Building Stronger Defenses: A Practical Guide to Essential 8

Think your business is secure? The gaps you don’t see are exactly what the Essential 8 is designed to close.

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) established the Essential 8 framework in response to escalating assaults on organizations across industries. Frameworks such as the Essential 8 exist to fill specific gaps that make organizations vulnerable. 

They distill best practices into digestible steps, allowing even small and medium-sized businesses to deploy important security measures. However, a framework’s strength is determined by how it is deployed and whether it grows in tandem with the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. 

TL;DR

Advancing through the Essential 8 framework helps organizations move from their current maturity level to optimized security, ensuring a robust layer of security that adapts to evolving threats.

Adopting advanced techniques like AI-driven application control, regular backups, and adaptive MFA creates a proactive mitigation strategy against cybersecurity incidents.

Overcoming budgetary constraints, cultural resistance, and integration complexity enables organizations to implement various solutions aligned with their growth and risk profiles.

Understanding the maturity levels 

Unlike many frameworks that stop at listing what needs to be done, the Essential 8 recognizes that cybersecurity isn’t binary. It introduces a performance-based approach, highlighting how well your defenses are built and maintained.

1. Maturity level 0: No implementation or ineffective implementation of controls. Organizations are highly vulnerable at this level, lacking the foundational cybersecurity measures needed to address even basic threats.
2. Maturity level 1: The starting point, addressing immediate risks with basic implementation. This level minimizes common security vulnerabilities but lacks depth for advanced threats.
3. Maturity level 2: Expands on Level 1 by ensuring controls are consistently applied, reducing gaps that attackers exploit.
4. Maturity level 3: This represents the pinnacle of security readiness, where controls are not only consistent but also fully optimized to detect, prevent, and withstand sophisticated threats.

Lower maturity levels might not be enough… 

Staying at lower maturity levels in the Essential 8 might feel like a safe choice—after all, some protections are better than none, right? You would be right, but the “good enough” approach might be risky, given the evolving nature of cyber threats. The fact is that static defenses at lower maturity levels are no match for the speed and sophistication of modern threats.

Tactics like ransomware and supply chain breaches are designed to exploit precisely the kind of gaps left at lower maturity levels. Delayed patching? Overly permissive access controls? These are exactly the opportunities attackers wait for.

And it’s not just big enterprises that are being targeted anymore. Small to mid-sized organizations in Australia—often perceived as having weaker defenses—now account for 62% of cyber attacks, with many falling victims due to inconsistent implementation of basic controls.

Advanced Techniques for Strengthening Essential 8 Maturity

The Essential 8 is a cybersecurity framework developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help organizations mitigate cyber risks and improve their security posture. It focuses on eight key strategies that address the most common attack vectors and vulnerabilities.

Application control 

Application control ensures that only approved programs or software can execute on your systems, blocking everything by default. This approach minimizes the risk of malicious software running undetected.

For example:

• You may whitelist business-critical applications like Microsoft Office, ERP systems, or licensed security tools, ensuring only these are allowed to execute.
• Conversely, everything from unverified freeware to outdated browser plugins is blocked to prevent unauthorized or harmful software from compromising your system.

Why is it implemented?

Application control protects against unauthorized programs, malware, or ransomware gaining a foothold in your network. It reduces the attack surface by allowing only trusted software to operate, keeping your systems secure.

How do you advance it?

Traditional application control can be rigid and difficult to maintain. To truly elevate your security posture, consider these advanced techniques:

1. AI/ML to whitelist: Leverage AI models to monitor and learn application behaviors dynamically. This reduces the manual effort of updating whitelists and improves accuracy by detecting anomalies that may indicate malicious intent.
2. Context-aware policies: Implement policies that adapt based on user roles, device health, or network context. For instance, the same application might be allowed on a secure corporate laptop but blocked on a personal device.
3. Behavioral analysis: Monitor how whitelisted applications interact with the system. Even if an app is approved, unusual behavior—like attempting to access unauthorized system files—triggers a block.

