In the current era of advanced technology, cyber threats have become a major concern for businesses of all sizes. As a result, it has become increasingly important for organisations to have robust cyber security frameworks in place. Essential Eight is a recognised framework recommended by the government in Australia, and CIS Controls is one of the most globally recognised frameworks in this domain. These frameworks offer structured guidance to organisations to strengthen their defences against cyber attacks.

In this article, we will explore the details of these frameworks. We will break down their components, practicality, and impact on modern cyber security practices. By doing so, we will better understand how these frameworks can help organisations protect their important assets from cyber threats.

Understanding the Essential Eight and CIS Controls:

Essential Eight:

Like many other countries, Australia faces an increasing number of cyber threats that can compromise sensitive data and disrupt operations. To strengthen the nation’s Cyber Security resilience, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has identified the Essential 8 Controls as fundamental strategies to mitigate Cyber Security risks.

The Essential 8 Controls are a comprehensive set that forms the foundation for a robust Cyber Security framework, ensuring the protection of an organisation’s critical systems and sensitive data.

Why Does Your Company Need the Essential 8 Controls?

Protection: The Essential 8 Controls cover a broad spectrum of security measures, including application whitelisting, patching applications, configuring Microsoft Office macro settings, and many more. Implementing these controls ensures that your organisation has a multi-layered defence strategy.

Adaptation to Changing Threats: Cyber threats constantly evolve. The Essential 8 Controls provide a flexible framework that allows your organisation to adapt and respond effectively to emerging threats.

Compliance and Regulations: Many industries are subject to stringent data protection and Cyber Security regulations. By adopting these controls, your company can demonstrate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.

 

CIS Controls:

The CIS Controls, formerly known as the SANS Critical Security Controls, are a set of best practices developed by the Centre for Internet Security (CIS) to help organisations defend against and respond to cyber threats. These controls provide a prioritised framework of cyber security measures that effectively prevent and mitigate cyber-attacks.

 

There are 20 CIS Controls organised into three categories:

Basic Controls: These are fundamental security measures that organisations should implement first. They focus on basic cyber hygiene practices such as inventory and control of hardware assets and continuous vulnerability management.

Foundational Controls: These controls build upon the basic controls and provide additional layers of security. They include areas such as secure configuration for hardware and software, continuous vulnerability assessment and remediation, controlled use of administrative privileges, and maintenance, monitoring, and analysis of audit logs.

Organisational Controls: These controls involve strategic cyber security management and governance practices. They include areas such as security awareness and training, application software security, incident response and management, penetration tests and red team exercises, and security metrics.

 

The CIS Controls are designed to be flexible and scalable, allowing organisations of all sizes and industries to tailor them to their specific cyber security needs. By implementing CIS Controls, organisations can improve their overall cyber security posture and better protect their assets, data, and systems from cyber threats.

Comparing the Two:

While the Essential Eight and CIS Controls share a common objective of fortifying organisations against cyber threats, they diverge in their approach, scope, and granularity of recommendations.

 

Overlap and Distinctions:

There is a significant overlap between the Essential Eight and CIS Controls, especially in foundational cyber security measures such as patch management, application control, and user authentication.

While the Essential Eight offers a concise and pragmatic set of strategies tailored to mitigate common cyber threats, the CIS Controls adopt a more granular approach, delineating a hierarchical framework comprising Basic, Foundational, and Organisational controls.

The Essential Eight’s focus on practical mitigation strategies resonates with organisations looking for tangible outcomes, while the CIS Controls’ comprehensive framework appeals to entities aiming for a more nuanced understanding of cyber security risk management.

 

Scalability and Flexibility:

The modular structure of the Essential Eight allows organisations to scale their cyber security initiatives according to their changing needs and risk profiles.

On the other hand, the tiered hierarchy of the CIS Controls accommodates organisations of different sizes and levels of maturity, providing a roadmap for advancing from basic cyber security practices to advanced threat detection and incident response capabilities.

By delineating the nuances between the Essential Eight and CIS Controls, organisations can make informed decisions regarding the most suitable framework for their cyber security needs. Let’s continue expanding on the comparison to provide a comprehensive analysis.

 

Which One is Best:

Essential Eight:

For organisations seeking a pragmatic and actionable roadmap to bolster their cyber security posture, the Essential Eight stands out as a model of simplicity and effectiveness.

Its streamlined approach to cyber security mitigation strategies resonates with entities prioritising ease of implementation and tangible outcomes over complexity.

 

CIS Controls:

With its comprehensive framework encompassing a wide array of cyber security controls, the CIS Controls offer organisations a roadmap for maturity and resilience, catering to entities aspiring for a nuanced understanding of cyber risk management.

Organisations with a heightened focus on regulatory compliance or those operating in sectors with stringent cyber security requirements may find the CIS Controls’ granular approach more aligned with their objectives.

Expanding on the merits of each framework enables organisations to make informed decisions regarding the most suitable approach to fortifying their cyber security defences. Let’s proceed to offer recommendations and a path guide for organisations embarking on their cyber security journey.

