Cyber Security risk assessment

Essential Eight Cybersecurity Framework

Cybersecurity is important for organisations of all sizes. Many businesses face evolving cyber threats, cyber attacks, and cyber incidents that can compromise systems, sensitive information, and critical infrastructure if the right security controls are not in place. That’s why businesses need a proven strategy to mitigate risks, and that's also where the Essential Eight comes in.

What is the Essential 8?

The Essential 8 is a set of eight mitigation strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) to help businesses protect against cyber threats. Unlike flexible tiered models, Essential 8 provides a clear baseline of technical controls designed to prevent, detect, and respond to attacks.

Australian businesses aiming to reduce data breaches, unauthorised access widely adopt the Essential 8 cybersecurity strategies, and security breach risks across critical systems.

How The Essential 8 Cybersecurity Strategies Help Australian Businesses

The Essential 8 focuses on eight core strategies that strengthen your security posture. Together, these help businesses mitigate cybersecurity incidents, improve cybersecurity maturity, and reduce the likelihood of cybersecurity incidents.

Application control makes sure that only approved applications run, which helps prevent incidents like malware and unauthorised access.

Key Controls: Whitelisting, restricting macros, and blocking unapproved software.
Patch application processes are essential for protecting applications, web browsers, and other software that are typically targeted in cyber attacks.

Key Controls: Regular patching, automated updates, vulnerability management.
Strong Microsoft Office macro settings and controls reduce macro-related risks through Microsoft Office applications.

Key Controls: Disable macros by default, allow only trusted macros.
User application hardening reduces exposure across web browsers and applications that attackers typically exploit.

Key Controls: Disable Flash, ads, and unnecessary plugins.
Restrict administrative privileges to protect critical systems from any misuse or compromise.

Key Controls: Role-based access, just-in-time admin privileges.
Patching operating systems’ processes is important to ensure smooth business operations or routine tasks.

Key Controls: Apply security patches promptly, maintain supported versions.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is one of the most effective mitigation strategies for strengthening identity security.

Key Controls: MFA for remote access, privileged accounts, and critical apps.
Daily or regular backups support reliable data recovery following cyber incidents, ransomware events, or data breaches.

Key Controls: Automated backups, offline storage, regular restore testing.

Comparing the Essential 8 vs the SMB1001 Certification

Feature	Essential 8	SMB1001:2026
Target Audience	Government and large organisations	Small and medium businesses
Structure	Eight mitigation strategies	Five-tier progressive certification
Flexibility	Fixed baseline, limited scalability	Start at any level, scale over time
Certification	No formal certification	Recognised, certifiable pathway
Update Cycle	Infrequent updates	Annual updates
Domains Covered	Primarily technical controls	People, Process, Technology
Cost & Complexity	Often resource-heavy for SMBs	Affordable and achievable for SMBs

You may be wondering, how does the Essential 8 compare to other frameworks like SMB1001? Essential 8 focuses mainly on technical controls, while SMB1001:2026 supports organisational changes across people, process, and technology.

Qbit IT Solutions brings extensive experience in guiding businesses across diverse industries to achieve the right the level of cyber protection

Ready to strengthen your business’s cybersecurity? Get in touch with us today for an initial conversation and take the first step on your Essential 8 journey.

First Four Controls and How to Achieve Them - A Phased Approach

The first four controls (Application Control, Patch Applications, Configure Microsoft Office Macros, and User Application Hardening) are considered the most critical because they directly address the most common initial attack vectors used by adversaries. Implementing these provides a strong baseline for preventing malware and reducing vulnerabilities.

Why Focus on the First Four Controls?

For many businesses, implementing the first four is seen as a quick win. It significantly reduces exposure to common threats and buys time to plan for full compliance. However, the ASD and ACSC recommend eventually implementing all eight for comprehensive protection and resilience

Why Choose Qbit For Your Essential 8 Journey?

Essential 8 experts you can trust

Straightforward guidance from beginning to end

Experienced Australian cybersecurity professionals

Ongoing support to strengthen security controls

Partner With Qbit for End-to-End Guidance With Essential 8

Qbit helps businesses put the Essential 8 into practice, giving you clear guidance, ongoing support, and peace of mind.

Send us an enquiry online or call (08) 6364 0600 to arrange your quote for an Essential 8 assessment and take real steps to protect your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Essential 8 mandatory?

The Essential 8 is not mandatory for most businesses, but it is widely adopted by Australian businesses as a framework that reduces cybersecurity risks and strengthens security controls.

How do you get Essential 8 certified?

There is no formal Essential 8 certification. Instead, businesses hire specialists like Qbit to assess their maturity level, and work towards implementing the required technical controls.

How can a business implement and make use of the Essential 8 strategy?

Organisations can implement the Essential 8 by applying the eight mitigation strategies across their systems. This is usually done with guidance from cybersecurity specialists like Qbit to make sure that the controls are practical and effective.