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You can view all our publications from this page. Use the filters below to filter by audience type, title and summary and the sort options to sort for the most recently updated or published content.
02 Mar 2023
Essential Eight Maturity Model to ISM Mapping
This publication provides a mapping between Maturity Level Two and Maturity Level Three of the Essential Eight Maturity Model and the controls within the Information Security Manual (ISM).
20 Feb 2023
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.
20 Jan 2023
End of Support for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows Server
Under Microsoft’s Windows lifecycle policy, support for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows Server varies depending on the release (e.g. Microsoft Windows 10), edition (e.g. Enterprise) and version (e.g. 22H2) of the operating system being used. Following the expiration of the specified servicing timeline, organisations will no longer receive patches for security vulnerabilities identified in these products.
17 Jan 2023
Essential Eight Assessment Process Guide
The purpose of this document is to provide supplementary guidance on the eight essential mitigation strategies from the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents (known collectively as the ‘Essential Eight’). In doing so, this document details the steps for undertaking an assessment against the Essential Eight, including methods for testing the implementation of each of the mitigation strategies.
05 Dec 2022
Questions for Boards to Ask About Cyber Security
This publication discusses high-level topics that board members should know about cyber security within their organisations.
24 Nov 2022
Essential Eight Maturity Model
23 Nov 2022
Vulnerability Disclosure Programs Explained
A vulnerability disclosure program (VDP) is a collection of processes and procedures designed to identify, verify, resolve and report on security vulnerabilities disclosed by people who may be internal or external to organisations. The importance of developing, implementing and maintaining a well thought-out VDP cannot be underestimated. It is an integral part of professional organisations’ business operations.
21 Nov 2022
An Introduction to Securing Smart Places
Smart places, also known as smart cities, are places designed to provide enhanced services to citizens using a collection of smart information and communication technology (ICT)-enabled systems and devices that capture, communicate and analyse data. To achieve this purpose, previously discrete technologies and systems are interconnected to allow for large-scale coordination, real-time decision making, and increased visibility and situational awareness of the smart place’s status.
14 Jul 2022
Security Tips for Social Media and Messaging Apps
Social media and messaging apps can pose risks to the security and privacy of individuals and organisations. This guidance provides an overview of those risks along with recommendations for business and personal use in order to assist in securing social media accounts as well as social media and messaging apps.
12 Jul 2022
Cyber Incident Response Plan
The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) defines a cyber incident as an unwanted or unexpected cyber security event, or a series of such events, that have a significant probability of compromising business operations.
06 Jul 2022
Post-Quantum Cryptography
A cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) will render most contemporary public key cryptography (PKC) insecure, thus making ubiquitous secure communications based on current PKC technology infeasible. Such a computer does not currently exist, but this future threat should be mitigated before it is realised.
10 Jun 2022
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.
07 Jan 2022
Log4j: What Boards and Directors Need to Know
Log4j is a software library used as a building block found in a wide variety of Java applications. The Log4j vulnerability – otherwise known as Log4Shell – is trivial to exploit, and represents a significant business continuity risk. This publication outlines what Boards and Directors need to know in order to protect their businesses.
05 Jan 2022
Hardening Microsoft 365, Office 2021, 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.
06 Oct 2021
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 publication identifies security controls that should be considered when implementing VPN connections.
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.
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 publication offers guidance on identifying socially engineered messages delivered by email, SMS, instant messaging or other direct messaging services offered by social media applications.
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.
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.
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 publication provides guidance on what application control is, what application control is not, and how to implement application control.
IoT Code of Practice: Guidance for Manufacturers
Internet of Things (IoT) devices need to have effective cyber security provisions to defend against potential threats.
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.
An Examination of the Redaction Functionality of Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2017
This publication provides guidance on the efficacy of redaction facilities within Adobe Acrobat Pro DC 2017 and is intended for information technology and information security professionals within organisations looking to redact sensitive or personal information from PDF documents before releasing them into the public domain or to other third parties.
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.
Mitigating the Use of Stolen Credentials
This publication explains the risks posed by the use of stolen credentials and how they can be mitigated.
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).
Protecting Web Applications and Users
This publication provides advice for web developers and security professionals on how they can protect their existing web applications by implementing low cost and effective security controls which do not require changes to a web application’s code. These security controls when applied to new web applications in development, whether in the application’s code or server configuration, form part of the defence-in-depth strategy.
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 publication provides recommendations on hardening workstations using Enterprise and Education editions of Microsoft Windows 10 version 21H1.
Securing PowerShell in the Enterprise
This publication describes a maturity framework for PowerShell in a way that balances the security and business requirements of organisations. This maturity framework will enable organisations to take incremental steps towards securing PowerShell across their environment.
Secure Administration
Privileged access allows administrators to perform their duties such as establishing and making changes to key servers, networking devices, user workstations and user accounts. Privileged access or credentials are often seen as the ‘keys to the kingdom’ as they allow the bearers to have access and control over many different assets within a network. This publication provides guidance on how to implement secure administration techniques.
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 publication provides guidance on both how to select a web conferencing solution and how to use it securely.
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.
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.
Industrial Control Systems Remote Access Protocol
External parties may need to connect remotely to critical infrastructure control networks. This is to allow manufacturers of equipment the ability to maintain the equipment when a fault is experienced that cannot be fixed in the required timeframe. Such access to external parties will only occur in extraordinary circumstances, and will only be given at critical times where access is required to maintain the quality of everyday life in Australia.
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.
Implementing Network Segmentation and Segregation
This publication intends to assist staff responsible for an organisation’s network architecture and design to increase the security posture of their networks by applying network segmentation and segregation strategies.
Microsoft Office Macro Security
Microsoft Office applications can execute macros to automate routine tasks. However, macros can contain malicious code resulting in unauthorised access to sensitive information as part of a targeted cyber intrusion. This publication has been developed to discuss approaches that can be applied by organisations to secure systems against malicious macros while balancing both their business and security requirements.
Cyber Security for Contractors
This publication has been developed to assist contractors with appropriately securing Australian Government information on their systems.
Using Remote Desktop Clients
Remote access solutions are increasingly being used to access organisations’ systems. One common method of enabling remote access is to use a remote desktop client. This publication provides guidance on security risks associated with the use of remote desktop clients.
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.
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.
Malicious Email Mitigation Strategies
Socially engineered emails containing malicious attachments and embedded links are routinely used in targeted cyber intrusions against organisations. This publication has been developed to provide mitigation strategies for the security risks posed by these malicious emails.
Mitigating Java-based Intrusions
Java applications are widely deployed by organisations. As such, exploiting security vulnerabilities in the Java platform is particularly attractive to adversaries seeking unauthorised access to organisations’ networks.
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.
Introduction to Cross Domain Solutions
This publication introduces technical and non-technical audiences to the concept of a Cross Domain Solution (CDS), a type of security capability that is used to connect discrete systems within separate security domains in an assured manner.
Mitigating Drive-by Downloads
Adversaries are increasingly using drive‐by download techniques to deliver malicious software that compromises computers. This publication explains how drive‐by downloads operate and how compromise from these techniques can be mitigated.
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).
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.
Managed Service Providers: How to Manage Risk to Customer Networks
The compromise of several Managed Service Providers (MSPs) was reported in 2017. In response, the Australian Cyber Security Center (ACSC) provided organisations with the information they needed to protect themselves and others from this threat.
Cloud Computing Security for Cloud Service Providers
This publication 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 publication can also assist CSPs to offer secure cloud services.
