Interviewing can be difficult for an effective leader and hiring manager simply because there's a lot to cover in a relatively short amount time. With so many aspects of cybersecurity that need to be explored in the community banking and credit union world, efficiency is key when assessing new (and existing) team members.
We compiled a list of 37 questions that a Community Bank or Credit Union IT security leader may consider asking during a leadership interview to assess technical capabilities, experience and knowledge in cybersecurity:
General Technical and Cybersecurity Knowledge:
- Please provide an overview of your experience in IT leadership, specifically within the financial sector.
- How do you stay updated on the latest trends and threats in cybersecurity?
- What is your experience with implementing and managing cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST or ISO 27001?
- What is your approach to balancing security and usability in financial systems?
- Have you developed and implemented a disaster recovery plan? If so, please share an example.
Network Security:
- How would you secure and monitor network traffic to protect sensitive financial data?
- What is the difference between stateful and stateless firewalls, and when each might be appropriate?
- What strategies would you use to defend against DDoS attacks?
Endpoint Security:
- How do you ensure the security of endpoint devices (e.g., computers, mobile devices) within the organization?
- What measures would you take to prevent and respond to a cyberattack?
Identity and Access Management (IAM):
- How would you design and implement an effective IAM strategy for a financial institution?
- Explain the concept of least privilege and how it applies to IAM.
Incident Response and Threat Intelligence:
- Describe your experience in developing and implementing an incident response plan.
- How would you leverage threat intelligence to enhance the organization's cybersecurity posture?
Data Security:
- What measures would you take to secure sensitive financial data, both in transit and at rest?
- How do you ensure compliance with data protection regulations, such as GDPR or CCPA?
Cloud Security:
- What is your opinion on migrating financial systems to the cloud? What security considerations would you need to address?
- How do you ensure the security of data hosted in a cloud environment?
Vendor Management:
- How do you assess and manage cybersecurity risks associated with third-party vendors and service providers?
Security Training and Awareness:
- How would you establish and maintain a cybersecurity training program for employees?
Security Policy and Compliance:
- What is your experience in developing and enforcing IT security policies?
- How do you ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards in the financial sector?
Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Management:
- Have you been involved in penetration testing activities? How did you address the findings?
- How would you prioritize and manage vulnerabilities identified in a security assessment?
Security Monitoring and Analytics:
- What tools and techniques do you use for continuous security monitoring?
- How would you detect and respond to a security incident in real-time?
Encryption:
- How do you implement encryption to protect sensitive communications and data?
Mobile Security:
- How do you secure mobile banking applications and ensure the safety of customer data on mobile devices?
Secure Development Practices:
- What steps would you take to ensure that software developed in-house adheres to secure coding practices?
Security Governance:
- How do you establish and maintain a strong security governance framework within the IT department?
Emerging Technologies:
- How do you approach the security implications of emerging technologies, such as blockchain or AI?
Resilience and Redundancy:
- What is your experience in designing and implementing resilient and redundant IT systems?
Collaboration and Communication Skills:
- How do you communicate complex cybersecurity concepts and risks to non-technical stakeholders?
- Share an example of a successful collaboration with other departments to enhance overall cybersecurity.
Professional Development:
- How do you invest in your professional development to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity?
Scenarios and Problem-Solving:
- Walk through a challenging cybersecurity issue you faced in your previous role and how you resolved it.
- In a hypothetical scenario, if the organization suffered a significant data breach, what steps would you take in the first 24 hours?
These questions cover a broad range of technical and cybersecurity aspects, helping the leadership assess the candidate's knowledge, experience, and problem-solving skills in the context of a financial institution's IT environment.
Yes, we agree that 37 is a significantly high number of questions to be asking in a single interview. This list is not meant to be the outline for an interrogation, but more a list of questions that you can choose from to help you better prepare for your discussion.
What other questions would you add and why? You can share them in the comments section below.