Cybersecurity threats are evolving rapidly, making it crucial for organizations to adopt robust measures to protect their systems and data. In Australia, the Essential 8 framework, developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), offers a practical and prioritised approach to mitigating cyber risks. While Essential 8 is not a mandatory compliance requirement for most organizations, it provides an excellent benchmark for building a strong cybersecurity foundation. However, for organizations seeking certifications like the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP), aligning with the Essential 8 is essential.
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is a powerful tool to support SMB organizations with less than 300 users in implementing these controls, yet we find many are not leveraging it to its fullest extent.
Packed with advanced security features, compliance tools, and productivity enhancements, this solution provides small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with enterprise-grade capabilities to meet modern cybersecurity challenges.
What is the Essential 8?
The Essential Eight (maturity level 2) is a mandatory requirement for all Australian noncorporate Commonwealth entities subject to the PGPA (Public Governance, Performance, and Accountability) Act (as per PSPF (Protective Security Policy Framework) Policy 10). For more information about Australian Government advice on PGPA legislation, associated instruments, and policies, see PGPA legislation, associated instruments, and policies.
The Essential 8 outlines eight critical mitigation strategies designed to prevent cyber incidents, limit the impact of security breaches, and ensure quick recovery.
The strategies are grouped into three maturity levels, providing a clear roadmap for organizations to enhance their security posture.
The controls include:
- Patch Applications – Keep software updated to address vulnerabilities.
- Patch Operating Systems – Ensure OS vulnerabilities are addressed.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Require MFA for all users.
- Configure Microsoft Office Macros – Restrict macro-enabled documents.
- Restrict Administrative Privileges – Limit and manage admin rights.
- Application Control – Prevent execution of unapproved software.
- User Application Hardening – Reduce attack surfaces by disabling risky features.
- Daily Backups – Protect data integrity through secure backups.
These strategies align with global best practices and are particularly relevant to organizations looking to achieve certifications such as the Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).
Why Microsoft 365 Business Premium to meet Essential 8 Cyber Controls?
Microsoft 365 Business Premium is uniquely equipped to help organizations implement and automate many of the Essential 8 controls. It includes:
- Azure Active Directory Premium for identity and access management, including Conditional Access and Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Microsoft Intune for endpoint management, enabling patching and application control.
- Microsoft Defender for Business for advanced threat detection and endpoint security.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Microsoft Purview for securing sensitive information.
- Azure Information Protection for encrypting and classifying data.
What makes Microsoft 365 Business Premium particularly compelling is its cost-effectiveness. Most small businesses already invest in Microsoft 365 licenses for email, collaboration, and productivity tools. Upgrading to Business Premium offers a significant cybersecurity enhancement at a relatively low incremental cost. For a single license fee, businesses gain access to enterprise-grade security features typically available only through separate, costly solutions from multiple vendors. By consolidating these capabilities within a familiar platform, Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides exceptional value for small and medium-sized businesses seeking to strengthen their cybersecurity posture without overextending their budgets.
With these features, Microsoft 365 Business Premium provides an integrated, cloud-based solution that simplifies alignment with Essential 8 best practices, even for organizations not pursuing formal certification
Key Benefits of Combining Essential 8 with Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Cost-Effective Security: A single subscription covers comprehensive security features without the need for multiple vendors.
- Customizable Security Solutions: Provides flexibility to tailor security configurations to meet the unique needs of your business, ensuring alignment with Essential 8 controls.
- Scalability: Suitable for small businesses and scalable for growing organizations.
- Built-In Compliance: Native tools to support audits, reporting, and regulatory compliance.
What’s Next?
In this series, we’ll show you the best ways to meet each Essential 8 control using Microsoft 365 Business Premium. We’ll walk you through practical steps to implement these solutions, share insights into how they work, and discuss how to get the most value out of your investment.
In addition to exploring the Essential 8 controls, we will also demonstrate how these controls align with the larger Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) Information Security Manual (ISM) framework. This alignment ensures that your cybersecurity practices are not only robust but also adhere to broader security standards critical for high-security environments.
Finally, we’ll recommend the tools and services Databl uses as part of our DISP and Essential 8-aligned Managed Service offerings to ensure full coverage of the Essential 8 control requirements. These tools and best practices are tailored to simplify your compliance journey while strengthening your cybersecurity posture.
Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll explore Patch Applications using Microsoft Defender and Intune, along with Databl’s expert recommendations for streamlining this process.
Additional resources
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/compliance/anz/
https://blueprint.asd.gov.au/security-and-governance/essential-eight/
https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cyber-security/ism