Patching applications 

Patching applications involves updating your software to fix known vulnerabilities, improve functionality, or enhance security. It’s a fundamental cyber security defense against exploits that target outdated systems.

For example:

• Applying vendor-released updates to widely used applications like web browsers, email clients, or enterprise software.
• Regularly patching critical tools such as CRM systems or financial software to ensure they aren’t entry points for attackers.

Why is it implemented?

Cyber attackers often exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated applications. Patching closes these gaps, reducing the risk of malware, ransomware, or unauthorized access.

How do you advance it?

1. Prioritize patches based on risk: Instead of patching everything at once, focus on vulnerabilities actively exploiting or affecting critical systems. Use vendor security bulletins or vulnerability databases like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) to understand which patches matter most.
2. Automate patch management: Use tools like Microsoft SCCM, WSUS, or third-party solutions like ManageEngine Patch Manager to scan for missing patches and deploy them across your environment.
3. Enable smart scheduling: Avoid disrupting operations by patching schedules during downtime. Deploy critical patches immediately, but for less urgent ones, schedule installations during weekends or after business hours. 

Configure Microsoft Office macro settings 

Configuring Microsoft Office macro settings involves managing how macros—a feature that automates repetitive tasks—are used in applications like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Macros can streamline workflows but are also a common vector for malware, especially through phishing emails containing malicious macro-enabled files.

For example:

• Disabling macros entirely for all users who don’t need them
• Allowing macros only if a trusted publisher digitally signs them
• Using Group Policy to enforce macro restrictions across the organization

Why is it implemented?

Macros are a frequent entry point for cyberattacks. Attackers embed malicious macros in seemingly legitimate documents to execute unauthorized actions, such as downloading malware or stealing data. Configuring macro settings reduces this risk by blocking untrusted or unnecessary macros from running.

How do you advance it?

1. Set macro policies by user role: Not everyone in your organization needs access to macros. Restrict macro functionality to users who require it (e.g., finance teams) while disabling it for others.
2. Enforce digital signature validation: Before they can be enabled, macros must be digitally signed by trusted publishers. This ensures that only vetted macros are allowed to run.
3. Integrate macro scanning with email security: Configure your email security gateway to scan attachments for macros and quarantine suspicious files before they reach users.
4. Combined with conditional access policies: For organizations using Microsoft 365, enforce conditional access policies that restrict macro-enabled documents from opening unless specific conditions are met (e.g., the device is compliant, the user is on the corporate network).

User application hardening 

User application hardening involves configuring commonly used applications—such as web browsers, email clients, and document viewers—to reduce their exposure to cyber threats. It focuses on disabling risky features, applying secure settings, and minimizing vulnerabilities in these applications.

For example:

• Disabling JavaScript in web browsers for untrusted websites to prevent drive-by-download attacks.
• Blocking the automatic download of external content in email clients to avoid exposing sensitive data.
• Configuring PDF viewers to disable features like embedded scripts or hyperlinks.

Why is it implemented?

Users interact with applications daily, which are prime targets for attackers. Hardening these applications limits their attack surface, reducing the chances of exploitation through phishing, malware, or malicious websites.

How do you advance it?

1. Implement browser hardening: Modern web browsers are one of the most targeted entry points for attackers. To harden them:
   1. Enforce secure settings such as disabling third-party cookies, blocking pop-ups, and limiting plugin use.
   2. Use browser extensions that enhance security, like ad blockers or tools that prevent cross-site scripting (XSS).
   3. Configure browsers to only allow access to trusted websites (via URL filtering).
2. Harden email clients: Email remains the most common vector for phishing attacks. To secure email clients:
   1. Disable features like automatic image loading and external content previews.
   2. Require users to verify attachments or links from unknown senders.
   3. Integrate email filtering tools to block suspicious attachments and URLs.
3. Segment application by user role: Restrict access to high-risk features of applications based on user roles. For example, power users in IT might need access to advanced browser developer tools, but standard users do not. 

Restrict administrative privileges 

Restricting administrative privileges involves limiting access to high-level system controls and sensitive configurations to only those who absolutely need them. Admin accounts are powerful—they can install software, modify settings, and access critical data, making them a prime target for attackers.

