SOC ANALYST INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(4 Common Attacks Scenario)
Scenario 1 (Brute-Force):
You are a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst working with a SIEM
solution (Splunk). You notice an alert for multiple failed login attempts
from a single IP address within a short time frame, which could indicate a
potential brute-force attack.
Questions and Expected Responses:
1. Initial Response:
Question: What is your immediate action upon receiving an alert for multiple failed login
attempts?
Expected Response: My immediate action would be to acknowledge the alert and
begin an initial investigation. I would verify the alert details, such as the source IP
address, the affected user accounts, and the time frame of the failed attempts. This
helps in understanding the scope and potential impact of the incident.
2. Log Analysis:
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
Question: How would you analyse the logs to gather more information about the
suspicious activity?
Expected Response: Using the SIEM tool, I would search for all authentication logs
related to the source IP address. I would filter the logs to display both failed and
successful login attempts, if any, to determine the pattern of the attack. I would also
correlate these events with other log sources to see if there are any related
suspicious activities.
3. Correlation and Context:
Question: How would you use the SIEM’s correlation capabilities to identify if this is part
of a larger attack?
Expected Response: I would use the SIEM's correlation rules to identify any additional
indicators of compromise (IoCs) related to the source IP or targeted accounts. This
includes looking for other anomalies such as unusual login locations, simultaneous
logins from different locations, or access attempts to critical systems. Splunk’s event
correlation and visualization tools can be particularly useful for this purpose.
4.Threat Intelligence:
Question: How can threat intelligence be integrated into your analysis of this alert?
Expected Response: I would check the source IP address against threat intelligence
feeds integrated with our SIEM to see if it has been associated with known malicious
activity.
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This can provide additional context and help assess the risk level. In Splunk, I would use
threat intelligence apps or lookups.
5. Mitigation and Response:
Question: What mitigation steps would you take to address this potential brute-force
attack?
Expected Response: First, I would block the suspicious IP address at the firewall to
prevent further attempts. Then, I would notify the IT team to review and reset the
passwords of the affected accounts. I would also suggest implementing account
lockout policies after a certain number of failed attempts to prevent brute-force
attacks in the future.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Question: After addressing the immediate threat, what steps would you take to prevent
similar incidents in the future?
Expected Response: I would conduct a thorough review of the incident to understand
how it occurred and why it wasn't prevented initially. Based on the findings, I would
update our SIEM rules and correlation logic to better detect similar patterns.
Additionally, I would recommend enhancing our security controls, such as multi-factor
authentication (MFA), to make it more difficult for attackers to succeed.
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Question: How would you document and report this incident?
Expected Response: I would document all findings, actions taken, and the outcome of
the incident in an incident report. This report would include timelines, affected
systems and accounts, steps taken to mitigate the threat, and recommendations for
future prevention. I would also ensure that this report is shared with relevant
stakeholders and included in our incident response documentation for future
reference.
Detailed Example Answer for Splunk:
1. Immediate Action:
Open the alert in Splunk and review the alert details.
Acknowledge the alert to ensure it's being tracked.
2. Log Analysis:
Use SPL to search for authentication logs related to the source IP:
SPL
index=authentication_logs sourcetype=auth_logs src_ip="suspicious_ip"
Review both failed and successful login attempts.
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3. Correlation and Context:
Use Splunk’s correlation capabilities to look for related events:
SPL
index=* src_ip="suspicious_ip"
| transaction user maxspan=30m
| search eventcount>5
Identify any patternsor related suspicious activities.
4. Threat Intelligence:
Check the sourceIP against threat intelligence feeds:
SPL
| inputlookup threat_intel_lookup
| search ip="suspicious_ip"
5. Mitigation and Response:
Block the IP address and notify the IT team.
Implement account lockout policies and reset affected passwords.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
Review and update SIEM rules to detect similar patterns.
Recommend MFA and other security enhancements.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Document all findings and actions in an incident report.
Share the report with stakeholders and update incident response documentation.
By demonstrating a thorough understanding of the steps involved in analysing multiple
login failures, you can effectively showcase your ability to handle such incidents in a
cybersecurity role.
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
Scenario 2 (Port Scanning):
You are a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst monitoring network
traffic using a SIEM solution (Splunk). An alert is generated indicating a
potential port scanning activity originating from an external IP address.
