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03 Aug 2021

How to Manage Your Security When Engaging a Managed Service Provider

The compromise of several Managed Service Providers’ (MSPs) was reported in 2017. In response, the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) provided organisations with the information they needed to protect themselves and others from this threat.

03 Aug 2021

Questions to ask Managed Service Providers

This document provides simple yet practical questions to ask managed service providers regarding the cyber security of their systems and the services they provide.

22 Jul 2021

Essential Eight Maturity Model FAQ

The Essential Eight Maturity Model provides advice on how to implement the Essential Eight to mitigate different levels of adversary tradecraft and targeting.

16 Jul 2021

Essential Eight Maturity Model

The Essential Eight Maturity Model provides advice on how to implement the Essential Eight to mitigate different levels of adversary tradecraft and targeting.

12 Jul 2021

End of Support for Microsoft Windows 10

Under Microsoft’s current servicing model, support for Microsoft Windows 10 will end between 18 to 30 months after release depending on the version and edition being used. At such a time, organisations will no longer receive patches for security vulnerabilities identified in these products. Subsequently, adversaries may use these unpatched security vulnerabilities to target workstations running unsupported versions of Microsoft Windows 10.

12 Jul 2021

Implementing Application Control

Application control is one of the most effective mitigation strategies in ensuring the security of systems. As such, application control forms part of the Essential Eight from the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents. This document provides guidance on what application control is, what application control is not, and how to implement application control.

12 Jul 2021

Hardening Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H1 Workstations

Workstations are often targeted by an adversary using malicious websites, emails or removable media in an attempt to extract sensitive information. Hardening workstations is an important part of reducing this risk. This document provides recommendations on hardening workstations using Enterprise and Education editions of Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H1.

12 Jul 2021

Hardening Linux Workstations and Servers

This document has been developed to assist organisations understand how to harden Linux workstations and servers, including by applying the Essential Eight from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)’s Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents.

12 Jul 2021

Assessing Security Vulnerabilities and Applying Patches

Applying patches to applications and operating systems is critical to ensuring the security of systems. As such, patching forms part of the Essential Eight from the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents.

18 Feb 2021

Security Configuration Guide – Samsung Galaxy S10, S20 and Note 20 Devices

The ACSC has developed this guide to assist Australian’s to understand the risks when deploying Samsung Galaxy S10 and S20 devices.

04 Feb 2021

Security Configuration Guide – Viasat Mobile Dynamic Defense

The ACSC has developed this guidance to assist organisations to understand the risks of deploying and provide specific configuration requirements for the Viasat Mobile Dynamic Defense (MDD) system to handle sensitive or classified data.

04 Feb 2021

Security Configuration Guide – Apple iOS 14 Devices

The ACSC has developed this guide to assist Australian’s to understand the risks of deploying iOS 14 and the security requirements that need to be met to allow iOS 14 to handle sensitive or classified data.

14 Jan 2021

Domain Name System Security for Domain Owners

This publication provides information on Domain Name System (DNS) security for domain owners, as well as mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of misuse of domains and associated resources. Organisations are recommended to implement the mitigation strategies in this publication to improve the security of their DNS infrastructure.

14 Jan 2021

Domain Name System Security for Domain Resolvers

This publication provides information on Domain Name System (DNS) security for recursive resolution servers, as well as mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of DNS resolver subversion or compromise. Organisations should implement the mitigation strategies in this publication to improve the security of their DNS infrastructure.

07 Jan 2021

Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management

All organisations should consider cyber supply chain risk management. If a supplier, manufacturer, distributor or retailer (i.e. businesses that constitute a cyber supply chain) are involved in products or services used by an organisation, there will be a cyber supply chain risk originating from those businesses. Likewise, an organisation will transfer any cyber supply chain risk they hold to their customers.

07 Jan 2021

Identifying Cyber Supply Chain Risks

This guidance has been developed to assist organisations in identifying risks associated with their use of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers (i.e. businesses that constitute their cyber supply chain).

03 Dec 2020

How to Combat Fake Emails

Organisations can reduce the likelihood of their domains being used to support fake emails by implementing Sender Policy Framework (SPF) and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting and Conformance (DMARC) records in their Domain Name System (DNS) configuration. Using DMARC with DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) to sign emails provides further safety against fake emails. Likewise, organisations can better protect their users against fake emails by ensuring their email systems use and apply SPF, DKIM and DMARC policies on inbound email.

