

2. Can you explain what an attack surface is in the context of cybersecurity?

The attack surface of a system is the sum of the different points (the “surface”) at which an unauthorized user (the “attacker”) can try to enter data or otherwise compromise the security of the system. In order to secure a system, it is important to identify and then reduce the size of the attack surface. This can be done by, for example, removing unnecessary features or access points, or by increasing the security around critical points.

3. Why do you think it’s important to continuously check for threats?

There are many reasons why it’s important to continuously check for threats. First, new threats are always emerging, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest threats. Second, even if you’re aware of a particular threat, it’s possible that the threat has changed or evolved over time, so it’s important to continuously monitor for changes. Finally, even if a threat has not changed, your organization’s response to that threat may have changed, so it’s important to continuously reassess the threat and your organization’s response.

4. How do you detect unauthorized changes on your network?

There are a few different ways to detect unauthorized changes on a network. One way is to use a network intrusion detection system, which can monitor network traffic and look for suspicious activity. Another way is to use a file integrity checker, which can scan files on the network and look for changes that were not authorized by the system administrator.

5. What are some common types of attacks that can be detected using a threat detection system?

Some common types of attacks that can be detected using a threat detection system include denial of service attacks, buffer overflow attacks, and SQL injection attacks.

6. Does Microsoft have any tools or services that help with threat detection? If yes, then which ones and how do they work?

Yes, Microsoft has a few tools and services that help with threat detection. The main ones are the Windows Security Center, which provides a centralized place for users to view and manage security settings, and the Microsoft Malware Protection Center, which offers real-time protection against malware and other threats.

7. What are some best practices for maintaining a robust threat detection system?

Some best practices for maintaining a robust threat detection system include staying up to date on the latest threats, using multiple detection methods, and having a plan in place for responding to threats.

8. How does cloud-based threat detection differ from traditional on-premise systems?

Cloud-based threat detection systems are typically more effective because they have access to more data. They can analyze data from multiple sources in real-time and can be updated more frequently. They can also be more cost-effective because you don’t have to invest in the hardware and software needed to run a traditional on-premise system.

9. Do you need high-end hardware to run a modern threat detection system? If not, then why?

No, you do not need high-end hardware to run a modern threat detection system. The reason for this is that most threat detection systems are designed to run on commodity hardware. This is because the focus of these systems is on detecting threats, not on performance.

10. What are some endpoints that should be monitored when trying to identify potential threats?

There are a few different endpoints that should be monitored when trying to identify potential threats. First, you should monitor network traffic for any suspicious or unusual activity. This can include things like unexpected spikes in traffic, or traffic from unfamiliar IP addresses. Additionally, you should monitor the activity of users on the system, looking for anything out of the ordinary. This can include things like unusual login times or attempts to access restricted areas of the system. Finally, you should monitor the system itself for any signs of tampering or unusual activity. This can include things like changes to critical system files or unexpected reboots.

11. What are some ways to reduce false positives in threat detection?

Some ways to reduce false positives in threat detection are to use a combination of static and dynamic analysis, to use multiple detection engines, and to tune detection engines to the specific environment.

12. What are some typical activities that would trigger a false positive?

Some typical activities that would trigger a false positive are things like trying to access a file that doesn’t exist, trying to open a file that is already open, or trying to close a file that is already closed.

13. What do you understand about log analytics?

Log analytics is the process of reviewing log data in order to detect potential security threats. This can be done manually, but there are also a number of tools and services that can help automate the process. Log analytics can be used to detect a wide variety of threats, including malware, attacks, and system vulnerabilities.

14. What is machine learning and how is it used in threat detection?

Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that allows computers to learn from data, identify patterns, and make predictions. In the context of threat detection, machine learning can be used to automatically identify malicious activity and potential threats. This is done by training the computer on a large dataset of known threats and then having it identify similar patterns in new data. This can help to quickly and accurately identify new threats as they emerge.

15. What are some security risks associated with using public clouds like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, etc.?

One of the biggest security risks associated with using public clouds is the potential for data breaches. Because public clouds are shared environments, it is possible for malicious actors to gain access to sensitive data if proper security measures are not in place. Additionally, public clouds can be subject to denial of service attacks, which can disrupt service and cause data loss.

16. Is it possible to use existing infrastructure (like firewalls) as part of a threat detection system? If yes, then how?

Yes, it is possible to use existing infrastructure as part of a threat detection system. One way to do this is by setting up your firewalls to log all traffic and then using a tool to analyze the logs for suspicious activity. Another way to use existing infrastructure is to integrate it with a SIEM system so that it can help to detect and respond to threats.

17. What do you understand by Zero Trust Security?

Zero Trust Security is a security model that does not rely on predefined trust levels. In other words, every user and every device is treated as untrusted until proven otherwise. This approach is designed to protect against insider threats and external attacks.

18. What do you understand about endpoint protection platforms?

Endpoint protection platforms are a type of security software that is installed on individual computers or devices in order to protect them from malware and other threats. This type of software typically includes a firewall, antivirus, and antispyware capabilities, and may also include other features such as intrusion detection and prevention.

19. What is insider threat monitoring?

Insider threat monitoring is the process of tracking and monitoring the activity of users within an organization in order to identify potential threats that may come from within. This can be done through a variety of means, such as monitoring user activity logs, tracking email and communication patterns, and more.

20. Which one do you think is more effective for detecting threats: signature-based or behavior-based detection techniques?

There are pros and cons to both signature-based and behavior-based detection techniques. Signature-based detection is more accurate, since it is looking for specific patterns that are known to be associated with malware. However, behavior-based detection is more effective at detecting new and unknown threats, since it is looking for suspicious behavior that may be indicative of malware.