Phishing

Term from Cybersecurity industry explained for recruiters

Phishing is a common type of cyber attack where criminals try to trick people into revealing sensitive information like passwords or credit card details. It's similar to real-world fraud but happens through digital channels like email or fake websites. Cybersecurity professionals need to understand phishing because they're responsible for protecting organizations from these threats through employee training, setting up security measures, and responding to incidents when they occur. You might also see terms like "social engineering" or "email security" used in similar contexts. Think of it like digital self-defense training for companies.

Examples in Resumes

Developed and conducted Phishing awareness training for 500+ employees

Led Phishing prevention program reducing successful attacks by 75%

Created automated Phishing detection systems to protect company email

Responded to and analyzed Phishing incidents as part of security operations team

Typical job title: "Security Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Cybersecurity Analyst Information Security Analyst Security Engineer IT Security Specialist Security Awareness Trainer Email Security Specialist Security Operations Analyst

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you develop a company-wide anti-phishing strategy?

Expected Answer: Should discuss comprehensive approach including employee training programs, technical controls, incident response procedures, and measuring effectiveness through metrics and testing.

Q: How do you stay current with new phishing techniques and threats?

Expected Answer: Should mention following threat intelligence feeds, participating in security communities, reading industry reports, and adapting security measures based on new information.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What steps would you take to respond to a successful phishing attack?

Expected Answer: Should outline incident response steps: isolating affected systems, resetting compromised credentials, investigating scope of breach, and implementing preventive measures.

Q: How would you measure the effectiveness of phishing awareness training?

Expected Answer: Should discuss using simulated phishing tests, tracking reporting rates, monitoring actual incident numbers, and gathering feedback from employees.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are common indicators of a phishing email?

Expected Answer: Should identify basic red flags like spelling errors, urgent language, suspicious sender addresses, and unusual requests for sensitive information.

Q: How would you explain phishing risks to non-technical employees?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to communicate security concepts in simple terms using real-world examples and relatable scenarios.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of phishing techniques
  • Ability to identify common phishing attempts
  • Knowledge of security awareness basics
  • Experience with email security tools

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Implementing anti-phishing solutions
  • Conducting security awareness training
  • Incident response handling
  • Phishing campaign analysis

Senior (5+ years)

  • Development of security strategies
  • Advanced threat analysis
  • Program management
  • Security policy development

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of current phishing trends and techniques
  • Lack of experience with security awareness training
  • Poor communication skills for explaining security concepts
  • No understanding of email security protocols
  • Limited knowledge of incident response procedures

Related Terms