Welcome to another Cyber CEO video series, where we break down key cyber security frameworks to help Australian businesses stay secure. Here, we dive into the ACSC Essential 8—a practical, eight-step guide developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This framework is designed to protect your organisation from cyber threats and ensure that your business remains resilient in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you’re familiar with the Essential 8 or just hearing about it for the first time, this guide will provide you with valuable insights on how to implement it effectively.
Understanding the ACSC Essential 8 Framework
When it comes to cyber security in Australia, one of the key frameworks businesses should be aware of is the ACSC Essential 8. But first, let’s clarify what the ACSC is.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), established in 2014, operates under the Australian Signals Directorate, which is part of the Defence Department. The ACSC is responsible for monitoring cyber threats around the clock. It collaborates with around 200 businesses, government bodies, academic institutions, and law enforcement agencies to offer advice and security measures related to cyber technology and Australian businesses. For small and medium businesses seeking reliable information on cyber security, it is a valuable resource.
What are the Essential 8?
In 2017, the ACSC introduced the Essential 8 Security Control framework, a set of guidelines designed to help organisations bolster their cyber defences. The framework was updated in 2019 and again in 2021 to keep pace with evolving threats. The Essential 8 is an eight-step framework aimed at preventing cyber attacks. It focuses heavily on application control, limiting the extent of breaches by restricting administrative privileges on individual computers, and ensuring that backups are in place if all else fails.
This framework is a smart, solid system that any Australian business should consider implementing. It’s advisable to consult with your IT team or a cyber security partner to get the Essential 8 up and running efficiently.
Cloud Security Considerations
For those who believe that moving to the cloud solves all security issues, it’s important to think again. In the past, having a server in your office provided not just access to files but also a degree of security. By moving to the cloud, while you’ve shifted your applications and data, you might have left behind some essential security measures.
With the Essential 8 framework, you need to ensure that your cyber security is also delivered via the cloud, just like your files, emails, accounting systems, and other applications. It’s important to revisit the ACSC website and consult with your IT team or a cyber security expert like us to ensure your business is properly protected. Contact us below!
The ACSC Essential 8 Strategies
Application Controlis the process that ensures only approved applications can run on a computer or in a trusted location or network.
2. Patching Applications involves regular software updates to ensure that any known application vulnerabilities are resolved.
3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Setting helps minimise cyber attack risks by preventing malicious macros, often delivered through infected Office documents from emails, downloads, or file transfers.
4. User Application Hardening minimises malware risks by updating and configuring commonly used applications like Flash, Java, Microsoft Office, web browsers, and PDF viewers.
5. Restrict Administration Privileges is limiting users’ ability to install programs, run macros, and change settings, preventing malicious code installation.
6. Patch Operating Systems is needed, like updating programs, to fix vulnerabilities and protect the business from malware entering the network.
7. Multi-factor Authentication adds security layers to user logins, making it harder for hackers to access the user’s dashboards and reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
8. Daily Backup offers peace of mind by ensuring protection if systems are hacked or fail, even though strong security measures reduce the likelihood of needing it.
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Cyber CEO – ACSC Essential 8
Welcome to another Cyber CEO video series, where we break down key cyber security frameworks to help Australian businesses stay secure. Here, we dive into the ACSC Essential 8—a practical, eight-step guide developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre. This framework is designed to protect your organisation from cyber threats and ensure that your business remains resilient in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Whether you’re familiar with the Essential 8 or just hearing about it for the first time, this guide will provide you with valuable insights on how to implement it effectively.
Understanding the ACSC Essential 8 Framework
When it comes to cyber security in Australia, one of the key frameworks businesses should be aware of is the ACSC Essential 8. But first, let’s clarify what the ACSC is.
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), established in 2014, operates under the Australian Signals Directorate, which is part of the Defence Department. The ACSC is responsible for monitoring cyber threats around the clock. It collaborates with around 200 businesses, government bodies, academic institutions, and law enforcement agencies to offer advice and security measures related to cyber technology and Australian businesses. For small and medium businesses seeking reliable information on cyber security, it is a valuable resource.
What are the Essential 8?
In 2017, the ACSC introduced the Essential 8 Security Control framework, a set of guidelines designed to help organisations bolster their cyber defences. The framework was updated in 2019 and again in 2021 to keep pace with evolving threats. The Essential 8 is an eight-step framework aimed at preventing cyber attacks. It focuses heavily on application control, limiting the extent of breaches by restricting administrative privileges on individual computers, and ensuring that backups are in place if all else fails.
This framework is a smart, solid system that any Australian business should consider implementing. It’s advisable to consult with your IT team or a cyber security partner to get the Essential 8 up and running efficiently.
Cloud Security Considerations
For those who believe that moving to the cloud solves all security issues, it’s important to think again. In the past, having a server in your office provided not just access to files but also a degree of security. By moving to the cloud, while you’ve shifted your applications and data, you might have left behind some essential security measures.
With the Essential 8 framework, you need to ensure that your cyber security is also delivered via the cloud, just like your files, emails, accounting systems, and other applications. It’s important to revisit the ACSC website and consult with your IT team or a cyber security expert like us to ensure your business is properly protected. Contact us below!
The ACSC Essential 8 Strategies
Application Control is the process that ensures only approved applications can run on a computer or in a trusted location or network.
2. Patching Applications involves regular software updates to ensure that any known application vulnerabilities are resolved.
3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Setting helps minimise cyber attack risks by preventing malicious macros, often delivered through infected Office documents from emails, downloads, or file transfers.
4. User Application Hardening minimises malware risks by updating and configuring commonly used applications like Flash, Java, Microsoft Office, web browsers, and PDF viewers.
5. Restrict Administration Privileges is limiting users’ ability to install programs, run macros, and change settings, preventing malicious code installation.
6. Patch Operating Systems is needed, like updating programs, to fix vulnerabilities and protect the business from malware entering the network.
7. Multi-factor Authentication adds security layers to user logins, making it harder for hackers to access the user’s dashboards and reducing the risk of cyber attacks.
8. Daily Backup offers peace of mind by ensuring protection if systems are hacked or fail, even though strong security measures reduce the likelihood of needing it.
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