Ken Underhill - Hack the Cybersecurity Interview: A complete interview preparation guide for jumpstarting your cybersecurity career

A complete interview preparation guide for jumpstarting your cybersecurity career

Ken Underhill

Christophe Foulon

Tia Hopkins

BIRMINGHAMMUMBAI

Copyright 2022 Packt Publishing

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I would like to thank my wife for her continued patience and support as I work to make the cyber world a better place. No amount of the impact I've had on millions of people around the world would be possible without her. I would also like to thank all of my students and the people that I have helped with their cybersecurity careers over the years. Your messages of gratitude remind me of why I do what I do. I would also like to thank my long-time business coaches Ed Hoffman and David Wells, PhD, for pushing me past the limitations in my head. As you read this book and grow your successful cybersecurity career, don't forget to reach a hand back to help others with their journey.

Ken Underhill

I would like to thank my wife and son, who support me in all my extra-curricular activities supporting the cybersecurity community, from writing books like this to coaching and podcasts. They are my rock and support when times are tough and are always there for me.

Christophe Foulon

I would like to thank my mother for all the sacrifices she made to ensure I grew up to be a strong and empowered woman. My confidence, resilience, and grit are the direct result of the incredible example she set for me and the values she instilled in me. It is because of her that I have the strength to push forward in the face of adversity. I would also like to thank everyone in the cybersecurity community and beyond who has connected with me over the years to thank me for the impact I've had on their lives and their career journeys. My goal is to always lift as I climb, so it means a great deal to me to know that my efforts and influence are yielding positive results.

Tia Hopkins

To the reader,

When Ken asked me to write this foreword, I jumped at the chance to do so. I have had my share of formal and informal interviews, virtually and in person. My first interview was for a network engineer role at a three-letter agency in the DC area. However, this experience didn't stop me from learning.

Over time, my research and preparation skills improved significantly, landing me various roles, from information security analyst to vulnerability management engineer to sales engineering (technical presales), but having a resource that is concise is gold! In addition, it helps make the interview process a little easier and much more enjoyable.

The authors of this book, Tia, Chris, and Ken, have a plethora of knowledge in various areas of cybersecurity. They are the go-to people for breaking into cyber and advancing in cybersecurity. They focus on different cyber domains, but collectively, they have one goal: to bring more diversity into this field. These three are not only great at what they do but want to see people succeed, and I am happy to call them friends!

On average, only about 20% of applicants for a job will make it to the interview stage. So, when you get to the interview stage, you should probably research questions and how to answer them. If you are reading this book, be prepared. There isn't any fluff. Tia, Chris, and Ken give it to you straight with a bit of humor to keep the mood light. You will find differing experiences for the various roles highlighted in the book and some great things to consider when preparing for your interview. The authors even go as far as providing a framework that you can use to be successful. So, take this book, read what you need, and apply the techniques recommended.

Happy reading,

Mari Galloway

CEO, Founding Board Member

Women's Society of Cyberjutsu

Ken Underhill is the executive producer and host of the syndicated Cyber Life television show, which reaches millions of viewers each month around the world on the Binge Networks app, Amazon, Roku, and over 100 other streaming television channels. He has won multiple industry awards for his work to improve diversity in the industry and is an advocate for women's rights. Ken educates around 2.6 million people each year through his online cybersecurity courses, is an executive and business owner, and sits on the advisory board of Breaking Barriers Women in Cybersecurity (BBWIC) and the Whole Cyber Human Initiative, along with sitting on the board for a number of cybersecurity start-up companies.

I would like to thank my co-authors, Chris and Tia, for agreeing to do this book and sharing their wisdom with the world. I would also like to thank Mari Galloway for agreeing to join us on this book journey. Thanks to our technical editors for surfacing new perspectives as we wrote this book.

Christophe Foulon, senior manager and cybersecurity consultant at F10 FinTech, brings over 15 years of experience as a vCISO, information security manager, adjunct professor, author, and cybersecurity strategist with a passion for customer service, process improvement, and information security. He also has spent more than 10 years leading, coaching, and mentoring people. As a security practitioner, Christophe is focused on helping businesses tackle their cybersecurity risks while minimizing friction, resulting in increased resiliency, and aiding to secure people and processes with a solid understanding of the technology involved. He also hosts the Breaking into Cybersecurity podcast and co-authored