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In an effort to strengthen organisational security practices, the Australian government has launched a course to educate people on how to assess their organisation’s adherence to the Essential Eight security controls.
Launched in collaboration with TAFECyber, the Essential Eight Assessment Course “will be a face-to-face three-day course that uses a blend of specialist expertise, knowledge and hands-on technical training”, according to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).
“It will teach participants how to conduct accurate and consistent Essential Eight maturity assessments and practically apply the ACSC’s Essential Eight Assessment Process Guide,” it said.
TAFECyber said that the key targets for the course are “federal, state and local government entities as well as corporate entities with similar technology stacks, and MSPs [that] supply government entities with services”.
Those looking to apply will have to meet the minimum prerequisites, which require participants to have a minimum of a Certificate IV in a technical ICT discipline, a minimum of two years of experience in a technical ICT role, and must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
The course covers 12 modules, including the history of the Essential Eight, how to prevent the execution of malicious software and installers, patching devices with extreme risk vulnerabilities and the maintenance and retention of data, just to name a few.
Those who complete the course will receive a “certificate of completion of the ACSC Essential Eight Assessment Course”, a qualification endorsed by the ACSC on behalf of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).
Initially piloted at the Canberra Institute of Technology, Reid, the new course comes at a time where more than ever, Australian organisations need to bolster their defences against cyber threats, according to Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor.
“As we’ve witnessed in recent times, there is a critical need to better equip Australian organisations to protect themselves from the constantly evolving threats in the murky world of cyber space,” he said.
“Using a blend of specialist expertise and hands-on technical training, this course will give cyber professionals the skills to assess their organisation’s cyber security posture and get in front of threats that inflict significant financial loss and intrusion of personal information.”
The introduction of the Essential Eight Assessment Course recognises the need for a standardised maturity assessment model, with a number of alternate courses already available that mean that the methodologies used by government and industry are inconsistent.
According to TAFECyber, the new course hopes to alleviate this issue.
“The aim of the training course is to ensure there is a broad understanding of the Essential Eight Maturity Model across the government and industry and consistent methodologies are used in the assessment of an organisation’s maturity against the model.”
Cyber Security and Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the introduction of the Essential Eight Assessment Course is key in helping arm Australia and its cyber security professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to make Australia the most cyber secure country in the world.
“In order to meet our aim of being the most cyber secure nation by 2030, we need to develop the skills needed to keep Australia safe,” she said.
“This course will put key cyber security skills in workplaces across our country, making Australian businesses harder targets and making our economy and society more resilient.”
“All Australians need to be aware that their data, and the data they work with, is a valuable asset that we all have a role in protecting. We need to work together to meet this new national security threat.”
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