Top 25 SOC Analyst interview questions that You Should Know

SOC is abbreviated as Security Operations Center, a centralized team of any company that monitors real-time threats, real-time incidents, and suspicious activities. The SOC team will take the appropriate action or assign some professionals to handle the risk if found.

Any organization hires a SOC team for two primary reasons. First, the SOC team makes sure that the impact of an already-happening compromise or incident will be minimal. For example, if one of the systems/computers has been compromised, the SOC team must ensure the remaining computers work correctly. Second, they must make sure that the cost of remediation is minimal.

So if you are also willing to become a SOC Analyst and are preparing for interviews, these hand-picked interview questions may help you. Have a look.

1. What do you know about PAT?
PAT is abbreviated as Port Address Translation, an extension of Network Address Translation (NAT) that allows multiple devices on a network to be mapped to a single IP address to conserve IP addresses.

2. What is the idea behind Network Address Translation?
The idea behind Network Address Translation is to map an IP address space into another by editing information in packet headers while the packets are in transit.

3. What is an IP address?
Internet Protocol addresses are numerical labels such as 192.0.2.1 that denote a computer network that utilizes the Internet Protocol to communicate. IP addresses serve two purposes: network interface identification and location identification.

4. What is confidentiality?
Confidentiality is used for the protection of information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. A computer file, for instance, remains confidential if only authorized users are able to access it, but unauthorized people are barred from doing so.

5. What is integrity?
Integrity is making sure that an unauthorized entity does not modify the data. In other words, the accuracy and completeness of data are integral to integrity. Security controls focused on integrity are intended to block data from being altered or maltreated by an illegal party.

6. Can you list the various layers of the OSI model?
The seven different layers of the OSI model are

1. Physical layer
2. Data Link layer
3. Network layer
4. Transport layer
5. Session layer
6. Presentation layer
7. Application layer

7. What do you know about VPNs?
A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, is a secure connection between a server and a device over the Internet. It encrypts data transmissions so that sensitive information is protected. In addition to making unauthorized individuals unable to eavesdrop on the Internet traffic, it also allows users to conduct business remotely.

8. Can you list a few common cyber-attacks?
A few common cyber attacks are:

• Phishing attacks
• Password attacks
• Drive-by Downloads
• DDOS
• Malware

9. What is cryptography?
The study of cryptography involves techniques that ensure the confidentiality of messages so that they can only be viewed by the sender and the recipient. Usually, cryptography is used to encrypt or decrypt emails and plaintext messages when transmitting electronic data.

10. What is encryption?
Encryption is the process of making the data unreadable by any third party. This is a process where the plain text is converted into cipher-text (a random sequence of alphabets and numbers).

11. What is CSRF?
Cross-Site Request Forgery is a vulnerability of web applications that occurs if the server does not check the request source. In this scenario, the request is just processed straight away.

12. Define firewall?
A firewall is a device that allows or blocks traffic according to rules. Firewalls are usually situated between trusted and untrusted networks.

13. What do you know about port scanning?
Port scanning is the process of sending messages to collect network and system information by evaluating the incoming response.

14. Can you tell the various response codes from a web application?
1xx – Informational responses
2xx – Success
3xx – Redirection
4xx – Client-side error
5xx – Server side error

15. Define tracert/traceroute?
When you cannot ping the destination, tracert helps you find the disruptions, pauses, or breakages in the connection—no matter whether it is a firewall, router, or ISP.

16. Can you list the different types of web application firewalls?
There are two types of Web Application Firewalls, they are:

• Cloud-based
• Box type

17. What is the main difference between software testing and PenTesting?
Software testing only focuses on the software’s functionality, whereas PenTesting concentrates on the security aspects like identifying and addressing the vulnerabilities.

18. Define data leakage?
The data leak happens when data gets out of the organization in an unauthorized manner. Data can leak via numerous means, including e-mails, printouts, laptops, unauthorized uploading of data to public portals, portable drives, photos, etc.

19. What is the perfect time to revise the security policy?
There is no perfect time to revise the security policy. You just have to make sure to do it at least once a year. If there are any changes made, document them in the revision history.

20. What is the risk?
Risk is the probability of being exposed, losing important information and assets, or suffering reputational damage as a result of a cyber attack or breach within an organization’s network.

21. What is a threat?
The threat is anything that may purposefully or inadvertently take advantage of a vulnerability in order to acquire, harm, or destroy an asset.

22. What is vulnerability?
Vulnerabilities refer to flaws or gaps in software, networks, or systems that can be exploited by any threat to gain unauthorized access to an asset.

23. Can you list a few IPS/IDS tools?

• SNORT
• Security Onion
• OSSEC
• Osquery
• WinPatrol

24. How can we prevent identity theft?

• Avoid sharing private information online on social media
• Only buy from reputable and well-known websites
• Always use the most advanced version of the browser
• Install new spyware and malware protection tools
• Renew your software and systems frequently

25. How can we prevent Man-in-the-middle attacks?
A MITM attack occurs when communication among two parties is interrupted or intercepted by an external entity.

• Use encryption among both parties
• Avoid utilizing open wi-fi networks
• Use HTTPS for forced VPN or TLS

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AUTHOR
Yamuna Karumuri ( )
Content Writer

“ Yamuna Karumuri is a B.tech graduate in computer science. She likes to learn new things and enjoys spreading her knowledge through blogs. She is currently working as a content writer with Infosec Train. “