How to Prepare for an Optiv Job Interview: Common Questions and Winning Answers

Landing a coveted role at Optiv, a leading cybersecurity solutions provider, requires excelling in their rigorous interview process. With cyber threats continuously evolving, Optiv seeks candidates who can keep up with ever-changing technologies and methodologies.

In this guide, we will cover Optiv’s interview stages, the types of questions asked, and sample answers to help you craft winning responses. Read on to gain insights into Optiv’s culture and ace your upcoming interviews!

Optiv Company Overview

Founded in 2012 from a merger of security firms, Optiv serves over 7,500 clients worldwide. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Optiv maintains over 40 offices globally.

Optiv provides a wide range of cybersecurity services, such as risk management, compliance, threat intelligence, incident response, and more. It works with clients to make security plans that are specific to their business needs and risk tolerance.

Optiv is known for its innovative approach, thought leadership and dedication to client success. Joining Optiv provides unparalleled opportunities to work on advanced cybersecurity projects in diverse industries.

Optiv’s Interview Process

Optiv’s interview process typically comprises:

• Prescreen Recruiter Call: 30 minute call to review your resume and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview 1 hour call with the hiring manager focused on qualifications

• Technical Interview: 2-3 technical interview rounds assessing hard skills like penetration testing, programming or forensic analysis.

• Behavioral Interview: Discussion of soft skills, culture fit and scenario-based questions.

• Team Interview: Cross-functional panel interview with your potential coworkers.

• Offer Optiv aims to deliver offer decisions within 3-4 weeks post interviews

Though rigorous, the phased process allows candidates to showcase their capabilities from diverse angles. Preparing adequately is key to nailing each interview stage.

Common Optiv Interview Questions and Answers

Here are some frequent Optiv interview questions along with winning sample responses

Technical Questions

Q1: What techniques would you use to perform a penetration test on a client’s network?

This assesses your technical knowledge of penetration testing concepts.

Sample Answer: I would start with passive reconnaissance to gather intel on the client’s domains, IPs, open ports and services. This forms the foundation before probing vulnerabilities. Next, I would leverage tools like Nmap, Burp Suite and Netcat to identify potential weaknesses including unpatched systems, default credentials and misconfigurations. Once I have an attack surface footprint, I carefully probe for exploits through techniques like SQL injection, cracking weak passwords and border gateway protocol manipulation to gain further access. Throughout the engagement, I maintain detailed documentation and validate any findings with repeat testing. Post testing, I offer remediation advice aligned to security best practices to help the client strengthen defenses.

Q2: How would you investigate a malware infection incident on a client’s endpoint machines?

This evaluates your forensic analysis abilities.

Sample Answer: When investigating a malware infection, I would begin by isolating the infected machines to prevent lateral spread. Next, I would take forensic disk images without modifying evidence. Using tools like Autopsy and Volatility, I can examine processes, network connections, suspicious files and registry modifications to identify indicators of compromise. If needed, I would recruit threat intelligence to analyze unique malware strains. By tracing back initiation point and reviewing infected artifacts chronologically, I can reconstruct the infection sequence while gathering indicators to scan the broader network. My objective is understanding the malware’s capabilities, propagation methods and ultimately its attack source to recommend improvements to the client’s cyber defenses.

Q3: What defensive measures should a company take to guard against DDoS attacks?

This tests your knowledge of security solutions and mitigation strategies.

Sample Answer: Defending against DDoS begins with having adequate internet bandwidth to absorb excess traffic. Utilizing a cloud scrubbing service can filter malicious traffic before it overwhelms internal networks. Implementing rate-limiting on endpoints, enforcing strong input validation on applications and maintaining updated operating systems curtails exploitability. For web-facing services, a global CDN can efficiently handle excessive traffic across geographies. At the network perimeter, installing a web application firewall helps block dangerous input. Monitoring network traffic patterns can also facilitate early attack detection. With a defense-in-depth approach combining the right mix of solutions, companies can build resilience against various types of DDoS attacks.

Behavioral Questions

Q1: Tell me about a time you successfully led a complex cybersecurity project with a client.

This reveals your project management skills and ability to build client relationships.

Sample Answer: As project lead for a client’s cloud security transformation initiative, I spearheaded cloud infrastructure hardening and migration of on-prem apps to AWS. Knowing scope was broad, I systematically classified workstreams and hammered out a phased roadmap aligning to the client’s priorities, budgets and change appetite. My team’s consistent communication and transparency kept stakeholders aligned through the project’s twists and turns. Whenever issues surfaced, like budget overruns or resource constraints, I brought the client in early to jointly problem-solve solutions that maintained trust. Despite hurdles, my proactive ownership and relationship management culminated in a successful on-time delivery of the client’s vision.

Q2: How do you stay current on the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies?

Optiv wants lifelong learners passionate about continuous skills development.

Sample Answer: Cybersecurity advances rapidly, making ongoing learning essential. I dedicate time weekly to reading industry publications, blogs and analyst reports covering emerging threats and technologies. I also subscribe to white paper services from vendors like Crowdstrike and Palo Alto Networks. In terms of hands-on skills enrichment, I do CTF challenges, experiment with new open source security tools and tinker with technologies like blockchain. I participate in my local OWASP chapter for peer learning opportunities. Conferences like Def Con also provide inspiration on cutting-edge methodologies. Upskilling through diverse channels gives me the edge needed to excel as Optiv’s offerings evolve.

Q3: How do you respond when stakeholders make unreasonable demands?

This reveals your people skills, influencing abilities and emotional intelligence.

Sample Answer: I value mutually constructive relationships with stakeholders. If faced with unreasonable demands, I first seek to understand the rationale behind their expectations and explain any downsides in a non-confrontational manner. I present data on project constraints to frame trade-offs. In cases of budget disagreements, I provide market research on costs to justify overruns transparently. If meetings become tense, I aim to find common ground and restart discussions when emotions have diffused. By maintaining calm and leveraging facts, I can reshape unrealistic demands into achievable compromises without damaging stakeholder trust. My focus stays on our shared goal of a successful project outcome.

With extensive preparation using these examples, you can develop solid responses to frequent Optiv interview questions. Keep these tips and sample answers handy to boost your confidence when interviewing. I wish you the very best in joining Optiv’s mission to secure critical assets and data!