For example:

• Assign admin privileges only to IT staff responsible for system maintenance and only for the systems they manage.
• Use separate accounts for day-to-day work and administrative tasks.
• Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) to assign permissions based on specific job functions.

Why is it implemented?

Administrative accounts provide attackers with the keys to the kingdom. Limiting these privileges reduces the potential damage if an account is compromised, making it harder for malware to spread or to exploit sensitive systems.

How do you advance it? 

1. Adopt a just-in-time access policy: Grant admin privileges only when needed and revoke them immediately afterward. This minimizes the window of opportunity for misuse or exploitation.
2. Enforce Multi-factor authentication: Strengthen security by requiring MFA for all admin logins. Even if credentials are stolen, the additional authentication layer reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Implement Role-Based Access Control: Assign permissions based on roles, ensuring users only have access to what they need for their specific jobs. Avoid giving blanket admin access.

Patch operating systems

Patching operating systems involves applying vendor-released updates to fix known vulnerabilities, enhance security, and improve performance. Operating systems (OS) are the backbone of your IT infrastructure, and any vulnerabilities in them can expose your entire network to attack.

For example:

• Regularly applying Windows Updates to servers and endpoints to address critical vulnerabilities.
• Updating Linux distributions with security patches released by repositories like Ubuntu or Red Hat.
• Keeping macOS devices up to date with Apple’s latest security releases.

Why is it implemented?

Operating system vulnerabilities are a primary target for cybercriminals. Unpatched systems create entry points for malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access. Patching ensures these security gaps are closed before attackers can exploit them.

How do you advance it? 

1. Set up an automatic patch management system: Use technologies to automate the finding, testing, and deployment of OS fixes throughout your environment. This eliminates the manual workload while also ensuring timely updates.
2. Use a risk-based approach: For organizations with numerous servers or endpoints, apply patches sequentially to save downtime and monitor for problems before deploying them system-wide.
3. Consider live patching for critical systems: For systems where downtime is not an option (e.g., production servers), employ live patching technologies to deploy upgrades without rebooting.

Multi-factor authentication.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) provides extra protection by asking users to prove their identity using several methods.:

• Something you know: A password or PIN.
• Something you have: A device like a smartphone or a hardware token.
• Something you are: Biometric data, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition.

For example:

• Logging into your corporate email requires both your password and a one-time code generated by an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator).
• Accessing sensitive systems demands biometric authentication, such as a fingerprint scan, in addition to your credentials.

We have seen the success of attacks against MFA-protected accounts increasing over the past couple of years – National Cyber Security Center 

Why is it implemented?

Passwords are no longer enough to defend against modern threats such as phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks. MFA considerably minimizes the danger of unauthorized access by requiring an additional element, making it far more difficult for hackers to infiltrate an account.

How do you advance it? 

1. Adopt an adaptive MFA: Move from static MFA to adaptive MFA, which considers login context (such as location, device, and behavior) before giving access. This enables stronger authentication for high-risk circumstances while providing smoother access to trusted environments.
2. Require hardware tokens: Introduce hardware tokens (such as YubiKey or RSA SecurID) for systems where security is critical. Hardware tokens are actual objects, unlike authenticator software, which makes them more challenging to compromise remotely.

Daily backups 

Daily backups involve creating copies of critical data to restore it during data loss, corruption, or a cyberattack. This process protects your organization from disruptions caused by ransomware, accidental deletions, or hardware failures.

For example:

• Scheduling daily backups of all essential databases, such as customer records or financial systems, to a secure offsite server.
• Cloud-based backup solutions like AWS Backup or Microsoft Azure Backup can store redundant copies automatically.

Why is it implemented?

Data loss is one of the most damaging outcomes of cyber incidents. Backups ensure that you can quickly recover and maintain business continuity even if primary systems are compromised. Backups also minimize downtime and protect against ransomware, where attackers may attempt to encrypt or delete your data.

How do you advance it? 

