The Australian Signals Directorate has launched ASD Essentials, expanding its widely adopted Essential Eight framework to address a broader range of technology environments and cyber security risks.
The new framework introduces three chapters covering enterprise IT, operational technology, and cloud environments, providing prioritised guidance for government agencies, critical infrastructure operators, and large organisations.
Essentials for enterprise IT evolves the existing Essential Eight, while the OT guidance targets critical infrastructure operators and the cloud chapter supports organisations relying on software-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service environments.
The framework also incorporates AI-focused guidance to help organisations assess AI-enabled systems within their technology environments.
The ASD said Essentials is designed to help organisations strengthen cyber resilience according to their risk profiles and operational requirements, while remaining aligned with the Australian Government Information Security Manual and ASD best-practice advice.
“Advances in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, are enabling malicious actors to operate with greater scale, speed, and effectiveness,” Stephanie Crowe (pictured), head of the ASD’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, said in a statement.
“The technology solutions available to defend ourselves have also changed. Our focus is on helping Australian organisations keep pace with the evolving threat environment and strengthen their ability to withstand cyber incidents.
“The Essentials series builds on the success of the Essential Eight, providing organisations with practical, prioritised guidance to strengthen cyber resilience across a range of technology environments.”
The launch follows consultation with industry, government and critical infrastructure stakeholders, with the ASD pledging continued engagement as technology and cyber threats evolve.
Organisations should continue meeting their existing regulatory obligations until relevant regulators announce any changes, the ASD added.
Both the Essential Eight and ASD Essentials frameworks, along with supporting implementation guidance, will remain available through the Australian Government’s cyber.gov.au website during this period of transition.
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