What Is the Essential Eight? Implementation, Compliance, and How Orbit Keeps You Secure

In today’s threat-heavy digital landscape, cybersecurity isn’t optional—it’s a business imperative. As cyberattacks on Australian businesses continue to rise, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has introduced a practical, baseline strategy known as the Essential Eight. Designed to significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats, the Essential Eight offers a structured approach to hardening your IT environment.
At Orbit Consulting Group, we specialise in helping Australian businesses understand, implement, and remain compliant with the Essential Eight framework. This guide explains what the Essential Eight is, why it matters, how to implement it effectively, and how OrbitCG.com.au can help you stay one step ahead of evolving cyber threats.

 

What Is the Essential Eight?

The Essential Eight is a set of cybersecurity mitigation strategies developed by the ACSC. These strategies are not just recommendations—they form a foundational framework for defending systems against a wide range of cyber threats, including ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
Originally created for federal agencies, the Essential Eight has become the benchmark for all Australian organisations aiming to bolster their cybersecurity resilience.

The Eight Strategies Are:
  1. Application Control – Prevent unapproved programs from executing.
  2. Patch Applications – Keep third-party applications up to date.
  3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings – Disable macros unless they are needed and secure.
  4. User Application Hardening – Block Flash, ads, and Java from untrusted sources.
  5. Restrict Administrative Privileges – Only allow necessary admin access.
  6. Patch Operating Systems – Keep OS updated to close vulnerabilities.
  7. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Require MFA for all users, especially admins.
  8. Regular Backups – Automate and test backups to ensure data integrity.

Why Is the Essential Eight Important?

The Essential Eight isn’t just a best practice—it’s a defensive necessity for modern businesses. Here’s why:
  • Reduces Cyber Risk: Implementing the Essential Eight can mitigate up to 85% of targeted cyberattacks.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Increasingly, Australian government contracts and industries like finance, healthcare, and education require evidence of cyber maturity aligned with the Essential Eight.
  • Insurance Requirements: Cyber insurance policies are beginning to demand that businesses demonstrate Essential Eight maturity.
  • Reputation Protection: A data breach can cost millions and damage your brand. Prevention is far cheaper than recovery.

Implementation Tiers: Understanding Maturity Levels

The ACSC defines four maturity levels (0–3) for each of the Essential Eight strategies. These help organisations understand how well they are implementing controls and where they need improvement.
  • Maturity Level 0: No implementation or significant gaps.
  • Maturity Level 1: Basic controls in place, but coverage is incomplete.
  • Maturity Level 2: Most risks mitigated with tested, functional controls.
  • Maturity Level 3: Strongest level, with automation, monitoring, and minimal human error.
Orbit helps assess your current maturity level and develop a roadmap to advance to your target level—typically Level 2 or 3 for most mid-sized businesses and enterprises.

 

How to Implement the Essential Eight

Implementing the Essential Eight is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires customisation based on your organisation’s size, risk appetite, systems, and compliance needs.

 

Step-by-Step Implementation Plan:

  1. Baseline Assessment
    • Orbit starts with a full audit of your IT environment against each Essential Eight strategy.
    • We identify your current maturity level and critical gaps.
  2. Prioritisation
    • Based on your business risk, compliance needs, and IT complexity, we prioritise implementation.
  3. Deployment
    • Each control is implemented using industry-leading tools and vendor partnerships. For example:
      • Application allowlisting with Microsoft AppLocker
      • Patch management via WSUS or third-party tools
      • MFA deployment with Azure AD or Duo Security
  4. Policy Integration
    • We align your internal policies and procedures with Essential Eight requirements to ensure sustainability.
  5. Training
    • Orbit offers end-user and admin training to ensure your team understands the changes and how to maintain security hygiene.
  6. Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
    • Security isn’t set-and-forget. We implement logging, real-time alerts, and monthly reviews to maintain your maturity level.
  7. Documentation and Audit Readiness
    • Orbit documents every change and process so you’re prepared for client, insurance, or government audits.

 

Challenges Businesses Face with Implementation

Many Australian businesses struggle to adopt the Essential Eight due to:
  • Lack of internal expertise
  • Competing IT priorities
  • Complex legacy systems
  • Poor visibility of endpoints or users
  • Budget constraints
That’s where Orbit comes in—our team of cybersecurity specialists simplifies the process, providing clarity, prioritisation, and efficient deployment strategies.

 

How Orbit Can Help You Stay Secure and Compliant

 

Tailored Assessments

We don’t sell boilerplate solutions. Orbit performs tailored cybersecurity assessments for your specific environment, whether you’re an accounting firm, hospital, or construction company.

End-to-End Implementation

From initial scoping to technical rollout and ongoing support, we manage the complete lifecycle of your Essential Eight compliance journey.

Cloud and On-Prem Expertise

Whether you’re in Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, or still running on-premise infrastructure, Orbit has experience implementing the Essential Eight across all environments.

Monitoring and Maintenance

We offer ongoing monitoring and incident response services to maintain compliance, especially in fast-changing environments.

Security-as-a-Service

For businesses without in-house cybersecurity teams, Orbit offers Essential Eight compliance and security operations as a managed monthly service.

Audit and Certification Preparation

Whether for government contracts or insurance renewals, we provide audit-ready documentation and can liaise with third-party auditors on your behalf.

 

Industries That Benefit Most from the Essential Eight

Orbit works with industries where compliance and security are critical, including:
  • Professional Services (accountants, law firms)
  • Healthcare (GP clinics, allied health, hospitals)
  • Education and Childcare
  • Government contractors
  • Retail and eCommerce
  • Financial Services
  • Construction and Property Management

 

Why Choose OrbitCG.com.au?

Orbit Consulting Group is an Australian-owned cybersecurity and IT consultancy with a proven track record in:
  • Cybersecurity frameworks (Essential Eight, NIST, ISO 27001)
  • Endpoint protection and patch management
  • Microsoft 365 security optimisation
  • Compliance advisory services
  • Managed security services for SMEs and enterprise clients
We pride ourselves on building lasting partnerships with our clients through transparency, technical excellence, and measurable results.