1. Implement immutable backups: Use storage solutions that create backups that cannot be altered or deleted, even by admin accounts. This ensures data integrity even if attackers gain access to your systems. 
2. Use air-gapped storage: Maintain backups on systems disconnected from the network (air-gapped), ensuring they remain safe from network-based threats like ransomware.

Implementing advanced techniques across the Essential 8 framework is undoubtedly a game-changer for your organization’s cybersecurity posture. However, advancing maturity levels isn’t without its hurdles. 

Challenges in achieving advanced maturity 

Whether it’s the financial investment required, resistance to change within teams, or the complexity of integrating new technologies with legacy systems, achieving advanced maturity comes with challenges that can’t be ignored.

Budgetary constraints 

Budgets in cybersecurity are rarely limitless, and organizations often struggle with justifying advanced investments to stakeholders who might not fully grasp the return on investment (ROI) of preventive measures.

To avoid this, conduct a risk-to-cost analysis for each advanced technique. For example, investing in adaptive MFA may cost more upfront but significantly reduces the likelihood of high-cost phishing attacks targeting privileged accounts. 

Look for opportunities to consolidate tools. Many organizations suffer from tool sprawl, where overlapping solutions eat into budgets without delivering proportional value. Instead, prioritize platforms that offer multi-functional capabilities or integrate well with existing systems. 

Cultural resistance 

Cybersecurity efforts frequently clash with employee convenience, leading to pushback that can stall progress. This resistance isn’t always overt—it’s quiet workarounds, ignored guidelines, or reluctance to adopt new tools that undermine security initiatives.

Engage employees in co-creation rather than enforcement. For instance, department leaders should be involved in pilot programs when implementing adaptive MFA. Solicit feedback about user experience, address pain points, and show how the tool minimizes disruptions while increasing protection. This builds trust and turns key department champions into advocates for change.

Integration complexity 

The more advanced your cybersecurity strategy becomes, the more moving parts you introduce—and with them, the risk of disjointed systems, inefficiencies, and operational friction. 

A major issue arises when tools operate in silos, creating fragmented data and redundant workflows. For example, a standalone patching tool may not communicate with your asset management system, leaving you unaware of unpatched vulnerabilities. To avoid this, focus on solutions designed for interoperability.

Integration also requires planning beyond the technical layer. Think about human workflows: Does the new tool require additional training? Will it increase the burden on already-stretched IT teams? Phased rollouts can help ease transitions, allowing teams to adapt while ensuring smooth operations. 

Essential 8 maturity should mirror your organization’s growth, responding to operational changes, regulatory demands, and emerging risks.

Wrapping up 

Start with what matters, scale with intent, and remember that maturity isn’t the finish line—it’s your competitive edge in a world where security is everything. The choice isn’t whether to act—it’s whether you’ll be ready.

FAQs

What is the Essential 8 Maturity Model, and why is it important for Australian businesses?

The Essential 8 Maturity Model, developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), provides a structured approach for implementing effective cybersecurity measures. It outlines target maturity levels to help Australian businesses enhance their defenses against cyber threats and stay resilient in an increasingly hostile digital environment.

How do target maturity levels in the Essential 8 protect internet-facing networks?

Target maturity levels are designed to address vulnerabilities systematically, focusing on securing critical areas like internet-facing networks. For example, maturity levels emphasize applying patches promptly, restricting privileged access, and implementing strong multi-factor authentication to mitigate risks from malicious code and unauthorized access attempts.

What role does cyber threat intelligence play in achieving Essential 8 maturity?

Cyber threat intelligence is crucial for Australian businesses aiming to achieve higher target maturity levels. It provides insights into emerging threats, helping organizations prioritize cybersecurity measures such as patching vulnerabilities and strengthening defenses against malicious code. This proactive approach ensures businesses stay ahead of evolving threats.

How does the Essential 8 Maturity Model address privileged access management?

Essential 8 emphasizes restricting and managing privileged access to limit the damage potential of cyberattacks. By aligning privileged access policies with target maturity levels, businesses can reduce the likelihood of attackers exploiting high-level accounts, particularly in environments like internet-facing networks, which are prime targets for malicious actors.