Essential Eight

The Essential Eight is a set of baseline security strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organisations mitigate targeted cyber intrusions. The strategies are designed to address common cyber threats and provide a strong foundation for cybersecurity defences.

Introduction

The Essential Eight consists of eight security strategies that organisations can implement to enhance their cybersecurity posture. These strategies are categorised into two main groups: mitigation strategies to prevent cyber intrusions, and detection and response strategies to detect and respond to cyber incidents. The strategies are as follows:

1. Application Whitelisting: Limit the execution of unauthorised software by allowing only approved and trusted applications to run.

2. Patch Applications: Regularly update and patch applications to protect against known vulnerabilities.

3. Patch Operating Systems: Keep operating systems up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate known vulnerabilities.

4. Restrict Administrative Privileges: Limit administrative privileges to authorised personnel to prevent unauthorised access and minimise the impact of potential compromises.

5. Disable Untrusted Microsoft Office Macros: Configure Microsoft Office settings to disable or restrict the execution of macros from untrusted sources.

6. User Application Hardening: Configure web browsers and email clients to block or warn users about potentially malicious content, such as JavaScript or Adobe Flash.

7. Multi-Factor Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication to provide an additional layer of security for accessing sensitive systems and data.

8. Daily Backups: Regularly back up important data and verify the integrity of backups to ensure data can be restored in the event of a cyber incident.

Benefits

Implementing the Essential Eight can provide several benefits for organisations, including:

1. Improved cybersecurity defences: The strategies address common attack vectors and help organisations mitigate targeted cyber intrusions effectively.

2. Reduced risk of compromise: By implementing these strategies, organisations can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful cyber attacks and minimise the potential impact of security incidents.

3. Enhanced incident detection and response: The detection and response strategies included in the Essential Eight help organisations identify and respond to cyber incidents more effectively.

4. Regulatory compliance: The Essential Eight aligns with many regulatory requirements and industry best practices, helping organisations meet compliance obligations.

5. Cost-effective approach: The strategies focus on fundamental cybersecurity measures and provide a cost-effective approach to improving security posture.

Who is this for?

The Essential Eight is relevant for organisations of all sizes and industries within Australia. It is particularly beneficial for organisations that handle sensitive or critical information, such as government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and businesses with high-value intellectual property.

Costs of Implementation and Timeframes

The costs of implementing the Essential Eight can vary depending on the organisation’s size, existing security measures, and complexity of IT systems. The timeframes for implementation will also depend on these factors. It is recommended to develop a detailed implementation plan that includes budgeting for necessary resources, engaging relevant stakeholders, and scheduling activities over an appropriate timeframe.

How do I get started?

To get started with implementing the Essential Eight, organisations can follow these steps:

1. Prioritise implementation: Prioritise the Essential Eight strategies based on the specific risks and needs of your organisation in the Swise Security dashboard.

2. Engage relevant stakeholders: Involve key stakeholders, such as IT teams, security personnel, and management, to ensure a coordinated effort and obtain necessary support.

3. Allocate resources: Allocate appropriate resources, including budget, personnel, and technology, to support the implementation of the Essential Eight strategies.