What do you do if you're asked about your cybersecurity experience in an Internet Services interview?

I've seen estimates of cyber security jobs worldwide ranging from 100,000 to 3.5 million. Either way, if you have cyber security skills and you're interviewing for an Internet Services job, you're in the wrong place.

Foundational knowledge of cybersecurity principles is essential for businesses to protect sensitive data and mitigate online threats. Understanding the importance of data protection is crucial in today's digital landscape, where businesses store vast amounts of valuable information. Common threats such as malware, phishing, and ransomware underscore the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Frameworks like the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provide structured guidelines for managing information security effectively. By adhering to NIST frameworks, organizations can assess their cybersecurity posture, identify vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to enhance resilience and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Frameworks like NIST's CSF offer way for managing risk through functions like Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. A deep technical understanding of these principles enables businesses to implement best cybersecurity strategies, enable their defenses, and proactive risk management.

Difficult one for me to answer personally as I have been approached by hackers, posing as a recruiter, asking a very similar question but instead seeking to obtain information about my organisation. I'll keep it broad and very general. The discussion will center around the 8 CISSP domains and would delve deeper into any particular area the interview is interested in, without revealing any specific details. A genuine interviewer would appreciate I am respecting the privacy of the parent org.

As a web application security tester, I have come to understand that machine learning and reinforcing learning can be incredibly useful in my audit and pentesting assignments. Recently, I developed a reinforcing learning agent that is capable of generating payloads for XSS and SQL injection attacks to evaluate the security level of different web application firewalls (WAFs).

Protecting data is paramount for businesses due to the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive information from various cyber threats. Data breaches can result in financial losses, damage to reputation, and legal consequences. Businesses face a myriad of threats including phishing attacks, malware infections, ransomware, and insider threats, all of which can compromise data integrity and confidentiality. Implementing a framework like NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) provides a structured approach to cybersecurity. NIST's framework emphasizes risk assessment, continuous monitoring, and incident response to help businesses identify, protect, detect, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity events.

When I talk about cybersecurity, I focus on keeping data safe from online threats that can harm businesses. These threats include viruses, fake emails called phishing, and ransom demands for data, known as ransomware. I know about important rules, like the ones from NIST, which help us create strong defenses online. These rules are like a guide for keeping things secure, and I always keep up with them to stay ahead of new risks and protect digital information.

The most important fact is be honest. Bonus if you have genuine instrest in cyber. We want to see your passion. Experience can always be taught, but if you don't have a passion for this line of work you won't fit in well at all. Everyone I meet who's going places would do this job unpaid purely for the love. If that's you, sign up!! The next important aspect is how you treat others. Your working generally with well educated and passionate people, so understanding goes a very long way. You won't always see eye to eye with a client but having the ability to remain calm, friendly and helpful will always leave a great impression 👍

Another route is to start by asking questions about the system, getting to know the needs, the system parts, and so on. Then, continue briefly discussing the threat model and propose different solutions.

In my cybersecurity journey, I have acquired a diverse skill set, including developing IDS/IPS rules and hands-on experience with tools like Snort and Suricata. I've effectively monitored network traffic, analyzed logs, and investigated suspicious activities to detect and mitigate potential threats. Moreover, I have implemented SOC 2 controls to enhance security and compliance measures. Additionally, I've conducted comprehensive risk assessments and contributed to disaster recovery planning, ensuring proactive measures are in place to address security threats and minimize business impact during incidents.

If you have experience in Security Incident Management or Disaster Recovery it should be highlghted. Mention any security incidents that you have handled. Emerging Technologies like AI, Cloud, Blockchain will always be advantageous.

Stories are powerful. They are more memorable than facts and figures. Using stories or examples to highlight your skills is going to resonate more than regurgitating basic facts about cybersecurity. A good story will explain the impact your efforts made on the organization and if you are like me your passion for continuous learning.

