Essential Eight Compliance
Our team helps businesses implement, improve, and maintain compliance with the Essential 8. Whether you’re aiming for higher maturity levels, preparing for an audit, or simply strengthening your defences, we provide tailored support to keep your business secure.
What Is the Essential Eight?
The Essential Eight (a.k.a E8 or Essential 8) is a baseline set of cyber security strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
It focuses on eight key areas to help businesses significantly reduce their risk of cyber incidents.
E8 Focus Areas
Application Whitelisting
Ensures only trusted and approved applications can run on your systems, blocking unknown or malicious software that could introduce security risks or compromise data integrity.
Patch applications
Applies security updates to all software and applications quickly after release to fix known vulnerabilities and reduce the risk of exploitation by attackers.
Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings
Blocks or restricts macros, especially those from the internet, to prevent malicious code execution through infected Office documents.
User Application Hardening
Disables or removes risky features like Flash, Java, and ads in browsers and applications to reduce exposure to common exploit methods.
Restrict Administrative Privileges
Limits admin access to only necessary users, separating admin and standard accounts to prevent privilege misuse and attacker escalation.
Patch Operating Systems
Keeps all operating systems updated with current security patches to close vulnerabilities and protect against exploits targeting unpatched systems.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Requires at least two verification methods (e.g. password and code) to confirm identity and prevent unauthorised access to accounts and systems.
Regular Backups
Performs frequent, secure backups of critical data, systems, and configurations, ensuring recoverability after cyber incidents, data loss, or ransomware attacks.
Why Essential 8 Compliance Matters
Government and Defence Requirements
Many Canberra contracts require Essential Eight alignment
Improved Protection
Reduce the likelihood and impact of cyber attacks.
Stronger Reputation
Demonstrate your commitment to security with clients and partners.
Operational Resilience
Minimise downtime and disruption caused by security incidents.
Our Essential Eight Compliance Services
Our Canberra-based cyber security experts provide end-to-end support to help your business achieve and maintain E8 compliance.
Whether you’re a new customer working toward compliance for the first time, or an existing client looking to strengthen your maturity level, we tailor each project to your business size, industry, and goals.
We can assist with:
- Assessments and gap analysis
- Remediation planning and implementation of required controls
- Deployment of tools and policies for each Essential 8 area
- Ongoing monitoring, reporting, and improvement
- Assistance with government audits and certifications
- Staff cyber training to support compliance efforts
Start Your
Essential Eight Compliance Journey
Don’t wait until compliance becomes urgent or a contract requirement.
Our Essential Eight services help you stay ahead of threats, meet obligations, and protect your business.
Fill out the contact form and one of our E8 specialists will be in touch.