Managed IT Cyber Security Services

The Essential Eight Framework

Our Services / Managed Security Services (MSSP)

Cyber threats are no longer an abstract risk. They’re a real, daily concern for Perth businesses of all sizes — especially those managing sensitive data, regulated operations, or complex digital infrastructure.

That’s where the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework comes in. Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Essential Eight outlines eight practical, high-impact controls that can drastically reduce the risk of cyber incidents, breaches, and business disruption.

At Epic IT, we help Perth organisations implement the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework Perth in a way that’s achievable, measurable, and tailored to your risk profile.

What Is the Essential Eight Framework?

The Essential Eight framework is a government-endorsed cybersecurity strategy that focuses on eight core mitigation strategies — each designed to defend against the most common types of cyber attacks.

These strategies include:

Rather than relying on one-off tools or checklists, the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework gives your organisation a structured, progressive approach to improving security maturity over time.

Why Perth Businesses Choose Epic IT for the Essential Eight

As a Perth-based managed service provider with deep experience in compliance and security, we’ve helped businesses across real estate, healthcare, professional services, and education strengthen their defences with Essential Eight framework implementation.

We don’t just hand over a checklist — we provide:

We ensure the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework Perth works in the real world — not just on paper.

What Comes Next: The Further Five

Once your business reaches a solid Essential Eight maturity level, we help you take the next step with the Further Five — a set of advanced controls that strengthen your posture even further. These include backup validation, network segmentation, vulnerability scanning Perth, and more.

Together, the Essential Eight framework and Further Five form a comprehensive approach to modern cybersecurity — and Epic IT can guide you through both.

You can learn about ‘The Further Five’ here.

FAQs

The Essential Eight Framework is a cybersecurity strategy developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). It outlines eight key mitigation strategies that help organisations defend against common cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and data breaches. Epic IT helps Perth businesses implement the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework in a structured, practical way that aligns with your organisation’s risk profile and compliance needs.

Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated, making the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework a vital standard for Perth businesses. By implementing the eight controls — such as patching, multi-factor authentication, and regular backups — your organisation can drastically reduce the risk of cyber incidents, improve compliance, and build trust with customers.

The Essential Eight Framework includes the following key controls recommended by the ACSC:

‣ Patch applications
‣ Patch operating systems
‣ Multi-factor authentication
‣ Restrict administrative privileges
‣ Application control
‣ Restrict Microsoft Office macros
‣ User application hardening
‣ Regular backups

Each control plays a crucial role in reducing vulnerabilities and improving cyber resilience for Perth organisations.

Epic IT provides a full suite of services to help Perth businesses implement and maintain the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework. Our team conducts environment assessments, E8 gap analyses, tailored implementation roadmaps, and ongoing monitoring. We ensure each control is properly configured and supported with user training, making cybersecurity achievable and effective.

While not legally mandatory for all organisations, the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework is strongly recommended by the Australian Government and often required for government contracts and regulated industries. Even smaller Perth businesses benefit from adopting it — as it significantly reduces cyber risks and strengthens compliance with broader cybersecurity standards.

Once your business achieves a solid Essential Eight framework maturity level, Epic IT helps you move toward the Further Five — an advanced set of cybersecurity controls that include network segmentation, vulnerability management, and backup validation. Together, these frameworks form a comprehensive security posture for Perth organisations looking to go beyond compliance and ensure long-term resilience.