Questions and Expected Responses:
1. Initial Response:
Question: What steps would you take immediately upon receiving a port scanning alert?
Expected Response: I would first acknowledge the alert to ensure it is being tracked.
Then, I would review the details of the alert, including the source IP address, the
targeted network segments, and the specific ports being scanned. This helps in
understanding the scope and potential intent of the scan.
2. Log Analysis:
Question: How would you analyse the logs to gather more information about the
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
suspicious port scanning activity?
Expected Response: Using the SIEM tool, I would search for network traffic logs
related to the source IP address. I would filter the logs to display all connection
attempts, noting the frequency and sequence of port scans. Additionally, I would
check for any corresponding firewall or IDS/IPS logs to see if any other defenses
detected and potentially blocked the scans.
3. Correlation and Context:
Question: How would you use the SIEM’s correlation capabilities to identify if this port
scan is part of a larger attack?
Expected Response: I would use the SIEM's correlation engine to identify if there are
any related alerts or suspicious activities from the same source IP or targeting the
same network segment. This includes checking for follow-up activities like login
attempts or exploit attempts on open ports. Correlating this information helps
determine if the port scan is part of a reconnaissance phase of a larger attack.
4.Threat Intelligence:
Question: How can threat intelligence be integrated into your analysis of this port
scanning alert?
Expected Response: I would check the source IP address against threat intelligence
feeds integrated with our SIEM to see if it has been associated with known malicious
actors or previous attacks. This can provide additional context and help assess the
risk level of the port scan.
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5. Mitigation and Response:
Question: What mitigation steps would you take to address this potential port scanning
activity?
Expected Response: First, I would block the source IP address at the perimeter
firewall to prevent further reconnaissance activities. Then, I would review the firewall
and IDS/IPS configurations to ensure they are properly tuned to detect and block such
activities in the future. Additionally, I would notify the network team and potentially
affected asset owners about the incident.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Question: After addressing the immediate threat, what steps would you take to prevent
similar incidents in the future?
Expected Response: I would conduct a post-incident review to understand how the
port scan was detected and why it was not blocked sooner. Based on the findings, I
would update our SIEM rules and correlation logic to better detect similar patterns. I
would also recommend implementing or refining network segmentation and access
control measures to limit the exposure of critical assets.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Question: How would you document and report this incident?
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
Expected Response: I would document all findings, actions taken, and the outcome of
the incident in an incident report. This report would include timelines, affected
systems, and accounts, steps taken to mitigate the threat, and recommendations for
future prevention. I would also ensure that this report is shared with relevant
stakeholders and included in our incident response documentation for future
reference.
Detailed Example Answer for Splunk:
1. Immediate Action:
Open the alert in Splunk and review the alert details.
Acknowledge the alert to ensure it's being tracked.
2. Log Analysis:
Use SPL to search for authentication logs related to the source IP:
SPL
index=network_traffic sourcetype=firewall_logs src_ip="suspicious_ip"
Review the sequence and frequency of port scans.
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3. Correlation and Context:
Use Splunk’s correlation capabilities to look for related events:
SPL
index=* src_ip="suspicious_ip"
| transaction dest_ip maxspan=30m
| search eventcount>5
Identify any patterns or related suspicious activities.
4. Threat Intelligence:
Check the source IP against threat intelligence feeds:
SPL
| inputlookup threat_intel_lookup
| search ip="suspicious_ip"
5. Mitigation and Response:
Block the IP address at the firewall and notify the IT team.
Ensure firewall and IDS/IPS configurations are tuned to detect and block port scanning.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
Review and update SIEM rules to detect similar patterns.
Recommend network segmentation and access control measures.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Document all findings and actions in an incident report.
Share the report with stakeholders and update incident response documentation.
By demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in analysing and
responding to a port scanning alert, you can effectively showcase your ability to handle
such incidents in a cybersecurity role.
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
Scenario 3 (Malware):
You are a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst monitoring endpoint
security using a SIEM solution Splunk. An alert is generated indicating a
potential malware infection on one of the corporate workstations. The
malware was detected by the endpoint protection system.
Questions and Expected Responses:
1. Initial Response:
Question: What steps would you take immediately upon receiving a malware detection
alert?