03 Dec 2020

Implementing Certificates, TLS, HTTPS and Opportunistic TLS

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a widely used encryption protocol which enables parties to communicate securely over the internet. Through the use of certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), parties can identify each other through a trusted intermediary and establish encrypted tunnels for the secure transfer of information.

01 Dec 2020

Creating Strong Passphrases

Multi-factor authentication (a combination of something that you know, something that you have or something that you are) is one of the most effective ways to protect against unauthorised access to valuable information and accounts. However, in cases where multi-factor authentication is not available, a strong passphrase can often be the only barrier between adversaries and your valuable information and accounts. Passphrases are most effective when they are long, complex, unpredictable and unique.

19 Nov 2020

Marketing and Filtering Email Service Providers

This publication provides high level guidance on how to use email service providers (ESPs) in particular deployment scenarios. The considerations and controls described in that publication also apply to ESPs sending email on your behalf.

23 Oct 2020

Protecting Against Business Email Compromise

Business email compromise is when criminals use email to abuse trust in business processes to scam organisations out of money or goods. Criminals can impersonate business representatives using similar names, domains and/or fraudulent logos as a legitimate organisation or by using compromised email accounts and pretending to be a trusted co-worker.

19 Oct 2020

Defending Against the Malicious Use of the Tor Network

Blocking traffic from the Tor network will prevent adversaries from using the Tor network to easily conduct anonymous reconnaissance and exploitation of systems and typically has minimal, if any, impact on legitimate users. This publication provides guidance on the prevention and detection of traffic from the Tor network.

02 Oct 2020

Ransomware in Australia

The Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has observed an increase in the number of ransomware incidents affecting Australian organisations and individuals.

14 Sep 2020

Security Tips for Social Media and Social Networking Apps

Social media, and social networking or messaging apps, can pose a number of security and privacy risks to both organisations and individuals when used in an inappropriate or unsafe manner.

10 Sep 2020

ASD Cyber Skills Framework

The ASD Cyber Skills Framework defines the roles, capabilities and skills that are essential to ASD’s cyber missions. The ASD Cyber Skills Framework enables targeted recruitment of cyber specialists, provides a development pathway for current and future cyber staff, and aligns skills, knowledge and attributes with national and international industry standards.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Computing Security for Tenants

This document is designed to assist an organisation’s cyber security team, cloud architects and business representatives to jointly perform a risk assessment and use cloud services securely.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Security Controls Matrix

The Cloud Security Controls Matrix (CSCM) provides additional context to the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM) security controls for cloud computing to assist security assessments.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Computing Security Considerations

Cloud computing offers potential benefits including cost savings and improved business outcomes for organisations. However, there are a variety of information security risks that need to be carefully considered. Risks will vary depending on the sensitivity of the data to be stored or processed, and how the chosen cloud vendor (also referred to as a cloud service provider) has implemented their specific cloud services.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Assessment and Authorisation – Frequently Asked Questions

This publication provides answers relating to frequently asked questions on the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)’s new cloud security guidance, future support, government self-assessment and cloud security assessment reports.

27 Jul 2020

Anatomy of a Cloud Assessment and Authorisation

The Anatomy of a Cloud Assessment and Authorisation is co-designed with industry to support the secure adoption of cloud services across government and industry.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Computing Security for Cloud Service Providers

This document is designed to assist assessors validating the security posture of a cloud service in order to provide organisations with independent assurance of security claims made by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). This document can also assist CSPs to offer secure cloud services.

27 Jul 2020

Cloud Security Assessment Report Template

The Cloud Security Assessment Report Template is used to assess a cloud service provider (CSP) and its cloud services, improving the consistency of the Cloud Security Assessment Reports.

10 Jul 2020

Security Tips for Personal Devices

There are a lot of things to think about when it comes to the use of personal devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, computers and laptops). For example, compromises of personal devices and the information they store can have significant productivity, financial and emotional impacts. This document has been written to provide security tips to secure personal devices and protect your information.

26 Jun 2020

Restricting Administrative Privileges

This publication provides guidance on restricting the use of administrative privileges. Restricting the use of administrative privileges is one of the eight essential mitigation strategies from the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents.

26 Jun 2020

Travelling Overseas with Electronic Devices

This publication provides guidance on strategies that individuals can take to secure the use of electronic devices when travelling overseas.

26 Jun 2020

Preparing for and Responding to Cyber Security Incidents

The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) is responsible for monitoring and responding to cyber threats targeting Australian interests. The ACSC can help organisations respond to cyber security incidents. Reporting cyber security incidents ensures that the ACSC can provide timely assistance.

