Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: SIEM XDR GDPR

CVSS

Term from Cybersecurity industry explained for recruiters

CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) is like a universal rating system for security problems in computer systems. Think of it as a risk score - similar to how credit scores rate financial risk. Security professionals use CVSS to measure how serious a security weakness is, with scores typically ranging from 0 (low risk) to 10 (highest risk). This helps companies prioritize which security issues need fixing first, much like how a doctor uses vital signs to determine which patients need immediate attention. When you see CVSS mentioned in resumes or job descriptions, it means the person knows how to assess and communicate security risks in a standardized way.

Examples in Resumes

Evaluated and prioritized security vulnerabilities using CVSS scoring system

Led vulnerability assessment programs utilizing CVSS metrics to determine risk levels

Created security reports and remediation plans based on CVSS scores

Trained junior security analysts in CVSS scoring methodology

Typical job title: "Security Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Security Engineer Vulnerability Analyst Information Security Analyst Cybersecurity Engineer Security Risk Analyst Vulnerability Management Specialist Security Assessment Specialist

Where to Find Security Analysts

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you explain CVSS scoring to management when prioritizing security fixes?

Expected Answer: A senior analyst should explain how they translate technical CVSS scores into business risk terms, providing examples of how they use the scores to make practical decisions about resource allocation and fix priorities.

Q: How do you handle situations where CVSS scores don't align with business impact?

Expected Answer: Should discuss how they balance standard CVSS scores with business context, explaining situations where they might prioritize lower-scored vulnerabilities due to specific business risks.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What are the main components that make up a CVSS score?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic elements like base score, temporal score, and environmental score in simple terms, and how they contribute to the final rating.

Q: How do you use CVSS scores in vulnerability management?

Expected Answer: Should describe how they use scores to prioritize vulnerabilities, set remediation timelines, and communicate risk levels to different stakeholders.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What does a CVSS score of 9.8 indicate?

Expected Answer: Should explain that this indicates a critical vulnerability requiring immediate attention, and be able to give examples of what kinds of security issues might receive such a high score.

Q: What's the difference between low, medium, and high CVSS scores?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of the basic scoring ranges and what they mean in terms of risk and urgency of fixes.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of CVSS scoring system
  • Ability to read and interpret CVSS scores
  • Basic vulnerability assessment
  • Understanding of security fundamentals

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Detailed CVSS score calculation
  • Vulnerability management
  • Risk assessment and prioritization
  • Security reporting and documentation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Advanced risk assessment
  • Program development and management
  • Strategic security planning
  • Team leadership and training

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Unable to explain what CVSS scores mean in practical terms
  • No experience with vulnerability management tools
  • Lack of understanding about basic security concepts
  • No knowledge of how to prioritize security fixes based on scores