What is the Essential 8? A Plain English Guide for Business Owners
What is the Essential 8?
The Essential 8 is a set of practical cyber security strategies developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) to help businesses protect themselves from the most common types of cyber attacks.
Think of it as a shortlist of eight key actions that, if done well, can dramatically reduce your risk. They are not technical extras — they are the foundations of a strong, resilient business in the digital age.
Why the Essential 8 Matters for Business Owners
You do not need to be in IT to understand the importance of the Essential 8. They are about protecting three things every business values:
Revenue — preventing costly downtime, lost sales, and fraud
Reputation — avoiding the damage of a public breach or data leak
Resilience — being able to recover quickly when something goes wrong
The Essential 8 has become a benchmark for government, Defence suppliers, and many private sector industries. Increasingly, customers and partners expect you to be aligned with it.
The Eight Strategies in Plain English
1. Application Control
Only allow trusted programs to run on your systems. This stops malicious software from sneaking in.
2. Patch Applications
Keep all software up to date so attackers cannot exploit known weaknesses.
3. Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings
Macros can be used to spread malware. Only allow them from trusted sources.
4. User Application Hardening
Turn off risky features in common software that cyber criminals use to get in.
5. Restrict Administrative Privileges
Limit high-level system access to only those who truly need it.
6. Patch Operating Systems
Keep your operating systems updated with the latest security fixes.
7. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Require a second proof of identity (like a code on your phone) when logging in.
8. Regular Backups
Securely back up important data and make sure you can restore it quickly.
Where to Start?
Most businesses benefit from starting with an Essential 8 assessment to understand their current maturity level and identify priority actions. From there, you can create a targeted uplift plan to reach your compliance and security goals.