What is the Australian "Essential 8" Security Standard?

The Australian "Essential Eight" Security Standard, officially known as the "Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents," is a comprehensive framework developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to enhance the cybersecurity posture of Australian government and critical infrastructure organizations. Introduced in 2017, the Essential Eight serves as a practical guide to help organizations protect their systems and data from a wide range of cyber threats and attacks.

The Essential Eight comprises a set of eight essential mitigation strategies that are designed to address the most prevalent and damaging cybersecurity threats faced by organizations. These strategies are:

1. Application Whitelisting: This strategy involves creating a list of approved applications and only allowing those applications to run on systems, thereby preventing the execution of unauthorized or malicious software.

2. Patching Applications: Regularly updating and patching software applications to fix known vulnerabilities is critical in reducing the risk of exploitation by attackers.

3. Patching Operating Systems: Similar to patching applications, this strategy emphasizes keeping the operating systems of all devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates.

4. Configuring Microsoft Office Macro Settings: Microsoft Office macros can be exploited by cybercriminals. Therefore, configuring macro settings to block macros from the internet or untrusted sources is essential.

5. User Application Hardening: This involves configuring web browsers and email client programs to disable unnecessary and potentially risky features, thereby reducing the attack surface.

6. Restricting Administrative Privileges: Limiting administrative privileges to only those users who require them helps prevent unauthorized access and minimize the impact of potential breaches.

7. Patching and Securing Your Web Browsers: Ensuring that web browsers are up to date and configured securely is crucial for protecting against web-based attacks and malicious content.

8. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of verification before gaining access to systems and data.

Organizations are encouraged to implement these strategies in a risk-based manner, tailoring their cybersecurity measures to their specific needs and threat landscape. The Essential Eight is not meant to be a one-size-fits-all approach but rather a flexible framework that organizations can adapt to their unique circumstances.

In summary, the Australian "Essential Eight" Security Standard is a comprehensive cybersecurity framework developed by the ACSC, consisting of eight essential strategies aimed at mitigating cyber threats and enhancing the overall security posture of Australian government and critical infrastructure entities. By implementing these strategies, organizations can significantly reduce their exposure to cyber risks and strengthen their resilience against cyberattacks.

Speak to us today to find out how NQIT can help your business becoming Essential Eight ready.