26 Jun 2020

Data Spill Management Guide

A data spill is the accidental or deliberate exposure of information into an uncontrolled or unauthorised environment, or to persons without a need-to-know. A data spill is sometimes referred to as information disclosure or a data leak. Data spills are considered cyber security incidents and should be reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

26 Jun 2020

Securing Content Management Systems

Security vulnerabilities within content management systems (CMS) installed on web servers of organisations are often exploited by adversaries. Once a CMS has been compromised, the web server can be used as infrastructure to facilitate targeted intrusion attempts.

26 Jun 2020

Implementing Multi-Factor Authentication

Multi-factor authentication is one of the most effective controls an organisation can implement to prevent an adversary from gaining access to a device or network and accessing sensitive information. When implemented correctly, multi-factor authentication can make it significantly more difficult for an adversary to steal legitimate credentials to facilitate further malicious activities on a network. Due to its effectiveness, multi-factor authentication is one of the Essential Eight from the Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents.

26 Jun 2020

Bring Your Own Device for Executives

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) scenarios enable organisations to take advantage of new technologies faster. It also has the potential to reduce hardware costs and improve organisational productivity and flexibility. However, BYOD also introduces new risks to an organisation’s business and the security of its information, which need to be carefully considered before implementation.

26 Jun 2020

Risk Management of Enterprise Mobility Including Bring Your Own Device

This document has been developed to provide senior business representatives with a list of enterprise mobility considerations. These include business cases, regulatory obligations and legislation, available budget and personnel resources, and risk tolerance. Additionally, risk management controls are provided for cyber security practitioners.

26 Jun 2020

Windows Event Logging and Forwarding

A common theme identified by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) while performing investigations is that organisations have insufficient visibility of activity occurring on their workstations and servers. Good visibility of what is happening in an organisation’s environment is essential for conducting an effective investigation. It also aids incident response efforts by providing critical insights into the events relating to a cyber security incident and reduces the overall cost of responding to them.

26 Jun 2020

End of Support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2

On 14 January 2020, Microsoft ended support for Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2. As such, organisations no longer receive patches for security vulnerabilities identified in these products. Subsequently, adversaries may use these unpatched security vulnerabilities to target Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 servers.

26 Jun 2020

Mergers, Acquisitions and Machinery of Government Changes

This publication provides guidance on strategies that organisations can apply during mergers, acquisitions and Machinery of Government changes.

26 Jun 2020

Using Virtual Private Networks

Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections can be an effective means of providing remote access to a network; however, VPN connections can be abused by an adversary to gain access to a network without relying on malware and covert communication channels. This document identifies security controls that should be considered when implementing VPN connections.

26 Jun 2020

Fundamentals of Cross Domain Solutions

This guidance introduces technical and non-technical audiences to cross domain security principles for securely connecting security domains. It explains the purpose of a Cross Domain Solution (CDS) and promotes a data-centric approach to a CDS system implementation based on architectural principles and risk management. This guidance also covers a broad range of fundamental concepts relating to a CDS, which should be accessible to readers who have some familiarity with the field of cyber security. Organisations with complex information sharing requirements are encouraged to refer to this guidance in the planning, analysis, design and implementation of CDS systems.

26 Jun 2020

Hardening Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus, Office 2019 and Office 2016

Workstations are often targeted by adversaries using malicious websites, emails or removable media in an attempt to extract sensitive information. Hardening applications on workstations is an important part of reducing this risk.

26 Jun 2020

Web Conferencing Security

Web conferencing solutions (also commonly referred to as online collaboration tools) often provide audio/video conferencing, real-time chat, desktop sharing and file transfer capabilities. As we increasingly use web conferencing to keep in touch while working from home, it is important to ensure that this is done securely without introducing unnecessary privacy, security and legal risks. This document provides guidance on both how to select a web conferencing solution and how to use it securely.

26 Jun 2020

Preparing for and Responding to Denial-of-Service Attacks

Although organisations cannot avoid being targeted by denial-of-service attacks, there are a number of measures that organisations can implement to prepare for and potentially reduce the impact if targeted. Preparing for denial-of-service attacks before they occur is by far the best strategy, it is very difficult to respond once they begin and efforts at this stage are unlikely to be effective.

26 Jun 2020

Detecting Socially Engineered Messages

Socially engineered messages present a significant threat to individuals and organisations due to their ability to assist an adversary with compromising accounts, devices, systems or sensitive information. This document offers guidance on identifying socially engineered messages delivered by email, SMS, instant messaging or other direct messaging services offered by social media applications.