Information Security Analyst Interview Questions & Answers

Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.

Interviewers look for candidates that demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical skills
• Ingenuity

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for information security analyst positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why interviewers are interested in your analytical skills:

Information security analysts must carefully study computer systems and networks and assess risks to determine how security policies and protocols can be improved.

Attention to detail

Why interviewers are interested in your attention to detail:

Cyberattacks can be difficult to detect. Information security analysts must pay careful attention to computer systems and watch for minor changes in performance.

Related: Security Analyst vs. SOC Analyst – What’s The Difference?

Ingenuity

Why interviewers are interested in your ingenuity:

Information security analysts must anticipate information security risks and implement new ways to protect their organizations’ computer systems and networks.

Problem-solving skills

Why interviewers are interested in your problem-solving skills:

Information security analysts must respond to security alerts and uncover and fix flaws in computer systems and networks.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Information Security Analyst Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Information Security Analyst Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Information Security Analyst Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. What are the first steps you take when you need to secure a network or system?
2. Describe a time you had to anticipate information security risks and developed a solution to protect the company’s system and networks.
3. What do you consider the most important skill for an information security analyst to be successful?
4. Tell me about a time you had to deal with data leakage. What were the factors causing it? How did you solve it?
5. Please walk me through the steps to successful data loss prevention controls.
6. If we would hire you, what would be the first analysis you would run on our network and systems?
7. What additional training and development could help you become a better information security analyst?
8. What is your understanding of ‘X’ (insert job required knowledge)?
9. How would you secure a network or system? What factors would you take into account?
10. What is your strategy for keeping company devices secure if they’re on public or hotel wifi?
11. Tell me how you manage large amounts of data and information.
12. How would you respond to a superior demanding you break a protocol for them?
13. Tell me how you would defend against an XSS (cross-site scripting) attack?
14. What types of software do you use in your daily work?
15. Tell me about a time you thought out of the box to solve a problem at work.

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.