The Australian government has developed a course to teach organizations how to apply “eight essential” security measures. The Australian intelligence agency previously stated that implementing the “Essential 8” measures could prevent most cyber attacks. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) developed the newly announced course.
The Essential 8 measures include blocking scripts and executable files (application control), patching applications, disabling macros in Microsoft Office, hardening user applications, limiting administrator privileges, patching operating systems, implementing multi-factor authentication, and regularly backing up data. The course will explain to organizations what the Essential 8 measures entail, how to implement them, and how to test their implementation. It is being tested among various government agencies and will be rolled out across Australia in August.
Key Elements of the Essential 8 Measures:
- Application Control: Blocking scripts and executable files to prevent unauthorized code execution.
- Application Patching: Keeping software applications updated with the latest security patches.
- Disabling Macros: Turning off macros in Microsoft Office to prevent potential malware execution.
- Hardening User Applications: Enhancing the security configuration of user applications.
- Limiting Administrator Privileges: Restrict administrative rights to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Operating System Patching: Regularly updating operating systems to address known vulnerabilities.
- Multi-Factor Authentication: Implementing additional layers of authentication to enhance account security.
- Regular Backups: Performing regular data backups to mitigate the impact of data loss or ransomware attacks.
Course Details and Rollout
The cybersecurity course will explain implementing and testing the Essential 8 measures. It is currently undergoing testing within various government agencies and will be available nationwide from August. The training aims to equip organizations with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement these crucial security practices and enhance their cyber defense capabilities.
Developing the cybersecurity course by the Australian Cyber Security Centre reflects the government’s commitment to improving cybersecurity practices. By focusing on the Essential 8 measures, organizations will be better prepared to prevent cyber attacks and protect their digital assets. The course will raise awareness and provide practical guidance to enhance cybersecurity resilience across Australia.
