Automating the ACSC Essential Eight with Microsoft Purview

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed the Essential Eight as a foundational framework to help organisations mitigate cyber threats such as ransomware and data breaches. Widely adopted across both public and private sectors, the Essential Eight is considered a minimum standard for cybersecurity in Australia.
For most organisations, maintaining ongoing compliance, especially in dynamic IT environments, is a challenge. That’s where Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager comes in. This powerful tool helps organisations automate monitoring, assess risks, and streamline adherence to the Essential Eight, ensuring resilience against evolving threats.

Why Continuous Compliance Matters

The Essential Eight comprises eight mitigation strategies:
These controls are mapped to Maturity Levels zero to three, guiding organisations from basic to advanced cybersecurity readiness. In Australia’s current threat landscape, even minor lapses, such as outdated macro settings or missed patches, can lead to serious cyber incidents. Manual audits are no longer sufficient. Automated tools, such as Compliance Manager, offer real-time visibility and proactive risk management.

Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager: Key Features

1. Pre-Built Essential Eight Premium Templates

• Maturity-Level Templates: Designed specifically for Australian organisations, these templates align with ACSC guidelines and map controls to Microsoft 365 configurations (e.g., Intune, Azure AD).
• Automated Assessments: Continuously evaluates your environment, flagging issues such as inactive backups or insufficient MFA coverage.

2. Compliance Scoring and Risk Prioritisation

• Dynamic Compliance Score: Quantifies your adherence to Essential Eight controls, helping prioritise remediation efforts.
• Improvement Actions: Offers step-by-step guidance tailored to Australian environments, such as enabling macro restrictions or deploying Attack Surface Reduction rules.

3. Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts

• Configuration Drift Detection: Alerts teams when settings deviate from baselines (e.g., excessive admin privileges).
• Microsoft 365 Integration: Uses data from Azure AD, Intune, and Defender for Endpoint to monitor controls like application whitelisting and patch status.

4. Evidence Management and Reporting

• Centralised Documentation: Maintains audit-ready evidence to support internal and external audits, such as IRAP and ISO/IEC 27001.
• Customisable Reports: Generates reports for internal stakeholders or external auditors, demonstrating progress toward maturity levels.

Essential Eight Controls in Practice

Application Control: Restricts unauthorised software. Microsoft Intune allows Australian organisations to whitelist approved applications, reducing malware risks.

Patching Applications: Unpatched apps are a significant vulnerability. Compliance Manager integrates with Windows Update for Business to track patch status and alert IT teams.

Configuring Macros: Macros are a common attack vector. Intune policies can block macros from untrusted sources, and Compliance Manager ensures these policies remain enforced.

UserApplication Hardening: Disables risky features, such as Flash and ads. Defender for Endpoint helpsenforce these settings across user devices.

RestrictingAdministrative Privileges: Limits access to sensitive systems. Azure AD Conditional Access and Role-BasedAccess Control (RBAC) help enforce the principle of least privilege.

‍Multi-FactorAuthentication (MFA): Protects against credential theft. Azure AD supports various MFA methods, andCompliance Manager verifies enforcement across users.

Regular Backups: Ensures data recovery in case of incidents. Microsoft 365 backup solutions integrate with Compliance Manager to validate schedules and retention policies.

Implementing Essential Eight Compliance in 5 Steps

1. Select the Right Template: Select the Essential Eight Premium template that aligns with your target maturity level.
2. Link Microsoft 365 Services: Assign services like Azure AD, Intune, and Defender to the assessment for automated evaluation.
3. Review and Address Gaps: Use the Improvement Actions tab to resolve issues such as missing MFA or macro restrictions.
4. Enable Continuous Monitoring: Activate alerts for configuration drift and policy changes to ensure continuous compliance.
5. Leverage Microsoft Ecosystem Integration: Use Secure Score and Microsoft Sentinel to enhance visibility and threat detection.

Common Challenges for Australian Organisations

• Licensing Requirements: Full functionality is available with Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Enterprise E5.
• Scope Limitations: The Essential Eight focuses on Windows environments. Use Defender for Cloud Apps to extend coverage to mobile and cloud assets.
• Shared Responsibility Model: Microsoft manages infrastructure-level controls, while organisations are responsible for data-specific policies.

Benefits of Automation

• Reduced Manual Effort: Real-time tracking eliminates the need for periodic audits.
• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Identify and resolve vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Audit Readiness: Maintain up-to-date evidence for internal and external audits.

How Spartans Security Can Help

At Spartans Security, we understand the unique cybersecurity challenges faced by Australian organisations. Our team offers end-to-end support to help you achieve and maintain Essential Eight compliance using Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager.
Spartans Security Services Include:

• Compliance Readiness Assessments: We evaluate your current posture against ACSC’s Essential Eight and identify gaps.
• Microsoft Purview Deployment & Optimisation: We configure Compliance Manager to align with your maturity level and operational needs.
• Continuous Monitoring & Support: Our team provides ongoing oversight, alerting, and remediation support to ensure sustained compliance.
• Staff Training & Awareness: We deliver tailored training programs to help your team understand and uphold compliance responsibilities.
• Integration with Broader Frameworks: We help align Essential Eight compliance with ISO/IEC 27001, IRAP, and other Australian regulatory standards.

Whether you're a small business, enterprise, or government agency, Spartans Security offers the expertise and tools to make Essential Eight compliance seamless and sustainable. Contact Spartans Security for a personalised consultation and demo.

Conclusion

Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager transforms Essential Eight compliance from a static checklist into a dynamic, automated process. With pre-built templates, continuous monitoring, and deep integration with Microsoft 365, Australian organisations can maintain strong cybersecurity postures while reducing administrative overhead.

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