Expected Response: My immediate action would be to acknowledge the alert to
ensure it is being tracked. I would then review the alert details, such as the affected
machine's IP address, the type of malware detected, the time of detection, and any
associated user information. This helps in understanding the severity and potential
impact of the malware infection.
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
2. Log Analysis:
Question: How would you analyse the logs to gather more information about the
malware infection?
Expected Response: Using the SIEM tool, I would search for logs from the endpoint
protection system related to the infected machine. I would look for details such as the
malware signature, file paths, and actions taken by the endpoint protection system
(e.g., quarantine, delete). Additionally, I would review other related logs, such as
network traffic and user activity logs, to identify any unusual behaviour or signs of
lateral movement.
3. Correlation and Context:
Question: How would you use the SIEM’s correlation capabilities to identify if this
malware infection is part of a larger attack?
Expected Response: I would use the SIEM's correlation engine to look for other
related alerts or suspicious activities from the same machine or user account. This
includes checking for unusual network traffic patterns, access to critical systems, or
similar alerts on other machines. Correlating this information helps determine if the
malware infection is isolated or part of a coordinated attack.
4.Threat Intelligence:
Question: How can threat intelligence be integrated into your analysis of this malware
alert?
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Expected Response: I would check the malware signature and associated indicators of
compromise (IoCs) against threat intelligence feeds integrated with our SIEM. This can
provide additional context about the malware, such as its behaviour, known command-
and-control (C2) servers, and if it has been associated with known threat actors. This
information helps assess the risk level and potential impact of the malware infection.
5. Mitigation and Response:
Question: What mitigation steps would you take to address this malware infection?
Expected Response: First, I would isolate the infected machine from the network to
prevent further spread. Then, I would coordinate with the IT team to perform a
thorough scan and removal of the malware. If necessary, I would reimage the machine. I
would also review and reset any compromised user credentials and notify affected
users. Finally, I would ensure all systems are up-to-date with the latest security
patches and endpoint protection signatures.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Question: After addressing the immediate threat, what steps would you take to prevent
similar incidents in the future?
Expected Response: I would conduct a post-incident review to understand how the
malware infection occurred and why it was not prevented initially. Based on the
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
findings, I would update our endpoint protection policies, improve our SIEM detection
rules, and implement additional security controls if necessary. I would also provide
security awareness training to users to prevent similar incidents.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Question: How would you document and report this incident?
Expected Response: I would document all findings, actions taken, and the outcome of
the incident in an incident report. This report would include timelines, affected
systems, and accounts, steps taken to mitigate the threat, and recommendations for
future prevention. I would also ensure that this report is shared with relevant
stakeholders and included in our incident response documentation for future
reference.
Detailed Example Answer for Splunk:
1. Immediate Action:
Open the alert in Splunk and review the alert details.
Acknowledge the alert to ensure it's being tracked.
2. Log Analysis:
Use SPL to search for endpoint protection logs related to the infected machine:
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
SPL
index=endpoint_protection sourcetype=antivirus_logs host="infected_machine"
Review details such as malware signature, file paths, and actions taken.
3. Correlation and Context:
Use Splunk’s correlation capabilities to look for related events:
SPL
index=* host="infected_machine"
| transaction user maxspan=30m
| search eventcount>5
Identify any patterns or related suspicious activities.
4. Threat Intelligence:
Check the source IP against threat intelligence feeds:
SPL
| inputlookup threat_intel_lookup
| search signature="malware_signature"
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
5. Mitigation and Response:
Isolate the infected machine from the network and notify the IT team.
Perform a thorough scan and removal of the malware.
Reimage the machine if necessary and reset any compromised credentials.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Review and update end point protection policies and SIEM detection rules.
Implement additional security controls and provide security awareness training.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Document all findings and actions in an incident report.
Share the report with stakeholders and update incident response documentation.
By demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in analysing and
responding to a malware detection alert, you can effectively show case your ability to
handle such incidents in a cybersecurity role.
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
Scenario 4 (SQL Injection):
You are a Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst working with a SIEM
solution (Splunk). You receive an alert indicating a potential SQL injection
attacktargeting a web application hosted on your corporate server. The
alert was triggered by a specific SIEM rule designed to detect SQL
injection attempts.
Questions and Expected Responses:
1. Initial Response:
Question: What is your immediate action upon receiving an SQL injection alert?
