IT security is a critical aspect of business operations in today’s digital age. While many IT administrators have their preferred methods and tools for providing IT security, relying solely on personal preferences can leave businesses at serious risk. IT compliance frameworks are designed to mitigate this risk by providing well-researched and developed guidelines to ensure that IT security is addressed effectively and comprehensively. In this article, we will explore some common IT compliance options suitable for Australian businesses and recommend a solid starting point for those looking to strengthen their IT security posture.

1. Understanding Compliance
Options for IT Security
IT security is a critical aspect of business operations in today’s
digital age. While many IT administrators have their preferred
methods and tools for providing IT security, relying solely on
personal preferences can leave businesses at serious risk. IT
compliance frameworks are designed to mitigate this risk by
providing well-researched and developed guidelines to ensure
that IT security is addressed effectively and comprehensively. In
this article, we will explore some common IT compliance options
suitable for Australian businesses and recommend a solid
starting point for those looking to strengthen their IT security
posture.
Common Compliance Options for Australian Businesses
There are several IT compliance frameworks that Australian
businesses can choose from, depending on their specific needs
and industry requirements. Some of the common options
include:
1. Essential Eight: Developed by the Australian Cyber
Security Centre (ACSC), the Essential Eight framework
provides a baseline of security measures to mitigate the risk
of cyberattacks. It is divided into three maturity levels, with
Level 1 being the most basic and Level 3 the most
advanced.
2. ISO/IEC 27001: An international standard that provides a
systematic approach to managing sensitive company
information through the implementation of an Information
Security Management System (ISMS).
3. NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): Developed bythe
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this
framework provides guidelines for managing and reducing
cybersecurity risk.

2. Why Other Compliance Frameworks Can Be Challenging for
Mid-Sized Companies
Deploying comprehensive compliance frameworks, such as
NIST CSF, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, or HIPAA can be challenging
for mid-sized companies for several reasons:
 Complexity: These
frameworks can be
highly complex, with
numerous controls
and guidelines to
follow. For instance,
ISO/IEC 27001
consists of 114
controls, GDPR has
99 articles, and
NIST CSF comprises 108 subcategories. Implementing and
managing these frameworks can be overwhelming and
time-consuming for mid-sized companies with limited
resources and smaller IT teams.
 Cost: Implementing advanced compliance frameworks
often comes with significant costs, including technology
investments, consulting fees, and employee training. These
costs may be prohibitive for mid-sized companies with
budget constraints.
 Customization: Tailoring comprehensive compliance
frameworks to suit an organization’s specific needs can be
a complex process. Mid-sized companies may lack the in-
house expertise or resources needed to effectively
customize these frameworks, resulting in suboptimal
security measures or non-compliance.
The Essential Eight Level 1: A Strong Foundation
The Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework developed by
the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) that provides a

3. baseline of security measures organizations should implement
to mitigate the risk of cyberattacks. The framework is divided into
three maturity levels, with Level 1 being the most basic and Level
3 the most advanced.
The simplicity, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and focus on key
security measures make the Essential Eight Level 1 a practical
and attainable option for mid-sized companies with limited
resources or expertise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Essential Eight framework, with its three
maturity levels, provides a scalable and adaptable approach to
IT security and compliance for Australian companies. Level 1
focuses on basic security controls that establish a strong
foundation, while Level 2 introduces additional measures such
as application control, blocking of malicious web content, and
automated patch management. Level 3 further enhances
security by implementing advanced monitoring, threat hunting,
and incident response capabilities. By starting with Level 1 and
gradually progressing through the levels as their security needs
evolve, Australian businesses can effectively address the
challenges posed by more complex frameworks and work
towards a secure and compliant future.