The ongoing rise of cyber threats has made security a more pressing issue than ever before. A recently found collection of over 16 billion breached passwords, probably stolen over multiple attacks, has highlighted the danger. If even major corporations – with all their available resources – are not immune to data breaches, then neither are you.
Strong cyber security measures are no longer negotiable, especially in light of increasingly strict regulations. They are a mandatory requirement for all businesses. But they can be difficult to manage, if you don’t know what you’re doing. This is the gap that the Australian Essential 8 aims to fill.
What Is the Australian Essential 8?
Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Essential 8 is a compliance framework designed to help your business build a stronger defense against threats. It was specifically designed for two purposes:
- To be effective from multiple angles
- To be easily implemented by any business, regardless of available resources
This makes it one of the best frameworks available for improving your organisation’s cyber security.
Breaking Down the Essential Eight Mitigation Strategies
The Essential Eight is made up of several strategies, designed to target different attack vectors and build a comprehensive defence when used together. They are as follows:
1. Application Control
Use a whitelist system to prevent unauthorised applications from running. This reduces the risk of malware entering your network.
2. Patch Applications
Keep software and applications up-to-date, to prevent threat actors from exploiting known vulnerabilities.
3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings
Macros can be used to deliver malicious code. Disable or heavily restrict them, so users can’t inadvertently run harmful scripts.
4. User Application Hardening
Disable any unnecessary features in approved applications to limit potential attack vectors.
5. Restrict Administrative Privileges
Tightly control admin privileges, to mitigate the risk associated with a lower-level employee’s account being breached.
6. Patch Operating Systems
Stay on top of OS updates to prevent them from being targeted.
7. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Implement MFA, to stop threat actors who have already successfully stolen login credentials from accessing systems.
8. Daily Backups
Perform and test data backups daily, to ensure it is not lost during an attack.
In addition to these mitigation strategies, the Essential Eight Maturity Model helps you identify the strength of your current cyber security posture. To summarise, it includes four levels from 0 – 3. These levels are measured in terms of what kind of cyber-attack you are prepared to defeat, with 0 representing significant vulnerabilities and 3 meaning your business is extremely resilient.
Using the Maturity Model alongside the security controls will ensure your defences are as strong as possible.
Here are 9 tips to help you build on the Essential Eight framework
Why You Might Need an MSP for the Essential Eight
At its core, the Essential 8 is very easy to implement by design. The security controls tell you what to do, and the Maturity Model helps you determine whether you’ve done enough. Understanding how to do it is another matter entirely. You may not, for example, have any idea how to disable macros from the internet. You might have never heard of them before.
This is where a managed service provider, or MSP, can be useful. Many Australia-based MSPs specialise in the Essential 8. They can help you figure out which security controls you have yet to implement, provide advice on how best to accomplish this, and even do it for you in some cases. If you’re struggling, this might be the right call.
Find the Gaps in Your Security Posture
Compliance is a constant challenge for small businesses, and the Essential 8 provides a solution. It contains all the guidance you need to reduce your risk of both cyber-attacks and legal issues. Embracing it is a smart decision that could pay off significantly in the long run.
With that said, we understand that you might need more information. That’s why we’ve provided a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to walk you through each step of the process. Find it here, and start building your defences today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Essential 8 mandatory for all Australian businesses?
A: The Essential 8 is not legally required, but following it is considered an important cyber security best practice. It will also help align you with regulations that are mandatory.
Q: Do I need Essential 8 certification?
A: To be frank, Essential 8 certification is typically a waste of money for regular businesses. It is more useful for companies working in the IT space. Instead, consider partnering with an MSP who specialises in this topic. This path provides far more value.
Q: Can small and mid-sized businesses implement the Essential 8 Cyber Security Strategies on their own?
A: The Essential Eight is designed to be relatively easy to implement, but your mileage may vary based on your knowledge and experience.
Q: Do I need to reach Maturity Level Three?
A: Not necessarily. You should always aim for the highest level possible, so if you can achieve Level Three, that’s fantastic. But for businesses with a lower risk profile, it’s fine to start with Level One and then go from there.