Expected Response: My immediate action would be to acknowledge the alert to
ensure it is tracked. I would then review the alert details, such as the source IP
address, the target URL or web application, the payload of the suspicious request, and
the time of the attack. This helps in understanding the scope and potential impact of
the incident.
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
2. Log Analysis:
Question: How would you analyse the logs to gather more information about the
suspicious activity?
Expected Response: Using the SIEM tool, I would search for web server logs related to
the target application and source IP. I would look for HTTP request logs to identify the
exact payloads used in the potential SQL injection attempts. Additionally, I would
check for patterns that match common SQL injection signatures, such as unexpected
database errors or unusual query structures.
3. Correlation and Context:
Question: How would you use the SIEM’s correlation capabilities to identify if this SQL
injection attempt is part of a larger attack?
Expected Response: I would use the SIEM’s correlation rules to identify any related
alerts or suspicious activities from the same source IP or targeting the same web
application. This includes looking for other types of web attacks, scanning activities,
or any signs of successful exploitation like unauthorized data access. Correlating
these events helps determine if the SQL injection attempt is part of a broader attack
campaign.
4.Threat Intelligence:
Question: How can threat intelligence be integrated into your analysis of this SQL
injection alert?
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Expected Response: I would check the source IP address against threat intelligence
feeds integrated with our SIEM to see if it has been associated with known malicious
actors or previous attacks. This can provide additional context and help assess the risk
level of the port scan.
5. Mitigation and Response:
Question: What mitigation steps would you take to address this potential SQL injection
attack?
Expected Response: First, I would block the source IP address at the web application
firewall (WAF) to prevent further attempts. Then, I would review the web application’s
code and input validation mechanisms to identify and fix any vulnerabilities that
allowed the SQL injection attempt. Additionally, I would ensure that the database and
web server configurations follow best security practices, such as using parameterized
queries and proper error handling.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Question: After addressing the immediate threat, what steps would you take to prevent
similar incidents in the future?
Expected Response: I would conduct a thorough review of the incident to understand
how the SQL injection attempt occurred and why it was not blocked initially. Based on
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
the findings, I would update our SIEM rules and correlation logic to better detect similar
patterns. Additionally, I would recommend conducting regular security code reviews,
performing penetration testing on web applications, and providing secure coding
training to developers.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Question: How would you document and report this incident?
Expected Response: I would document all findings, actions taken, and the outcome of
the incident in an incident report. This report would include timelines, affected
systems and applications, steps taken to mitigate the threat, and recommendations for
future prevention. I would also ensure that this report is shared with relevant
stakeholders and included in our incident response documentation for future
reference.
Detailed Example Answer for Splunk:
1. Immediate Action:
Open the alert in Splunk and review the alert details.
Acknowledge the alert to ensure it's being tracked.
2. Log Analysis:
Use SPL to search for web server logs related to the target application and source IP:
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
SPL
index=web_logs sourcetype=access_combined src_ip="suspicious_ip"
uri_path="/target_application"
Review HTTP request logs for SQL injection payloads and patterns.
3. Correlation and Context:
Use Splunk’s correlation capabilities to look for related events:
SPL
index=* src_ip="suspicious_ip" OR uri_path="/target_application"
| transaction user maxspan=30m
| search eventcount>5
Identify any patterns or related suspicious activities.
4. Threat Intelligence:
Check the source IP and payload signatures against threat intelligence feeds:
SPL
| inputlookup threat_intel_lookup
| search ip="suspicious_ip" OR signature="sql_injection_signature"
SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
5. Mitigation and Response:
Block the source IP address at the WAF and notify the web application team.
Review and fix web application vulnerabilities, ensuring parameterized queries are
used.
6. Post-Incident Actions:
Review and update SIEM rules to detect similar patterns.
Conduct regular security code reviews and penetration testing.
7. Documentation and Reporting:
Document all findings and actions in an incident report.
Share the report with stakeholders and update incident response documentation.
By demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in analyzing and
responding to an SQL injection attack detection alert, you can effectively showcase your
ability to handle such incidents in a cybersecurity role.
SIEM XPERT (https://siemxpert.com)
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SOC Analyst Interview Questions & Answers (4 Common Attacks Scenario)
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