Methodology & Reporting

Answer: Common phases include reconnaissance, enumeration, vulnerability analysis, exploitation (if allowed), and reporting. Good pentesters confirm scope and document continuously. The report and remediation guidance are often the most valuable outcome.

Tip: Mention scope + documentation throughout.

Answer: Scope defines what targets and actions are authorized. It prevents accidental testing of systems you are not permitted to touch. Junior pentesters should confirm scope before scanning or exploiting.

Tip: Good line: “If it’s not in scope, I don’t touch it.”

Answer: RoE are the agreed testing rules like time windows, prohibited actions, escalation contacts, and emergency stop procedures. They protect production systems and set expectations. Following RoE shows professionalism.

Tip: Mention test windows + emergency contact.

Answer: Severity is usually based on impact and likelihood. Many teams use CVSS plus business context like data sensitivity and exposure. A strong answer includes both technical and business impact.

Tip: Impact + Likelihood + Business context.

Answer: A good finding includes description, affected assets, steps to reproduce, evidence, impact, and remediation steps. The goal is for engineers to fix the issue confidently. Clear writing and reproducibility are essential.

Tip: Write findings like a mini guide for developers.

Answer: I keep organized notes with timestamps, commands, endpoints, and results. This supports reproducibility and speeds up reporting. It also prevents repeating steps and reduces mistakes.

Tip: Mention consistent templates or markdown notes.

Answer: Responsible disclosure means reporting vulnerabilities privately to the owner and allowing time to fix before public release. It reduces harm and improves security. In a job, you follow company policy and client agreements.

Tip: Emphasize ethics and following policy.

Answer: I explain what could happen in business terms like account takeover, data exposure, or downtime. I keep it simple: what happened, impact, and recommended fix. This helps leadership prioritize the work.

Tip: Use “what happened / impact / fix” format.

Answer: I follow the RoE escalation process and notify the right contact immediately. I avoid risky actions that could worsen the situation. I also document evidence clearly so responders can act fast.

Tip: Say: “escalate immediately and stop risky actions.”

Answer: I understand fundamentals, can use core tools safely in labs, and can explain findings clearly with remediation. I follow scope and ethics and document my work well. I’m comfortable learning continuously and improving.

Tip: Mention labs + communication + reliability.