Top Prescreening Questions to Ask DevSecOps Engineer When Hiring Undefined: A Comprehensive Guide

Can you give a brief about your prior experience in DevSecOps?

This question is essential since it helps to get a better understanding of the candidate's professional background and development skills which are considered an integral part of DevOps.

How do you ensure security in a DevOps environment?

The answer to this question can offer an insight into how the candidate approaches information sovereignty and cybersecurity within a DevOps milieu, making it a pivotal part of the interviewer's consideration.

Can you explain how secure software development lifecycle integrates into DevOps?

Getting a clear picture of the candidate's knowledge about Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDL) and its integration into the DevOps environment is quintessential to ensure the overall operational security integration.

What types of security policies have you managed or developed in your previous roles?

Understanding the candidate's past experience with implementing security policies is instrumental in assessing their capability to handle upcoming security-related tasks and challenges.

How have you used infrastructure as code (IAC) in a security context?

The candidate's familiarity and experience in employing IAC can be a determining factor in their capability to manage coding infrastructures while safeguarding company resources.

What programming languages are you proficient in?

Fortifying your knowledge about the candidate's coding expertise can potentially assist in developing highly secured programs and maintaining strengthened cybersecurity posture.

What is your approach to managing and securing containers and orchestration?

The answer to this question can show the applicant's ability in securing and managing orchestration tools and containers, showcasing their approach towards handling complicated security concerns.

Can you elaborate on some security tools you have experience with?

According to the candidate's proficiency with various security tools, these insights can help select the appropriate candidate in fostering bolstered cybersecurity resilience.

How do you automate security configurations in a CI/CD pipeline?

Ascertaining how the candidate approaches security automation in Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment processes can provide critical insight toward their ability to maintain secure automated operations.

What is your experience with cloud-based infrastructures and their inherent risks?

The candidate's familiarity with cloud-based infrastructures and their inherent risks will allow for the continuous advancement of the security apparatus employed in your organization.

Can you share one of the successful security incident responses you have managed or been part of?

This question can help evaluate how the candidate has problem-solved real-time threats. Proven experience in managing successful incident responses is always a valuable trait in the DevSecOps role.

How did you work with developers in your previous roles to improve the security of their code?

It demonstrates their initiative, knowledge imbibe practices, and collaborative skills with developers and coders in strengthening the overall security structure of applications.

Can you explain how security can be automated in a continuous monitoring and assessment phase?

The answer can reveal the candidate's expertise in automating the pivotal process of continuous monitoring and assessment, critical to maintaining an effective security posture.

How would you handle a situation where some of the data gets breached in the system?

Instances where data breach occurs are common. The way the candidate deals with such circumstances will provide insights on their crisis management capabilities and recovery strategies.

What is your understanding of threat modeling in a DevSecOps environment?

Understanding of threat posing and modeling will help the candidate explore all possible vulnerabilities/issues and devise ways to mitigate them.

Explain the concept of Shift Left in DevSecOps?

Knowledge of the crucial DevSecOps strategy "Shift Left" shows the candidate's understanding of proactive security implementation at the initial stages of the project lifecycle.

Can you explain your strategy for identifying and fixing vulnerabilities in an application?

Understanding how candidates identify, mitigate, and prevent vulnerabilities can provide you with insight into their prioritization and problem-solving skills.

What experience do you have with compliance regulations, such as GDPR or HIPAA?

This provides an understanding of the candidate's knowledge and experience with important legal compliance and regulations- a key factor in data privacy and protection.

What is your experience in instilling and increasing security culture within an organization?

The response to this question can demonstrate the candidate's ability to foster a robust security-oriented culture within the team, which is crucial for a secure DevSecOps implementation.

Can you provide some instances where you incorporated security from the beginning of a software development lifecycle in a DevOps environment?

This will provide insight into the candidate’s proactive approach in embedding security measures right from the beginning of a product’s lifecycle, encapsulating security-close development practices.