ACSC Cyber Security Framework

Essential Eight Compliance for Australian Businesses

The Australian Cyber Security Centre's Essential Eight is the baseline standard for protecting your organisation from cyber threats. Adroit Support assesses, implements, and maintains your compliance across all maturity levels.

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What is the Essential Eight?

Australia's baseline cyber security standard

The Essential Eight is a set of prioritised mitigation strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organisations protect themselves against the most common and damaging cyber threats, including ransomware, phishing, and malware.

While originally developed for the Australian Government, the Essential Eight has become the de facto cyber security standard for Australian businesses of all sizes and is increasingly referenced in contracts, insurance policies, and regulatory requirements.

Adroit Support can assess your current maturity level, develop a prioritised remediation roadmap, and implement each strategy across your environment, giving you a documented, defensible security posture.

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4 Levels
Maturity levels from 0 (basic) to 3 (advanced)
8️⃣
8 Strategies
Targeted mitigations addressing the most common threats
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ACSC
Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre
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All Business Sizes
Applicable from small business to enterprise
The 8 Strategies

The Essential Eight mitigation strategies

Each strategy targets a specific attack vector. Together they form a robust baseline that significantly reduces your exposure to cyber threats.

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1. Application Control

Prevent unauthorised applications from executing on your systems. Reduces malware execution risk by ensuring only approved software can run.

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2. Patch Applications

Keep browsers, Microsoft Office, PDF readers, and other applications current. Unpatched applications are among the most exploited attack vectors.

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3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings

Block macros from the internet to reduce ransomware pathways. A critical control for businesses relying on Microsoft Office applications.

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4. User Application Hardening

Configure browsers and email clients to block high-risk content, disabling Java, Flash, and other vulnerable plugins that attackers commonly exploit.

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5. Restrict Administrative Privileges

Apply least-privilege principles so users only have the access they need. This limits the impact if an account is compromised.

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6. Patch Operating Systems

Maintain timely OS updates across all devices. Operating system vulnerabilities are actively exploited within days of disclosure.

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7. Multi-Factor Authentication

Require MFA for all key services, remote access, and privileged accounts. One of the single most effective controls against account takeover.

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8. Regular Backups

Maintain secure, tested backups of all critical data so you can recover quickly from ransomware or any other disaster without paying a ransom.

Maturity Levels

Four maturity levels: where do you sit?

The Essential Eight is measured across four maturity levels. Adroit Support will assess your current position and help you progress to the level that's right for your business.

Level 0

Inconsistent or missing controls. No baseline security posture in place. Most common in businesses without a dedicated IT function.

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Level 1

Basic controls partially implemented. Provides protection against opportunistic attackers using commodity techniques.

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Level 2

Controls broadly implemented. Protects against targeted attackers using more advanced tradecraft and tools.

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Level 3

Highest maturity. Protects against sophisticated, targeted attackers. Recommended for high-value organisations and government.

How Adroit Support Helps

Your Essential Eight compliance partner

From initial assessment to ongoing maintenance, Adroit Support guides your organisation through every stage of Essential Eight compliance.

1

Assessment & Gap Analysis

We assess your current maturity level across all eight strategies and identify gaps using the ACSC's official assessment methodology.

2

Prioritised Roadmap

We create a risk-prioritised remediation roadmap that balances security uplift with business impact and budget constraints.

3

Implementation & Reporting

We implement controls with full change management, then provide post-uplift validation and optional ongoing compliance reporting.