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SOC interview Questions

The document provides a list of the top 30 interview questions and answers for Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst positions, covering both L1 and L2 roles. It emphasizes the importance of customizing responses based on personal experience and knowledge. Key topics include SOC functions, incident response, threat hunting, and tools used in cybersecurity operations.

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2 views

SOC interview Questions

The document provides a list of the top 30 interview questions and answers for Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst positions, covering both L1 and L2 roles. It emphasizes the importance of customizing responses based on personal experience and knowledge. Key topics include SOC functions, incident response, threat hunting, and tools used in cybersecurity operations.

Uploaded by

muhammad sami
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TOP 30

Security Operations Center


(SOC)
Interview Questions & Answers

+1 (646) 980‑6267 www.thinkcloudly.com [email protected]


The SOC Analyst (L1 & L2) interview questions
and answers shared here are based on personal
understanding, learning, and experience. These
are intended solely for reference and
educational purposes.
It's highly recommended to customize the
responses according to one's own knowledge,
real-time exposure, tools used, and practical
scenarios to sound authentic and confident
during interviews.
L1
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.1. What is a Security Operations Center (SOC)?

A SOC is a centralized team that continuously monitors, detects,


analyzes, and responds to cybersecurity incidents in real time
within an organization.

Q.2. What are the primary responsibilities of an L1 SOC Analyst?

L1 Analysts monitor alerts, perform initial triage, escalate


confirmed incidents, and document findings.

Q.3. What is a SIEM and how is it used in SOC operations?

L1 Analysts monitor alerts, perform initial triage, escalate


confirmed incidents, and document findings.
L1
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.4. What is the difference between a false positive and a false


negative in security alerts?

A false positive is an alert triggered without a real threat.


A false negative is when a real threat goes undetected.

Q.5. What is phishing in the context of cybersecurity?

Phishing is a technique used by attackers to trick individuals into


revealing sensitive information via deceptive emails or websites.

Q.6. What steps are typically followed after receiving a security


alert?

Review the alert, analyze log details, validate the event, check for
indicators of compromise (IOCs), and escalate if necessary.
L1
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.7. What does the CIA triad represent in information security?

Confidentiality: Restricting access to authorized users


Integrity: Ensuring data is not altered
Availability: Ensuring systems and data are accessible when
needed

Q.8. How can suspicious login activity be identified in log data?

By reviewing login times, geolocations, multiple failed login


attempts, or access from unfamiliar devices/IPs.

Q.9. What are Indicators of Compromise (IOCs)?

IOCs are data points that suggest a security breach, such as


malicious IPs, file hashes, domains, or registry changes.
L1
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.10. What tools are commonly used to investigate alerts?

Common tools include SIEM platforms (e.g., Splunk), WHOIS,


VirusTotal, Shodan, and endpoint monitoring tools.

Q.11. What is the function of a firewall?

A firewall filters incoming and outgoing network traffic based on


security rules to block unauthorized access.

Q.12. How are alerts prioritized in a SOC environment?

Alerts are prioritized based on impact, criticality of the affected


asset, and potential threat severity.
L1
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.13. What is triage in cybersecurity incident management?

Triage is the process of evaluating and categorizing alerts to


determine which require immediate attention or escalation.

Q.14. What is a brute-force attack?

It is an attack where an intruder attempts to gain access by


systematically guessing passwords.

Q.15. What is the purpose of a ticketing system in SOC


operations?

Ticketing systems are used to document, assign, track, and


manage the lifecycle of security incidents.
L2
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.16. How does the role of an L2 SOC Analyst differ from L1?

L2 Analysts conduct deeper investigations, validate escalated


incidents, perform threat hunting, and assist in incident response.

Q.17. What are the phases of the Incident Response lifecycle?

Preparation
Detection & Analysis
Containment
Eradication
Recovery
Lessons Learned

Q.18. What is threat hunting in a SOC environment?

Threat hunting involves proactively searching for undetected


threats using behavioral analytics, hypotheses, and threat
intelligence.
L2
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.19. How is malware analysis typically conducted?

Malware analysis involves checking file behavior, hashes, static


and dynamic analysis, and running samples in sandboxes.

Q.20. What is meant by lateral movement in a cyberattack?

Lateral movement refers to an attacker's progression through a


network after gaining initial access, aiming to reach critical
systems.

Q.21. How is the MITRE ATT&CK framework utilized in


investigations?

It helps map observed tactics and techniques to known attacker


behavior, aiding in detection, analysis, and response planning.
L2
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.22. How is log correlation useful in incident investigation?

Log correlation connects events across multiple sources to


reveal hidden patterns and understand attack vectors.

Q.23. How can a phishing attack be validated?

By analyzing email headers, inspecting URLs or attachments,


checking sender authenticity, and reviewing recipient actions.

Q.24. What steps should be followed when handling a


ransomware incident?

Isolate infected systems, identify malware, review encryption


behavior, preserve evidence, and initiate incident response
protocol.
L2
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.25. What are some common indicators of privilege


escalation?

Unusual privilege assignments, access to sensitive files,


execution of system-level commands, or group membership
changes.

Q.26. How can a complex incident be resolved and


documented?

By conducting root cause analysis, mitigating the threat,


documenting steps taken, and updating playbooks for future
reference.

Q.27. What are threat intelligence feeds and why are they
important?

Threat intel feeds provide up-to-date data on known threats (IPs,


domains, hashes), helping analysts stay ahead of new attacks.
L2
soc Analyst 30 Questions and Answers

Q.28. How is endpoint telemetry analyzed during an


investigation?

Using EDR tools to assess file activity, process behavior, registry


modifications, and network connections on the affected
endpoint.

Q.29. What is the purpose of packet analysis tools like


Wireshark?

These tools capture and inspect network packets to detect


anomalies, unauthorized data transfer, or malicious traffic.

Q.30. How can SOC processes be continuously improved?

By refining detection rules, updating response playbooks,


reducing false positives, automating tasks, and training the
team.
Crack your SOC interview with
confidence—practice with
Thinkcloudly’s simple and effective
questions!

+1 (646) 980‑6267 www.thinkcloudly.com [email protected]

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