AES 8 - Cyber Security Compliance

Overview of the Australian Essential Eight

The Essential Eight is a set of cybersecurity strategies deve

Understanding the Essential Eight: Your First Step to Cyber Resilience

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed a practical set of cybersecurity strategies called the Essential Eight. This framework is designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber threats.

It’s not a “one-size-fits-all” checklist — it’s a flexible approach that lets you scale your cybersecurity efforts based on your needs and current maturity.

The Essential Eight Explained

1. Application Control
   Only allow approved applications to run on your systems. This helps block malware and untrusted software.
2. Patch Applications
   Keep your software up to date. Applying security patches promptly fixes known vulnerabilities.
3. Restrict Office Macros
   Macros in Microsoft Office can be dangerous. Block those from the internet, and only allow trusted ones to run.
4. User Application Hardening
   Disable features in apps you don’t need — like Flash or Java — to reduce the attack surface.
5. Restrict Admin Privileges
   Limit who has admin access and keep an eye on those accounts. The fewer admin users, the better.
6. Patch Operating Systems
   Keep your operating systems patched just like your apps. Unpatched systems are an open door for attackers.
7. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   Add an extra layer of login security. MFA makes it much harder for someone to break in using stolen passwords.
8. Regular Backups
   Back up your data, apps, and settings often. Make sure your backups can’t be tampered with, and test them regularly.

Maturity Levels

The Essential Eight also includes maturity levels (0–3) to help organisations track their progress:

• Level 0: No formal protection
• Level 1–2: Partial or improving protections
• Level 3: Full implementation with strong defences (ideal target for most organisations)

Why It Matters

Implementing the Essential Eight helps you:

• Reduce risk – Less chance of attacks or costly downtime
• Achieve compliance – Aligns with government and industry security requirements
• Save money – Prevents expensive recovery costs and legal issues
• Build trust – Shows customers and partners you take cybersecurity seriously

Preventive Measures

Preventing ransomware attacks is crucial for safeguarding your organisation's data and operations. We provide practical advice on implementing preventive measures, including:

• User Awareness Training: Educating employees about the risks of phishing emails, malicious links, and suspicious attachments is paramount. We discuss the importance of ongoing training programs to build a vigilant workforce.
• Strong Security Hygiene: Ensuring robust security measures, such as regularly updating software and operating systems, applying security patches promptly, and using up-to-date antivirus software, helps protect against known vulnerabilities.
• Secure Backup and Recovery: Implementing a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy is vital. We outline best practices for creating backups, securing backup data, and testing the restoration process to ensure readiness in the event of an attack.

Incident Response Strategies - https://www.crashtechnology.com.au/insight/news/cyber-incident-response-plan

In the unfortunate event of a ransomware attack, a well-defined incident response plan can minimise damage and facilitate recovery. We provide guidance on developing an effective incident response strategy, including:

• Incident Detection and Reporting: Establishing robust monitoring systems and early detection mechanisms can help identify ransomware attacks promptly. We outline the key indicators of a potential attack and emphasise the importance of reporting incidents immediately.
• Containment and Mitigation: Taking swift action to contain the attack and prevent further spread is crucial. We discuss containment strategies, including isolating affected systems, disabling network access, and shutting down compromised accounts.
• Engaging with Law Enforcement: In certain cases, involving law enforcement agencies can aid in investigations and potentially help recover encrypted data. We provide guidelines for reporting incidents and working collaboratively with law enforcement.

 Final Tip:
Start small. Even partial implementation improves your defences. Reach out to the team at Crash Technology for a free IT consult to assess your current maturity level and make a plan to improve it over time.