Introduction to Network Security Interview Questions And Answers
In today’s business scenario, organizations either big or small are dependent on digital information and the internet for business operations. More and more organizations are deploying networks for their operations to leverage the potential of the internet. However, when internal networks start sharing information through the internet, the organization is vulnerable to attacks and hacks. This creates a crucial need to secure the network and all the information contained in them. Further security attacks can result in negative impact on business operations and value or reputation for the organization. Hence, securing the firm’s network systems and the information is a critical need. Computer security or cybersecurity is a broad area that encompasses the security of data networks. In this post-Network Security Interview Questions, we explore a set of interview questions on the topic of network security.
So if you have finally found your dream job in Network Security but are wondering how to crack the Network Security Interview and what could be the probable Network Security Interview Questions. Every interview is different and the scope of a job is different too. Keeping this in mind we have designed the most common Network Security interview Questions and answers to help you get success in your interview.
Network Security Interview Questions And Answers
Below are the important set of Network Security Interview Questions that are asked in an interview
1. What can be the impact of a computer network attack?
Answer:
Hackers or attackers target computer networks to cause irreversible damage to organizations. Computer networks, when compromised by an attack or hacks, will result in negative implications to include.
- Loss of sensitive information and proprietary data
- Loss of value with shareholders
- Reduced profits
- The decline in trust with customers,
- Deterioration of brand value
- Loss of reputation
2. What is the objective of information security within an organization?
Answer:
Some of the objectives of having a network security program in organizations include,
- Prevent unauthorized network access
- Protect the privacy, integrity and sensitive information of users in the network
- Protect the network from external attacks hacks and prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the network
- Protect the network from malware or from different attack types (DDoS, MITM, Eavesdropping, etc.,)
- Protect all data, stored and in-transit and to secure all information in the network from being stolen by malicious users
- To ensure the availability of the network
3. What are the meaning of threat, vulnerability, and risk?
Answer:
In the context of security, threat means the event which has the potential to cause harm or serious damage to computer systems or networks. For example, a virus attack is viewed as a threat. Threats often result in an attack on computer networks. Threats are caused by attackers who attempt to make use of weaknesses in computers in the network.
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Vulnerability refers to a weakness in the computer network and/or any device/equipment on the network. A device here refers to routers, modems, or wireless access points, switches, and so on. Every device on the network can have one or more vulnerabilities that must be understood and adequate measures must be implemented to close the weakness.
An attack is the consequence of threat or vulnerability. The attack on a network is usually launched using programs and scripts or tools to take control of the network and to steal data – thus denying access to authorized users. Usually, attacks are made on network devices such as access points, servers or desktop computers.
4. What is the meaning of AAA?
Answer:
AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting.
Authentication is the process of determining if a user is legitimate to use the system and the network. Authentication is usually done using login and password. For example, you will use a username and password to access your email. The email server authenticates your username and password and provides further access.
Authorization refers to the access control rights. This implies every user on the network is allowed access to certain portions of data and information and applications according to his/her level in the organization. For example, a marketing person will not be able to record financial transactions. Hence, a user is authorized to perform only certain functions on the network system. These authorization levels are defined by the system administrator who has access to all the resources and user policies in the network.
Accounting is known as network accounting which is used to gather all activity on the network for each use.
Hence, AAA is a framework for network security which is used to control user access, implement policies, audit usage and keep track of all activities in the network. AAA helps the system administrators and security experts to identify any malicious activity on the network.
5. What is CIA?
Answer:
CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. CIA is a model designed to guide the policies for information security in organizations.
Confidentiality is almost equivalent to privacy. Computer networks must ensure confidentiality to mitigate attacks in order to avoid sensitive information from falling into wrong hands. Confidentiality is ensured by implementing access restriction mechanisms. Confidentiality can be understood as ensuring user privacy in the system.
Integrity refers to maintaining consistency, accuracy, and trust of data over its entire lifecycle. It must be understood that data is vulnerable during transit and steps must be taken to ensure that data during transit cannot be modified by unauthorized people, thus compromising confidentiality. There are many methods to ensure data integrity, for example, the use of cryptographic checksums to verify the data integrity. Also, measures such as backup and redundant storage may be required to restore lost data immediately.
Availability refers to the entire network with resources and hardware infrastructure is available to authorized users. Availability is ensured by maintaining all hardware is working well and carrying out repairs immediately, also availability is needed to maintain a fully functional operating system which is free of software conflicts. It is also important to perform necessary upgrades, software patches, and security patches as and when they are available from the vendor.
Hence, adequate precautions and safeguards to protect all information in the computer network must be planned and security procedures must be implemented to ensure uninterrupted network services.
6. What is IPS?
Answer:
An IPS is a threat prevention technology that investigates all network data flow to identify and prevent malicious activity and to detect vulnerability in the network. IPS is helpful because it can be configured to detect a variety of network attacks and understand vulnerabilities in the network. IPS is usually deployed on the perimeter of the network. There are many types of IPS, some of the approaches to prevent intrusions are signature-based, anomaly-based, protocol-based and policy-based IPS.
In summary, computer network security is a broad area to include components, devices, hardware, software, and operating systems. Vulnerabilities are usually found in networks because multiple pieces of equipment are used. The security professional must evaluate the network thoroughly to make adequate security management plans and procedures.
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