 

Recommendations and Path Guide:

Navigating the labyrinth of cyber security frameworks can be daunting for organisations embarking on their cyber security journey. However, armed with the right guidance and strategic approach, businesses can chart a course towards cyber resilience and robust defence mechanisms.

 

Starting with Essential Eight:

The Essential Eight serves as an ideal starting point for organisations in the nascent stages of their cyber security initiatives, offering a pragmatic and actionable roadmap to bolster defences against common cyber threats.

By prioritising the implementation of essential controls such as application whitelisting, patch management, and multi-factor authentication, organisations can lay a solid foundation for their cyber security posture.

The Essential Eight’s modular nature allows organisations to tailor their cyber security initiatives according to their unique risk profiles and resource constraints, ensuring scalability and flexibility.

 

Expanding with CIS Controls:

As organisations mature in their cyber security journey, they may seek to enhance their defences and cultivate a more comprehensive understanding of cyber risk management.

The CIS Controls offer a structured framework for organisations aspiring for maturity and resilience, guiding them through a hierarchy of controls ranging from basic cyber security hygiene to advanced threat detection and response capabilities.

By complementing the Essential Eight with additional controls from the CIS Controls framework, organisations can elevate their cyber security posture and fortify their defences against a broader spectrum of cyber threats.

Providing a roadmap for organisations to navigate the complexities of cyber security frameworks empowers them to make informed decisions about adopting the Essential Eight and CIS Controls. Let’s continue by offering guidance on where to start if a business lacks cyber security measures in place.

Where to Start Without Cyber Security in Place:

When organisations are entering new territory without established cyber security measures, beginning the cyber security journey can be daunting. However, by taking a methodical approach and using best practices, businesses can start their cyber security initiatives and strengthen their defences against cyber threats.

 

Conducting a Risk Assessment:

The first step in fortifying cyber security defences involves conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and threats.

By evaluating the organisation’s digital footprint, data assets, and existing security controls, businesses can gain insights into their risk exposure and prioritise mitigation efforts accordingly.

 

Implementing Essential Controls:

Based on the findings of the risk assessment, organisations should prioritise the implementation of essential cyber security controls such as patch management, application whitelisting, and multi-factor authentication.

These foundational controls serve as the cornerstone of a robust cyber security posture, mitigating common attack vectors and bolstering defences against malicious actors.

 

Developing a Cyber Security Policy:

Establishing a robust cyber security policy is essential for articulating the organisation’s commitment to cyber security and defining clear guidelines for security practices and procedures.

The cyber security policy should encompass areas such as data protection, access controls, incident response, and employee training, fostering a culture of security awareness within the organisation.

By providing actionable steps for organisations lacking cyber security measures, businesses can kickstart their cyber security journey and lay the groundwork for a resilient defence posture. Let’s conclude by offering guidance on what to review for organisations that already have cyber security measures in place.

 

What to Review if Already Implemented:

For organisations with existing cyber security measures in place, the journey towards cyber resilience is an ongoing endeavour characterised by continuous improvement and refinement of security practices. By conducting periodic reviews and assessments, businesses can identify areas for enhancement and fortify their defences against emerging cyber threats.

 

Conducting Security Audits:

Regular security audits and assessments enable organisations to evaluate the effectiveness of existing cyber security measures and identify potential gaps or vulnerabilities.

By engaging third-party auditors or leveraging internal expertise, businesses can gain insights into their security posture and prioritise remediation efforts accordingly.

 

Staying Aware of Emerging Threats:

Organisations must remain vigilant and proactive in identifying and mitigating emerging cyber threats in an ever-evolving threat landscape.

By monitoring threat intelligence feeds, participating in information-sharing forums, and staying aware of industry trends, businesses can stay one step ahead of cyber adversaries and fortify their defences accordingly.

 

Investing in Training and Awareness:

Cyber security is as much about people and processes as it is about technology. Investing in training and awareness programs empowers employees to recognise and respond to cyber threats effectively.

By fostering a culture of security awareness and equipping employees with the necessary skills and knowledge, organisations can enhance their resilience against social engineering attacks and insider threats.

By emphasising the importance of periodic reviews and continuous improvement, organisations can effectively reinforce their cyber security defences and adapt to the evolving threat landscape.

 

Conclusion:

In today’s age of digital transformation and constant connectivity, cyber security has become a top priority for organisations of all types and sizes. The Essential Eight and CIS Controls are leading frameworks that provide structured guidelines for strengthening defences against cyber threats.

While the Essential Eight provides a pragmatic and actionable roadmap for organisations seeking to bolster their cyber security posture, the CIS Controls offer a comprehensive framework for maturity and resilience, guiding entities through a hierarchy of controls tailored to their unique risk profiles.

By leveraging the strengths of both frameworks and adopting a systematic approach to cyber security, organisations can fortify their defences against a broad spectrum of cyber threats and navigate the complexities of the digital landscape with confidence and resilience.