As the threat of cyber-attacks grows, numerous cyber security frameworks have been developed to protect businesses. One such framework, developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), is the Essential 8 – a set of strategies designed to prevent, limit, and recover from cyber-attacks.
But what exactly are the Essential 8? And how can you ensure that your business’ overall cyber security strategy aligns with this framework?
What is the ACSC Essential 8?
The ACSC is a section of the Australian government that focuses on cyber defense. They developed the Essential 8 in 2017, as a way of helping businesses prevent cyber-attacks and protect sensitive data. These strategies are designed to be practical, cost-effective, and applicable to a wide range of organisations, in the hopes that as many businesses as possible will adopt them.
The Essential 8 Strategies
The strategies suggested by the Essential 8 are as follows:
- Application Control: Block everything except approved applications on your network. This helps you protect against malware and ransomware, which often rely on running an application.
- Patch Applications: Regularly update and patch software, to address vulnerabilities that malicious actors are likely to exploit.
- Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings: Macros are often used by cybercriminals to deliver malware. Disabling or securely configuring them will reduce the risk of this occurring.
- User Application Hardening: Configure applications to reduce their attack surface. For example, disable features that are not being used.
- Restrict Administrative Privileges: Administrative accounts have higher levels of access and are often targeted. Restrict administrative privileges to only those who need them.
- Patch Operating Systems: Just like applications, operating systems must be patched regularly to address vulnerabilities.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA requires multiple methods of verification before granting access, lowering the risk of unauthorised access.
- Regular Backups: Backup data regularly, to ensure it can be quickly recovered in the event of a cyber-attack.
Aligning Your Cyber Security Strategy with the Essential 8
When implementing the Essential 8, your goal should not be to simply check items off a list. Instead, you should aim to create a cyber security strategy that integrates smoothly into your business’ overall risk management plan. You can achieve this using the following steps:
- Assess Your Current Security Posture: Start by evaluating your business’ current cyber security practices and identifying gaps. Conduct a thorough risk assessment to understand the threats your company faces.
- Prioritize Based on Risk: Prioritise implementation of the Essential 8 strategies based on risk. For example, if your business handles sensitive customer data, strategies that improve data protection will be high priority.
- Implement in Stages: The ACSC provides a maturity model that allows businesses to implement the Essential 8 progressively, from basic to more advanced levels. Start at a lower level and work your way up.
- Engage and Educate Staff: Employees play a crucial role in cyber security. Ensure that they are aware of the importance of Essential 8 strategies, and provide regular cyber security training.
- Monitor and Review Regularly: Cyber threats are constantly changing, and your cyber security strategy needs to evolve with them. Regularly review your current security measures, monitor for new threats, and adjust accordingly.
- Leverage Cybersecurity Tools and Expertise: Take advantage of cyber security solutions that can automate and streamline implementation of Essential 8 strategies. Engage with experts, if needed, to ensure that you have not missed anything.
Protect Your Business from Cyber Threats
With the sheer amount of cyber security strategies and solutions needed to protect your business, it can be difficult to understand where you should start. Aligning your cyber security strategy with a framework such as the Essential 8 creates a solid foundation that reduces your risk of cyber-attacks, limits their impact when they do occur, and provides you with the means to develop an even stronger defence in the future.
The experts at Pronet specialise in working with the Essential 8 framework, as well as a variety of other cyber security services. We can assess your current Maturity Level, and help you develop a plan to seamlessly implement Essential 8 security techniques into your business’ overall security strategy. Discover how our cyber security services can help today.
