The Essential Eight: A Guide for Australian Organizations

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) developed the Essential Eight as a baseline set of mitigation strategies to help organizations protect themselves against cyber threats. These strategies are designed to make it harder for adversaries to compromise systems and to limit the extent of security incidents when they occur.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore each of the Essential Eight strategies and provide practical advice on how to implement them in your organization.

What is the Essential Eight?

The Essential Eight consists of eight mitigation strategies that organizations should implement to protect their systems and data from cyber threats. These strategies are:

1. Application Control
2. Patch Applications
3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings
4. User Application Hardening
5. Restrict Administrative Privileges
6. Patch Operating Systems
7. Multi-factor Authentication
8. Regular Backups

1. Application Control

Application control prevents the execution of unauthorized applications, including malicious code. This strategy is one of the most effective ways to prevent malware from running on your systems.

Implementation Tips:

• Use whitelisting tools to allow only approved applications to run
• Implement application control at the operating system level
• Regularly review and update your application whitelist
• Test application control configurations before deploying them in production

2. Patch Applications

Patching applications involves applying updates to fix security vulnerabilities in software applications. This strategy helps prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.

Implementation Tips:

• Develop and implement a patch management strategy
• Prioritize patching for internet-facing applications
• Test patches before deploying them in production
• Automate patch management where possible

3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings

Microsoft Office macros can be used to deliver malware. Configuring macro settings to block macros from the internet and only allow vetted macros can help prevent this attack vector.

Implementation Tips:

• Block macros from the internet
• Only allow macros from trusted locations
• Use Group Policy to enforce macro settings
• Educate users about the risks of enabling macros from untrusted sources

4. User Application Hardening

User application hardening involves configuring web browsers and other applications to block or limit vulnerable features that could be exploited by attackers.

Implementation Tips:

• Block browser plugins like Flash, Java, and Silverlight
• Configure browsers to block ads and disable unnecessary features
• Use Group Policy to enforce browser settings
• Regularly update browsers and plugins

5. Restrict Administrative Privileges

Restricting administrative privileges involves limiting the number of users with administrative access and ensuring that administrative accounts are only used for administrative tasks.

Implementation Tips:

• Implement the principle of least privilege
• Regularly review and validate administrative privileges
• Use separate accounts for administrative and standard tasks
• Implement just-in-time administrative access

6. Patch Operating Systems

Patching operating systems involves applying updates to fix security vulnerabilities in operating systems. This strategy helps prevent attackers from exploiting known vulnerabilities.

Implementation Tips:

• Develop and implement a patch management strategy
• Prioritize patching for internet-facing systems
• Test patches before deploying them in production
• Automate patch management where possible

7. Multi-factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) requires users to provide two or more pieces of evidence (or factors) to verify their identity. This strategy helps prevent unauthorized access even if passwords are compromised.

Implementation Tips:

• Implement MFA for all remote access solutions
• Implement MFA for all users accessing sensitive data or systems
• Use a combination of something you know (password), something you have (token), and something you are (biometric)
• Regularly review and test MFA configurations

8. Regular Backups

Regular backups involve creating and maintaining copies of important data. This strategy helps organizations recover from incidents such as ransomware attacks or data corruption.

Implementation Tips:

• Implement a 3-2-1 backup strategy (3 copies, 2 different media types, 1 offsite)
• Regularly test backup restoration processes
• Ensure backups are protected from unauthorized access
• Automate backup processes where possible

Implementing the Essential Eight in Your Organization

Implementing the Essential Eight requires a strategic approach. Here are some steps to help you get started:

1. Assess your current security posture against the Essential Eight
2. Develop a roadmap for implementing the strategies
3. Prioritize strategies based on your risk assessment
4. Implement the strategies in phases
5. Regularly review and update your implementation

Conclusion

The Essential Eight provides a solid foundation for protecting your organization from cyber threats. By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of security incidents and limit the impact of any incidents that do occur.

At Sky Nexus Australia, we can help you assess your current security posture, develop a roadmap for implementing the Essential Eight, and provide ongoing support to ensure your security controls remain effective.