By activating the Virtual Operator feature in the NMIS opConfig module, IT managers can empower their team to proactively address common network issues, ensuring optimal performance, security, and compliance.

The virtual operator can:

• Troubleshoot common issues automatically. No more sifting through logs or waiting for expert assistance. They can diagnose and resolve common network problems instantly.
• Always follow best practice procedures for network security. Because they follow a script that you create, compliance with industry standards and regulations is pre-defined by you, removing human error and leaving you confident in your network’s safety.
• Help your team move from reactive to proactive network management. Reduce errors, increase performance, and free up valuable time for strategic initiatives.

The Evolution of Network Operations – from Manual to Virtual

The landscape of network operations has been undergoing a radical transformation.

Traditionally, managing networks involved a predominantly manual approach, relying heavily on human expertise and intervention to address issues, configure devices, and ensure optimal performance. Human error, time-consuming processes, and the inability to scale effectively in the face of growing network complexity posed significant challenges to traditional network management practices.

In the past decade, network monitoring and management platforms have become more intelligent, with advances in big data providing greater insights into a network environment, how and when it is accessed, what devices are used and when, which services are performing optimally, and which services are degrading.

According to the Gartner Market Guide to Network Automation, while more than 65% of enterprise networking activities are performed manually across SME’s, a growing percentage of large enterprises automate more than half of their network activities.

Firstwave Cloud Technology has been at the forefront of this new era of machine intelligence, gathering and analysing network data to provide advanced anomaly detection and predictive analytics that allows operators to proactively manage infrastructure and devices to ensure a healthy and predictable network environment.

With the introduction of the Virtual Operator, this machine intelligence goes a level deeper, allowing the NMIS platform to take action on insights and allowing operators to script a series of activities that the operator can perform at the touch of a button.

This article delves more deeply into the concept of the Virtual Operator, exploring its benefits and potential impact on an organisation’s network automation strategy.  We will examine how automation, through the implementation of a Virtual Operator, is reimagining network administration, driving efficiency, enhancing security, and unlocking new levels of performance and insights.

What is the Virtual Operator?

The Virtual Operator, is a software agent designed to automate repetitive tasks, optimise network performance, and provide intelligent insights. It functions as a rule-based engine that learns from historical data, network configurations, and best practices, allowing it to make informed decisions and take proactive actions to maintain network stability and efficiency.

Think of a Virtual Operator as a highly specialised AI assistant tailored for network administration. It acts like an extension of the network team, taking on the mundane and repetitive tasks, freeing up human engineers to focus on more strategic and complex challenges.

Benefits of implementing a Virtual Operator

The implementation of a Virtual Operator offers several key benefits to network administration teams:

1. Human Resource Optimisation

By automating routine tasks, the Virtual Operator can free up engineers to focus on more strategic and complex challenges. This shift allows teams to maximise human talent, enabling them to tackle innovation, problem-solving, and the implementation of new technologies.

2. Improved Network Efficiency and Performance

The Virtual Operator in conjunction with the broader opConfig and opEvents module can continuously monitor network performance, identify potential issues, and proactively take corrective actions. This pre-emptive approach ensures optimal network performance, minimising downtime, and maximising resource utilisation.

3. Enhanced Security and Compliance

The Virtual Operator can implement and enforce security policies, detect anomalies, and respond to security threats in real-time. This automated approach strengthens network security, improves compliance with industry regulations, and reduces the risk of security breaches.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

Virtual Operators leverage vast amounts of network data to gain valuable insights and optimise network configurations. These insights empower network teams to make informed decisions based on real-time data, leading to more effective resource allocation and network optimisation.

Use Case:  Managed Service Providers

Managed Service Providers (MSPs) often manage multiple client networks simultaneously. This can be a resource-intensive task, particularly when dealing with routine maintenance and troubleshooting. The Virtual Operator offers a solution to this challenge by automating many of the routine tasks that MSPs typically perform.

For example, a MSP can use the Virtual Operator to automate the process of applying security patches across multiple client networks. The Virtual Operator can execute the necessary commands to apply the patches, run tests to ensure that the patches have been applied correctly, and report any issues that arise. This not only reduces the workload for the MSP’s engineers but also ensures that the patches are applied consistently and without errors.

