Vulnerability management is crucial in maintaining cybersecurity. Here are 15 interview questions and answers:
1. What is vulnerability management? It involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating vulnerabilities in a system or network.
2. How do you prioritize vulnerabilities? Vulnerabilities are prioritized based on their severity, potential impact, and exploitability.
3. Explain the vulnerability lifecycle. The lifecycle includes discovery, assessment, remediation, and monitoring of vulnerabilities.
4. What tools do you use for vulnerability scanning? Popular tools include Nessus, Qualys, and OpenVAS for identifying security weaknesses.
5. How do you handle false positives in vulnerability scans? False positives are handled by manually validating the reported vulnerabilities and adjusting scanning configurations.
# Example code using Python for simple vulnerability detection:
def scan_vulnerability(system):
if system in ['outdated_software', 'open_port']:
return 'Vulnerability found'
return 'System secure'
6. How do you patch vulnerabilities in a large environment? In large environments, automated patching systems like WSUS or SCCM are used to deploy patches efficiently.
7. What is the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS)? CVSS provides a standard method for rating the severity of security vulnerabilities.
8. How does vulnerability management integrate with SecOps? SecOps relies on continuous vulnerability scanning to identify threats before they can be exploited.
9. How do you handle zero-day vulnerabilities? Zero-day vulnerabilities are handled by immediate patching or applying temporary mitigation measures until a permanent fix is available.
10. How do you report and communicate vulnerabilities to stakeholders? Vulnerabilities are reported through detailed reports, prioritizing critical risks, and recommending mitigation steps.
11. What is the role of penetration testing in vulnerability management? Penetration testing identifies vulnerabilities that scanners may miss and helps evaluate real-world risks.
12. Explain the importance of vulnerability disclosure policies. Disclosure policies ensure that vulnerabilities are responsibly communicated and addressed before being publicly known.
13. How do you assess third-party software vulnerabilities? Third-party software vulnerabilities are assessed through regular audits, code reviews, and vulnerability scans.
14. What is patch management? Patch management is the process of updating software to fix vulnerabilities and bugs.
15. How do you monitor for new vulnerabilities? New vulnerabilities are monitored through threat intelligence platforms, vendor alerts, and security news sources.