1. What are the fundamental principles of the CIA triad in information security?
Ans:
The CIA triad in information security stands for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, forming the essential foundation of cybersecurity. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive data is accessible only to individuals with proper authorization. Integrity guarantees that information remains accurate, complete, and unaltered, preventing unauthorized modifications. Availability ensures that systems, networks, and data are consistently accessible to legitimate users when needed. Together, these three principles create a robust framework for protecting digital assets and maintaining trust in information systems.
2. How do symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques vary?
Ans:
Symmetric encryption uses a single secret key for both encrypting and decrypting information, providing faster performance but requiring secure key exchange. In contrast, asymmetric encryption relies on a pair of keys a public key for encryption and a private key for decryption offering enhanced security but generally slower processing. Both encryption types serve crucial and complementary roles in securing communications and safeguarding sensitive information within modern IT environments.
3. What function does a firewall serve in network protection?
Ans:
A firewall is a security device or software solution that regulates the flow of data between networks based on predefined rules. It acts as a shield between a trusted internal network and potentially unsafe external networks, filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to block unauthorized access, prevent malware, and protect sensitive information. Firewalls are a fundamental component of organizational cybersecurity strategies, helping to mitigate threats and maintain network safety.
4. Can you describe a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack and ways to defend against it?
Ans:
A Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack occurs when multiple compromised systems overwhelm a target server or network with a high volume of traffic, rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. Preventive measures include deploying traffic rate limiting, utilizing Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), and leveraging specialized DDoS mitigation services to absorb or redirect malicious traffic. These strategies help maintain uninterrupted access and minimize the impact of such attacks on operations.
5. What is multi-factor authentication (MFA) and why is it important?
Ans:
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances security by requiring users to verify their identity through two or more distinct factors before gaining access to a system. These factors could include something the user knows (password), something the user has (security token), or something the user is (biometric data). By adding multiple layers of verification, MFA significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, protecting sensitive information and ensuring secure user authentication in environments handling critical or confidential data.
6. What is a honeypot in cybersecurity, and what is its purpose?
Ans:
A honeypot is a deliberately vulnerable system designed to lure attackers, acting as a decoy to monitor malicious activity. By observing attacker behavior in a controlled environment, cybersecurity teams can gather intelligence, identify new attack techniques, and strengthen defenses. Honeypots are particularly useful for proactive threat detection and understanding attacker strategies, allowing organizations to improve security measures before real systems are targeted.
7. What is SQL Injection and how can it be prevented?
Ans:
SQL Injection is a type of cyberattack where attackers exploit weaknesses in an application’s database queries to gain unauthorized access, manipulate data, or steal sensitive information. Preventive measures include using prepared statements, parameterized queries, input validation, and proper error handling. These techniques minimize vulnerabilities, protect databases, and ensure applications remain secure against malicious attempts to compromise stored information.
8. Why is the OSI model significant for cybersecurity professionals?
Ans:
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that defines how network communication occurs across seven layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application. For cybersecurity professionals, understanding these layers is critical for identifying vulnerabilities, implementing appropriate security controls, and troubleshooting network issues. This knowledge allows for a structured approach to protecting systems at every level of communication.
9. What are the main types of access control systems?
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Access control systems define how users interact with resources and who can access them. Discretionary Access Control (DAC) allows resource owners to grant or restrict access. Mandatory Access Control (MAC) enforces access based on strict organizational policies. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) assigns permissions according to user roles, ensuring that only authorized individuals can perform specific actions. Organizations implement these models depending on security requirements and regulatory standards.
10. What is a zero-day vulnerability and why is it considered risky?
Ans:
A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw in software that is unknown to the developer or vendor and for which no patch exists. These vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because attackers can exploit them immediately, leaving systems defenseless. Organizations must rely on proactive threat monitoring, real-time intelligence, and rapid incident response to detect and mitigate zero-day exploits before they result in serious security breaches.
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