Use Case: Hybrid Networks

The Virtual Operator simplifies the management of hybrid networks by automating the tasks required to maintain connectivity and performance.

For example, the Virtual Operator can automatically adjust network configurations to optimise performance as workloads shift between on-premise and cloud environments. It can also monitor network traffic for potential issues and make adjustments in real-time to prevent disruptions. This level of automation ensures that hybrid networks operate smoothly and efficiently, even as conditions change .

How Businesses can expand their Network Automation beyond the Virtual Operator

The adoption of the Virtual Operator for network administration presents a key stepping stone towards the future of network automation for IT teams.  How can a business expand the effectiveness of Virtual Operator and what new developments can we expect to see as network automation technology further evolves?

1. Increased Automation and Self-Healing Networks

Use of the Virtual Operator alongside other modules such as opEvents, opTrend and Open-Audit will drive further automation in network management, eventually enabling self-healing networks that can identify and resolve issues without human intervention. This will lead to more resilient, reliable, and efficient network infrastructure.

2. Enhanced Network Intelligence and Analytics

The use of the Virtual Operator to routinely check network health will play a critical role in advancing network intelligence, enabling teams to gain deeper insights into network performance, security threats, and user behaviour. This will empower teams to make more informed decisions and proactively optimise their networks.

3. Evolution of Network Administration Roles

Eventually, the use of network automation tools such as the Virtual Operator will transform the role of network administrators and engineers, shifting their focus from routine tasks to more strategic and creative activities. They will become more involved in AI model development and instructional writing, data analysis, and the design of intelligent network solutions.

Conclusion

The Virtual Operator represents a significant step forward in network automation, leveraging the power of AI to enhance network performance, optimise operations, and free up human resources for more strategic tasks. As AI and automation continue to advance, features like the Virtual Operator will play an increasingly crucial role in enabling more intelligent, efficient, and resilient network infrastructure.

Reference:

Gartner 2023 Market Guide to Network Automation

https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4913231

Download Open-AudIT

Go to open-audit.org to download the latest version. Select the Linux or Windows option, and download the binary.

Open-AudIT is installed on-premises. You can also use the FirstWave Virtual Machine if you prefer, and get all the FirstWave monitoring applications installed and ready to use.

How to install for Windows

Prerequisites

• For Windows, the following distributions are supported (64-bit only):
  • Windows Server 2016 and up.
• If you don’t already have NMAP, go to nmap.org to download the latest NMAP binary. Right-click the downloaded .exe file, select Run as Administrator, and run the installation wizard with default installation settings applied.
• If you don’t already have it, install the latest Visual C runtime.
• Windows 10 and 11 are not supported for Open-AudIT Server (they are fine as discovered machines).

Installing for SUSE? Get installation details here.

Claim your free licences

• Open your web browser, navigate to http://YOUR_SERVER/open-audit/, and log in.
• Fill out the form at http://YOUR_SERVER/open-audit/index.php/configuration/license_string to activate your free 20-device professional licence.

Add your credentials

Open-AudIT can handle a variety of credential types, including the standard SNMP, Windows, and SSH types.

• In the Open-AudIT dashboard, navigate to Discover > Credentials > Create Credentials.
• Add your credential details and click Submit.
• Repeat this process as many times as needed to add your desired device credentials to Open-AudIT.

If you don’t have the credentials for a device on your network you will still see the device in Open-AudIT, but data retrieval will be limited.

Now, you can add a discovery!

Start discovering

• From the Open-AudIT dashboard, navigate to Discover > Discoveries > Create Discoveries.
• Add a name and the subnet for your discovery. Typically most users use a /24 network ,e.g. 192.168.1.0/24.
• Click the Execute button on the discovery details page.
• Click the Refresh button at any time to update the logs as the discovery progresses.
• Repeat this process as many times as needed to add all desired discoveries.
• On the Discoveries dashboard, you’ll now see all your listed devices. To view detailed information on a discovered device, navigate to Manage > Devices > List Devices.
• Click the eye icon under the Details column for any device to explore the extensive data Open-AudIT has collected for it.

After adding your credentials and running your discoveries, you’ll notice your home dashboard now displays a variety of charts that give you deeper insights into your network.

