Australian Cyber Security Centre Essential 8

ACSC Essential 8  Mitigation Strategies

Across Australia, state and territory governments are embedding the Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Essential Eight into their protective security and cyber frameworks. For agencies and their suppliers, aligning with these requirements is not just about compliance; it’s about building resilience, trust, and continuity.

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Why Essential 8?

While organisations differ in operations and risk profiles, implementing the ACSC's Essential 8 (E8) mitigation strategies serves as a crucial baseline. These strategies make it tougher for adversaries to compromise systems. The ACSC has found that effectively implementing the Essential 8 strategies can mitigate up to 85% of cyber threats. Proactive implementation is more cost-effective than reacting to cyber incidents.

Essential Eight & State Government Cyber Security Requirements

Deadline: Annual cyber security attestation to Cyber Security NSW is due 31 October each year.
The NSW Cyber Security Policy (CSP) sets mandatory requirements for all NSW Government agencies, with the Essential Eight mandated at Maturity Level 1.
Key requirements include:
  • Cyber Security Governance – Clear roles and responsibilities.
  • Risk Management – Identify and mitigate cyber risks.
  • Resilience & Incident Response – Rapid detection and recovery.
  • Culture & Awareness – Embedding cyber awareness across staff.
  • Annual Reporting – Assurance assessments and attestation to Cyber Security NSW.
Risk Associates supports NSW agencies and suppliers by bridging Essential Eight maturity with ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF, PSPF and the ASD ISM, delivering structured certification and assurance pathways.
Deadline: Annual reporting required, with ongoing monitoring for compliance.
The Information Security Policy (IS18) requires agencies to implement ISMS aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, a risk-based approach, and Essential Eight strategies tailored to maturity targets.
Risk Associates provides gap analysis, certification pathways, and independent assurance, enabling agencies to demonstrate compliance and resilience under IS18.
Requirement: Annual attestation required, supported by Protective Data Security Plans (PDSPs)
The Victorian Protective Data Security Framework (VPDSF) mandates risk-based data security governance and the Victorian Protective Data Security Standards (VPDSS).
Risk Associates assists VPS organisations with:
  • Risk Profile Assessments
  • Protective Data Security Plans (PDSPs)
  • Mapping Essential Eight and ISO/IEC 27001 controls into VPDSF reporting requirements.
Requirement: Annual assurance reporting required.
The South Australian Cyber Security Framework (SACSF) requires agencies to attest annually on maturity and alignment, including reporting against the Essential Eight Maturity Model.
The ACT Cyber Security Framework integrates PSPF, Essential Eight and critical infrastructure obligations under the SOCI Act.
Risk Associates helps ACT entities implement maturity-based Essential Eight controls and benchmark against equivalent frameworks such as NIST CSF and ASD ISM.
Requirement: Annual attestation required in May/June each year
The South Australian Cyber Security Framework (SACSF) requires agencies to attest annually on maturity and alignment, including reporting against the Essential Eight Maturity Model.
Risk Associates supports agencies with attestation readiness, assurance audits, and benchmarking against national and international standards.
Requirement: Annual reporting required.
The WA Cyber Security Policy (2024) mandates Essential Eight at Maturity Level 1, integrated with NIST-CSF, ASD ISM, and the “Further Five” mitigation strategies.
Risk Associates enables agencies to align assessments with state policy, Essential Eight, and enterprise risk frameworks, ensuring a consistent and auditable approach.

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ACSC's Essential 8 Controls

The Essential Eight strategies aim to enhance cybersecurity by mitigating malware delivery, limiting incident impact, and ensuring efficient recovery. The mitigation strategies that constitute the Essential Eight are:
Control 01

Patch Applications

Regularly update software to protect against known vulnerabilities and cyber threats.
Control 02

Patch Operating
Systems

Manage the use of applications to prevent unauthorised or malicious software from running.
Control 03

Multi-factor
Authentication

Add an extra layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity with two or more factors.
Control 04

Restrict Admin
Privileges

Limit administrative access to reduce the impact of potential security breaches.
Control 05

Application Control

Manage the use of applications to prevent unauthorized or malicious software from running.
Control 06

Restrict Microsoft Office Macros

Configure Microsoft Office to block macros from the internet and only allow trusted macros to run.
Control 07

User Application
Hardening

Secure applications by disabling unnecessary features that could be exploited by attackers.
Control 08

Regular
Backups

Backup critical data regularly to ensure it can be restored in the event of data loss or a cyberattack.
Essential 8

Maturity Level

Organisations implementing the Essential 8 should begin by defining a target maturity level suitable for their environment.

These levels range from Maturity Level Zero to Maturity Level Three, each addressing progressively higher levels of trade craft (tools, tactics, techniques, and procedures) and targeting. Malicious actors may vary in their tradecraft depending on the operation and target, underscoring the need for flexible security measures.
Maturity Level Zero
It indicates weaknesses in an organisation's cybersecurity posture, which, if exploited, could compromise data confidentiality, integrity, or availability.
Maturity Level One
It involves malicious actors using readily available tradecraft to gain system access and control.
Maturity Level Two
It involves malicious actors with slightly higher capabilities, willing to invest more time and effort into their tools.
Maturity Level Three
It involves adaptive malicious actors who rely less on public tools, exploiting weaknesses in the target’s postures.
ACSC E8 Process

Essential 8 Maturity Assessment Approach

Risk Associates offers a thorough Essential 8 maturity assessment, helping organisations evaluate their alignment with these critical cybersecurity controls. Our process includes the following steps:

The Essential Eight is a set of baseline cyber security strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). When effectively implemented, these controls can mitigate up to 85% of common cyber threats, making them critical for both government agencies and private organisations.

Compare the current state with the desired maturity level to determine areas needing improvement.

Develop a customised plan to address identified gaps and enhance cybersecurity measures.

Assist in implementing the plan, ensuring effective deployment of security measures.

Continuously monitor the implemented measures and conduct regular reviews to ensure alignment with the Essential Eight framework.

Provide detailed reports on the assessment findings, mitigation strategies, and progress tracking.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Essential Eight is a set of baseline cyber security strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). When effectively implemented, these controls can mitigate up to 85% of common cyber threats, making them critical for both government agencies and private organisations.

Yes. Most Australian states and territories have mandated Essential Eight adoption through their cyber security policies, with annual reporting and attestation deadlines. Risk Associates helps agencies and suppliers prepare for these obligations with impartial assessments and certification pathways.

The model defines four maturity levels (0–3) that measure how effectively controls are applied. Level 0 indicates high vulnerability, while Level 3 represents resilience against advanced adversaries. Risk Associates helps organisations define a target maturity level and build a roadmap to achieve it.

We provide independent Essential Eight maturity assessments, gap analysis, and certification pathways. Our Tier 1 Security Cleared assessors ensure controls are not only compliant but also strengthen long-term resilience and continuity.

Unlike consulting firms, Risk Associates is a certification body — meaning our assessments are independent, credible, and aligned to global standards. We are also listed on the Australian BuyICT and Buy NSW, enabling government agencies and suppliers to access our services with confidence.

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