Experience and your attitude to handle the Incident/Impact is the best toolkit you can have in your bag while engaging in the CyberSecurity Incident. Working in Security teaches you, one thing Organizations do not want to compromise is the time. When working with the incident, there is a high probability that someone will start looking into wrong direction and get themself stuck in the Rabbit Hole. Always work on the evidential basis, Logs, Enumeration, Chain of Custody, reconnaissance, these steps should never be ignored, Even if they don't provide you the answer many times, They will lead you to the right direction to look for those answers. If the interviewer understand this, they will select you over an Expensive Certificate holder.

Throughout my cybersecurity journey, I've conducted comprehensive security audits across diverse applications and infrastructure. Leveraging tools like Metasploit, Burp Suite, and various utilities from Kali Linux, I uncovered critical vulnerabilities within network and web applications, such as outdated software and misconfigured firewall rules. Working closely with IT teams, I delivered actionable recommendations to enhance security posture and mitigate risks. In incident response scenarios, I played a pivotal role in swiftly addressing cyber threats, ensuring minimal disruption to operations and safeguarding company digital assets.

As a cybersecurity researcher, I've gained lots of experience checking for security problems in websites, mobile apps and networks. I carefully look for weak spots that hackers could exploit and suggest ways to make things more secure. I've done this kind of testing a lot and learned how to turn big ideas about cybersecurity into real-life actions that keep things safe. My goal is to stay always updated about new security attacks as per security aspects.

In my roles, my cybersecurity efforts significantly enhanced organizational security postures and reduced security breaches. By implementing security controls both internally and externally and conducting proactive monitoring, I effectively mitigated threats and minimized vulnerabilities. Additionally, I contributed to cybersecurity policy development and implemented employee training programs, fostering a culture of security awareness that improved adherence to security protocols and reduced human-related risks. These initiatives collectively strengthened the overall security resilience of the organizations I've worked with.

Adaptability and Learning: Continuous Learning: Emphasize your commitment to staying updated: “I actively follow cybersecurity news, attend webinars, and participate in online courses.” “I’m currently pursuing my Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.” Adaptability: Highlight your ability to adapt to evolving threats and technologies: “In our dynamic field, I’ve learned to quickly adapt to new challenges and technologies.”

I'm always learning new things to stay sharp in cybersecurity. I'm studying for a master's degree in cybersecurity, and I like taking on challenges in competitions like Capture The Flag and platforms like Hack The Box. I'm also doing a Cyber Defense Specialist Accreditation (CDSA) and joining private bug bounty programs to learn more and help improve security. Attending workshops and courses keeps me up-to-date on the latest trends and tech in cybersecurity, so I can keep our systems safe from threats.

Continual learning is crucial also cybercriminals continuously enhance their skills. Therefore, it is essential to remain up-to-date to effectively counter their advances and also to improve your skills

In this Fastest world where everything is rapidly growing cyber security and Information technology is also continuously evolving us into next world .. Even Artificial intelligence and machine learning is ingenious being technical revolution.. So we surely need an curious mind to learn things and absorb and then work for the betterment of that thing.. We surely needs to updated version of our in this technological world..

Day by day security updates so need to update our learning process and practice. Learn about New technology Update Device and systems Update password and os Update firmware.

Tell the truth, let them know your strengths but also areas of weakness or lack of knowledge, but emphasize your openness & willingness to learn, and continue learning. Make sure that you’re teachable, and communicate that effectively by giving an example of how you might have hit a wall and how you were able to breakthrough by going out of your way to communicate with senior staff or more knowledgeable people for insights to overcome the challenge(s). This ability to effectively communicate and solve problems should elevate you in their minds. Just my 0.2¢

When its about your cybersecurity experience in an Internet Services interview, highlight relevant skills such as network security, data protection, and threat mitigation. Discuss any certifications or training you've completed, as well as hands-on experience in securing internet-facing systems and applications. Emphasize your understanding of industry standards and compliance requirements, and provide examples of how you've contributed to enhancing cybersecurity within internet services, whether through risk assessments, incident response, or implementing security protocols. Showcase your ability to adapt to evolving threats and technologies, and demonstrate your commitment to staying informed about cybersecurity trends and best practices.