In today’s digital landscape, cybersecurity is paramount, especially for those organizations seeking to engage with the Australian Defence Industry. The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) sets stringent eligibility criteria to ensure that entities can securely handle sensitive information. One critical aspect of DISP eligibility is aligning with the Essential Eight Maturity Level Two. At CSP, we have helped many organizations successfully achieve DISP status and are very familiar with the process and what is required of your ICT system.
From Q3 2024, the requirements have changed and level two of ACSC’s Essential Eight is now the standard that must be met. This means additional services, technology, and skillsets are required to ensure you comply. There is also a rigorous process that we follow to ensure the quality of your assessment is high which significantly increases your chances of a successful application.
Essential Eight Assessment Process Guide | Cyber.gov.au
Understanding DISP Eligibility
To be eligible for DISP membership, organizations must meet several criteria, including:
- Legal and Financial Requirements: Be registered as a legal business entity in Australia with an Australian Business Number (ABN) and be financially solvent
- Personnel Security: Have a Director or senior executive who can obtain an Australian Personnel Security Clearance and an Australian Digital ID
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Security Standards: Establish and maintain security standards appropriate for the requested level of membership
- Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI): Assess and declare any risks related to foreign control or influence
Aligning with Essential Eight Maturity Level Two
The Essential Eight, developed by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD), provides a set of baseline mitigation strategies to protect against cyber threats. Maturity Level Two focuses on defending against more sophisticated threats. Here are the steps to align your IT with this level:
- Application Control: Implement application whitelisting to ensure only approved applications can run on your systems. This prevents the execution of malicious software
- Patch Management: Regularly patch applications and operating systems to fix vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers
- User Application Hardening: Configure applications to block or restrict risky features, such as macros in Microsoft Office, to reduce the attack surface
- Restrict Administrative Privileges: Limit administrative privileges to only those users who need them and regularly review these privileges
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA to add an extra layer of security for user authentication
- Regular Backups: Ensure regular backups of critical data and systems are performed and stored securely
- Continuous Monitoring: Use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools to continuously monitor your IT environment for suspicious activities
- Incident Response Planning: Develop and regularly update incident response plans to ensure quick and effective responses to cyber incidents
Conclusion
Achieving DISP eligibility and aligning with Essential Eight Maturity Level Two is a significant step towards enhancing your organization’s cybersecurity posture. By partnering with CSP and following our tried and tested method for gaining DISP status, you can better protect your IT systems from advanced threats and demonstrate your commitment to maintaining robust cybersecurity practices.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information, you can refer to the DISP eligibility and suitability page and the Essential Eight Maturity Model.
Would you like any additional info or specific details regarding our DISP services? If so, please contact us here: