What is it?
The Essential Eight is a set of recommended cybersecurity strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). It helps protect organizations against the most common cyber threats – like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches.
The Essential Eight cybersecurity controls are a set of best practice guidelines designed to help organizations protect their systems and data from common cyber threats. They are widely recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and are focused on the most effective strategies to mitigate cyber risks. These controls are crucial for building a robust cybersecurity posture and defending against a wide range of cyber threats.
Why It Matters
- Reduces your risk of a cyber attack
- Helps meet compliance and audit requirements
- Reduce Cyber Insurance Costs.
- Improved Cyber Security Maturity
- Protects sensitive data and systems
- Scalable for organizations of all sizes
The 8 Essential Controls
Strategy | Purpose |
1. Application Control | Stop unauthorised apps (like malware) from running. |
2. Patch Applications | Keep apps up to date to close security holes. |
3. Office Macro Settings | Restrict risky macros that can deliver malware. |
4. Application Hardening | What is it? |
5. Admin Privilege Restrictions | The Essential Eight is a set of recommended cybersecurity strategies developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). It helps protect organizations against the most common cyber threats – like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. |
6. Patch Operating Systems | Click Read More |
7. Multi-Factor Authentication | The Essential Eight cybersecurity controls are a set of best practice guidelines designed to help organizations protect their systems and data from common cyber threats. They are widely recommended by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and are focused on the most effective strategies to mitigate cyber risks. These controls are crucial for building a robust cybersecurity posture and defending against a wide range of cyber threats. |
8. Regular Backups | Why It Matters |
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Maturity Levels
Each control is assessed from Level 0 (not implemented) to Level 3 (fully implemented & effective).
Most government and critical infrastructure orgs aim for Maturity Level 2 or 3.
Who Should Use It?
- Government agencies
- Critical infrastructure (energy, health, transport)
- Financial Services
- Mining, Oil & Gas
- Any business that wants to protect itself from cyber threats
Need Security Essential 8 Resources? Here’s Why Smart Companies Use Sense-IT
Sense-it can connect you with contractors or consultants who specialize in SE8 compliance and uplift projects. Fast, vetted, and ready to work.
If you’re trying to meet or uplift your compliance with the ACSC’s Essential Eight (SE8), there’s no room for guesswork. You need specialists – resources who know exactly how to assess, implement, and optimise SE8 controls. But here’s the truth:
Finding them yourself is slow, risky, and expensive.
This is where Sense-IT becomes your unfair advantage.
Why Businesses Trust Sense-IT for SE8 Projects
1. We Bring You SE8-Ready Talent – Fast
Hiring the wrong resource can set your project back by weeks. We eliminate that risk by connecting you with pre-vetted professionals who have hands-on experience delivering Essential Eight outcomes. Whether you need someone to lead an uplift or close audit gaps, we’ll have options ready – in days, not weeks.
2. You Focus on Delivery, Not Hiring
While you focus on risk reduction, compliance, and outcomes, we handle everything else: job scoping, sourcing, screening, reference checks, contracts, onboarding – all done for you. No sourcing bottlenecks. No distractions for your tech team.
3. Resources When You Need Them, Not When They’re Available
SE8 compliance isn’t a forever project. Whether you need someone for 3 months, 6 months, or on-call advisory, we’ll match you with talent who are project-ready and aligned to your timeline.
4. We Know the SE8 Market Inside-Out
Essential Eight specialists don’t sit on job boards—and they don’t come cheap if you don’t know what the market’s doing. We advise you on market rates, skills availability, and what it takes to secure top-tier contractors – before your competitors do.
5. You Reduce Hiring Risk
When you go it alone, you gamble. When you use us, you get backed performance guarantees, full transparency, and real-time updates. We don’t just send profiles – we deliver outcomes.
Real Business Impact
Whether you’re in government, mining, critical infrastructure, finance, or a growing mid-tier business looking to boost maturity, the time to act is now. Delaying compliance or underestimating resourcing could put your systems – and reputation – at risk.
Don’t lose time sourcing for contractors who might be a fit.
Partner with Sense-IT who knows the SE8 landscape. Get the right people, first time.
