Top cybersecurity job interview questions in 2025: revealed

Cybersecurity interviews and technical tests are designed to assess a candidate's knowledge, problem-solving skills, and hands-on expertise in protecting systems from cyber threats.

From theoretical to practical, a range of cybersecurity questions awaits…

Employers seek tech professionals who can handle real-world security challenges, so candidates should be well-prepared for a variety of questions.

The questions can range from theoretical cybersecurity concepts to practical problem-solving scenarios, writes Georgina Day, head of cyber security at global recruitment firm Leap29.

Here, exclusively for Free-Work, I will explore the key areas of questioning in a cybersecurity interview or technical test, with insights into what cyber security candidates should expect.

1. Core Cybersecurity Knowledge

In a cyber security interview, employers often start with fundamental questions to evaluate a candidate’s understanding of key cybersecurity principles.

So at this first stage of your cyber security skills inquisition, expect questions on:

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA Triad): This is the cornerstone of cybersecurity; assessing how security measures protect sensitive data, ensure accuracy, and maintain accessibility.
Encryption and Hashing: Freelance and full-time tech job candidates alike may be asked about symmetric vs. asymmetric encryption, hashing algorithms (SHA-256, MD5), and how the candidate thinks these techniques protect data.
Networking Security: Understanding firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and network segmentation is crucial, so expect all of these to be at least touched on with direct or indirect questions.
Authentication and Access Control: Topics like multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and zero-trust security models, will inspire a few probes in most computer security interviews.
Common Cyber Threats: Your knowledge of malware types (ransomware, trojans, worms), phishing attacks, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks will likely be explored.

2. System and Application Security

Many cybersecurity roles require successful candidates to secure operating systems, applications, and databases.

While it will depend on the specific role, brief or assignment you’re applying for (permanent) or going forward for (contractor), candidates will invariably be tested on:

Operating System Security: Windows and Linux security fundamentals, permissions, auditing, and security hardening.
Web Application Security: Understanding of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
Cloud Security: Security best-practices for AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, including identity management, encryption, and compliance.
Secure Coding Practices: Awareness of secure coding principles to prevent vulnerabilities like buffer overflows and injection attacks.

3. Incident Response and Threat Detection

Security workers must identify and respond to cyber threats.

That means it’s prudent to expect your cybersecurity interview questions to very likely cover:

Incident Handling Process: The steps in responding to a security breach (identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned).
Log Analysis and SIEM Tools: How to analyse logs and use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools like Splunk or ELK Stack.
Threat Intelligence: How you’d use threat intelligence sources to proactively defend against cyber threats.
Forensics and Malware Analysis: Basic understanding of digital forensics, memory analysis, and reverse engineering of malware is key.

4. Practical Problem-Solving and Hands-on Challenges

Technical tests for a cyber security job often include real-world scenarios to evaluate the interviewee’s problem-solving skills.

Candidates might encounter:

Penetration Testing Tasks: Identifying vulnerabilities in a given system or network using tools like Nmap, Metasploit, or Burp Suite.
Log File Analysis: Detecting suspicious activity in log files and recommending appropriate security measures.
Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenges: Solving security puzzles or exploiting vulnerabilities in a controlled environment.
Code Review and Secure Coding: Identifying security flaws in a piece of code and suggesting improvements.

5. Behavioural and Scenario-Based Questions

Beyond technical skills, employers want to assess an IT security job candidate’s decision-making and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

Four frequently asked questions, or interview queries that often come up include:

How would you respond to a ransomware attack in a corporate network?
Describe a time when you dealt with a security incident. What steps did you take?
How do you balance security and usability in an organisation?
How do you explain security concepts to a non-technical executive?

6. Compliance and Risk Management

Security is not just about technology!

It also involves compliance with industry regulations.

As a result, be ready to face questions on:

Regulatory Frameworks: Understanding GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.
Risk Assessment and Management: Identifying security risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
Security Policies and Procedures: Developing and enforcing security policies in an organisation.

Cyber security interview questions: recap

A cybersecurity interview or technical test is designed to assess both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Candidates for tech security roles should therefore be prepared for a combination of fundamental questions, hands-on challenges, real-world scenarios, and behavioural questions.

The key to success in the cybersecurity jobs space in 2025 is a mix of continuous learning, hands-on practice, and staying updated with emerging threats and security technologies.

Finally, the need to practice your cyber security interview responses unites all candidates

By mastering these areas, and rehearsing aloud your answers to the questions above, both temporary and full-time candidates can confidently approach cybersecurity interviews and demonstrate your ability to protect and defend digital assets in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

For tailored advice about IT security job interview questions as a contractor or full-timer, reach out to a cybersecurity recruiter with a track record of placing candidates in the area of cybersecurity fields or roles you aspire to be part of or execute.