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Have you heard of the Essential Eight?
Have you heard of the Essential Eight?
The Essential 8 seems to be a contentious subject in the IT and Cyber communities, whether you agree or disagree it's appropriate, it's a valid list only for SMB vs Enterprise every business needs a base understanding.
The digital world can feel a bit like the Wild West these days, with Australian businesses and government departments facing a constant barrage of cybercrime. It's not just a few isolated incidents anymore; attacks are getting faster, more frequent, and a whole lot smarter. As the threats keep evolving, it's never been more important to be prepared.
That's where the Essential Eight comes in.
That's where the Essential Eight comes in.
What is the Essential 8?
What is the Essential 8?
The Essential Eight maturity model (as defined by Cyber.gov.au.) is a set of eight cybersecurity strategies recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to protect organisations from cyber threats. While designed for larger organisations, many of these strategies are highly relevant to small businesses.
Developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) in 2017, the Essential Eight is a powerful framework designed to help organisations like yours build a solid defense. It’s not about complex, high-level theory, but about eight practical, foundational controls that are incredibly effective at stopping the most common and damaging cyber attacks.
By implementing these controls, you're not just reacting to threats—you're proactively strengthening your business's cyber resilience, creating a structured defense that keeps you, your staff, and your client's data safe:
- Patch Applications and Operating Systems:
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date with the latest security patches to address vulnerabilities.
- Apply Security Updates:
Regularly update software and systems to protect against known vulnerabilities.
- Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings:
Restrict the use of macros in Office documents to minimise the risk of malicious code execution.
- User Application Hardening:
Configure user accounts and applications to limit potential damage in case of compromise.
- Restrict Administrative Privileges:
Limit the number of users with administrative privileges to reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
- Multi-Factor Authentication:
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical systems and accounts to add an extra layer of security.
- Regular Backups:
Regularly back up important data and test the restoration process to ensure data recovery in case of a cyberattack.
- Application Whitelisting:
Restrict the execution of unauthorised applications to prevent malicious software from running on systems.
While small businesses may not need to implement all eight strategies to the same extent as larger organisations, adopting these principles can significantly improve their cybersecurity posture.
By prioritising these essential measures, small businesses can protect their sensitive data, maintain business continuity, and mitigate the potential financial and reputational damage caused by cyberattacks.
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