CSIRT

Term from Cybersecurity industry explained for recruiters

A CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team) is like a company's emergency response team for computer security problems. Think of them as the cyber firefighters who handle security emergencies, investigate suspicious activities, and help prevent future attacks. They're also known as CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) or IRT (Incident Response Team). These teams are responsible for coordinating responses to cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security incidents. They work closely with other IT teams to protect an organization's computer systems and data.

Examples in Resumes

Led CSIRT team in responding to and resolving major security incidents

Created incident response playbooks as part of CERT responsibilities

Managed security incidents as key member of IRT team

Developed and implemented CSIRT procedures for Fortune 500 company

Typical job title: "CSIRT Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Incident Response Analyst Security Incident Handler CERT Analyst Cybersecurity Incident Responder Information Security Analyst Security Operations Analyst Cyber Defense Analyst

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you build and manage a CSIRT team from scratch?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating incident response plans, establishing team roles, setting up communication channels, developing relationships with other departments, and creating documentation and training programs.

Q: How do you handle a major security breach affecting multiple systems?

Expected Answer: Should explain prioritization of incidents, coordination with different teams, communication with management, containment strategies, and post-incident analysis.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps do you take when responding to a potential security incident?

Expected Answer: Should describe the basic incident response lifecycle: identification, containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned.

Q: How do you determine if an alert requires escalation?

Expected Answer: Should explain assessment of impact, severity levels, types of threats, and when to involve senior team members or management.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic tools do you use for incident detection and response?

Expected Answer: Should mention common security tools, incident tracking systems, and basic log analysis capabilities.

Q: How do you document security incidents?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic incident documentation including timeline, actions taken, and communication with team members.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic incident handling and documentation
  • Understanding of common security threats
  • Use of basic security monitoring tools
  • Following established response procedures

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Independent incident investigation
  • Threat analysis and assessment
  • Security tool configuration
  • Incident response plan development

Senior (5+ years)

  • Team leadership and management
  • Advanced incident handling
  • Strategic security planning
  • Cross-team coordination

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of basic security concepts
  • Poor communication skills
  • Lack of incident documentation experience
  • No understanding of incident response processes
  • Unable to work in high-pressure situations