ACSC Essential Eight

🔐 Introduction to the Essential Eight

The Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organizations reduce their exposure to cyber threats. Rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution, it provides a prioritized set of mitigation strategies tailored to address the most common and impactful attack techniques.

Originally designed for government and critical infrastructure, the Essential Eight has become a widely adopted baseline for cyber resilience across both public and private sectors.

🎯 Why Use the Essential Eight?

Cyber threats are constantly evolving. The Essential Eight is designed to defend against the most common attack vectors, including:

• Ransomware
• Data breaches
• Privilege escalation
• Exploitation of unpatched vulnerabilities

By implementing these eight controls, organizations can significantly increase their security maturity, making it harder for adversaries to gain a foothold or escalate their access.

📋 The Eight Mitigation Strategies

✅ Application Control
Blocks execution of unauthorized apps, scripts, malware, LOLBins.

🔧 Patch Applications
Fixes known vulnerabilities in software (e.g., browsers, Flash, Java).

📄 Configure Microsoft Office Macros
Block/limit macro execution unless digitally signed or from trusted locations.

🌐 User Application Hardening
Disable unnecessary features like Flash, Java, ads, in browsers & PDF viewers.

👮 Restrict Administrative Privileges
Limit admin access to what’s necessary — no “admin by default.”

💻 Patch Operating Systems
Fix vulnerabilities in Windows, Linux, macOS, etc.

🔐 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Protect logins with more than just passwords.

💾 Regular Backups
Back up data regularly and test recovery.

🧱 Maturity Levels

Each strategy is rated on a Maturity Level (0–3):

• Level 0: Not implemented
• Level 1: Partially implemented; basic threat protection
• Level 2: Improved resilience against more advanced threats
• Level 3: Strongest level; designed for highly targeted environments

📌 Final Note

The Essential Eight isn’t just a checklist — it’s a strategic roadmap for building a layered defence against cyber attacks. Organizations are encouraged to start with the most relevant controls, assess their current maturity, and progressively improve over time.