Facts
Why was the Essential 8 created?
The Essential 8 cybersecurity framework was developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), which is the Australian government’s leading agency for cybersecurity and foreign signals intelligence. The ASD developed the Essential 8 in response to the growing threat of cyber-attacks targeting Australian businesses and government agencies.
The goal of the Essential 8 framework was to provide a set of best practices that organisations could use to improve their cybersecurity posture and reduce their risk of cyber-attacks. The ASD recognized that many organisations were struggling to keep up with the rapidly evolving cybersecurity threat landscape, and that a standardised framework could help to provide guidance and support.
The Essential 8 was also designed to be practical and easy to implement, with a focus on the most important and effective strategies for protecting against cyber threats. By providing a clear and straightforward set of guidelines, the ASD hoped to encourage more organisations to take cybersecurity seriously and to prioritize it as an essential aspect of their business operations.
Do I need the Essential 8?
The Essential 8 cybersecurity framework is relevant to any organization that uses information and communication technology (ICT) systems to conduct its operations, regardless of its size or industry. This includes government agencies, private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and any other entity that relies on digital systems and data.
In particular, organisations that are considered high-risk or that handle sensitive information may have a greater need for the Essential 8 framework. This might include organisations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, and defences, as well as government agencies that deal with sensitive information or infrastructure.
However, it’s important to note that every organisation is potentially vulnerable to cyber threats, regardless of its size or industry. Cybercriminals are opportunistic and will target any organization that they believe to be vulnerable or valuable. As such, the Essential 8 is a relevant and useful framework for any organization that wants to improve its cybersecurity posture and protect itself against cyber threats.
Velvet Systems provide the following services to help organisations achieve Essential 8 compliance.
Essentials 8 audit
Essential 8 audit is an assessment of an organisation’s implementation of the Essential 8 cybersecurity framework. The purpose of the audit is to evaluate whether the organisation has implemented any of the Essential 8 strategies effectively and to identify any gaps or weaknesses in its cybersecurity posture.
An Essential 8 audit can be a valuable tool for organizations that want to assess their cybersecurity readiness and identify areas for improvement. By identifying weaknesses in their cybersecurity controls, organisations can take steps to address these issues and reduce their risk of cyber-attacks.
Essentials 8 Implementation
If you are already using the cloud and would like to discuss managed services for the cloud, we can help with that.
- Assess your current cybersecurity posture: Conduct an assessment of your organisation’s current cybersecurity posture to identify any gaps or weaknesses. This will help you to understand which Essential 8 strategies are most relevant to your organization.
- Develop a plan: Develop a plan for implementing the Essential 8 strategies. This should include prioritising the strategies based on their relevance to your organisation and allocating resources and timelines for implementation.
- Implement the Essential 8 strategies: Implement the Essential 8 strategies in accordance with your plan. This may involve implementing new technologies, updating policies and procedures, and providing training and awareness to employees.
Essentials 8 Maintenance
Maintaining Essential 8 compliance requires ongoing effort and a commitment to cybersecurity best practices.
- Monitor and evaluate: Regularly monitor and evaluate your organisation’s cybersecurity posture to ensure that the Essential 8 strategies are being implemented effectively and to identify any new risks or vulnerabilities.
- Continuously improve: Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, so it’s important to continuously improve your organisation’s cybersecurity posture. This may involve updating policies and procedures, implementing new technologies, or providing additional training and awareness to employees.
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