Done!

Want a visual run-through? You can watch the entire process in more detail below.

Happy discovering!

Learn more about Open-AudIT

Open-AudIT YouTube playlist

Open-AudIT Community Wiki

Chat to our Support team

In managing computer networks, keeping services running and minimizing disruptions is crucial. One important way to measure how well network managers and operators handle problems is through Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR).

So, What is Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR)?

MTTR is a key performance indicator used in network management to quantify the average time it takes to resolve a network issue or outage from the moment it is detected.

This metric encompasses the entire process, from initial problem identification (when a device such as a router, switch, or server goes down or starts experiencing issues) through to the restoration of normal service. MTTR is calculated by taking the total time spent on resolving all incidents within a specific period and dividing it by the number of incidents.

In simpler terms, MTTR provides a clear picture of how long your network is out of action during a typical incident and how quickly your team can bring everything back to normal. It’s a reflection of the efficiency and effectiveness of your incident response processes.

Why MTTR Matters for Network Managers and Operators

MTTR is more than a mere number; it serves as a direct indicator of the health of your network management practices. Here’s why it’s so crucial:

1. Minimizing Downtime: Networks are the backbone of any organization, and every minute of network downtime can result in lost productivity, customer dissatisfaction, and revenue loss. MTTR helps network managers understand how quickly they can respond to and resolve issues, thus minimizing downtime and its associated impacts.
2. Operational Efficiency: A lower MTTR indicates a streamlined, efficient response process. It reflects well on the team’s capability to detect, diagnose, and fix issues quickly. This significantly enhances the network’s reliability, instilling a heightened level of confidence and bolstering the team’s reputation within the organization.
3. Customer Satisfaction (this is the most imporant one): In today’s fast-paced digital environment, customers expect near-instantaneous service. A quick resolution time keeps customers happy by ensuring that disruptions are brief and service is restored promptly.
4. Resource Management: MTTR can also help in assessing how effectively resources are being used during incident response. A consistently high MTTR might indicate bottlenecks or inefficiencies that need to be addressed, such as outdated tools or a lack of adequate training for the team.

What is a Good MTTR?

The definition of a “good” MTTR can vary depending on the industry, the complexity of the network, and the nature of the incidents. However, there are some general benchmarks that network managers can consider:

• Industry Standards: In many industries, a good MTTR is typically under 4 hours. However, for high-stakes environments, such as financial services or healthcare, MTTR might need to be even lower, often measured in minutes.
• Historical Performance: Your historical data is a great baseline. If your average MTTR has been 6 hours, bringing it down to 4 hours could be a significant improvement. The key is consistent improvement over time.
• SLAs and Customer Expectations: Service Level Agreements (SLAs) often dictate the acceptable MTTR for your organization. These agreements are usually based on customer expectations, which can vary greatly. Meeting or exceeding these SLAs should be the target.
• Comparative Analysis: Look at similar organizations within your industry. Benchmarking against peers can provide insight into where your MTTR stands and what might be achievable.

Conclusion

MTTR stands as a critical measure that network managers and operators need to monitor and improve. It acts as a clear signal of how rapidly your team can recover from network issues, affecting everything from operational efficiency to customer satisfaction. By aiming for a reduced MTTR, network teams are not only able to improve their service reliability but also bolster their overall network management approach. Ultimately, a successful MTTR is one that meets or surpasses your organization’s and its customers’ expectations, while continually striving for quicker and more effective resolutions.

Quick Guide: How to Get Secure Traffic Management With NMIS

Streamline your traffic management and boost your network efficiency with our easy step-by-step guide to using Secure Traffic Manager with NMIS.

In September 2023, FirstWave acquired a company called Saisei, including its flagship platform, Secure Traffic Manager (STM), for network traffic shaping and deep packet inspection.

This tool is a powerful way for telcos and large enterprises to monitor and manage network traffic, allowing certain applications or services to have greater Quality of Service (QoS) than others.

There are several benefits to using STM:

• Prevent bandwidth hogs with fair use host equalization
• Save on bandwidth costs without impacting customer experience
• Optimise streaming, even during peak times
• Prevent OS updates and other low-priority traffic from negatively impacting your network
• Always-on solution providing key metrics for proactive management and reduction in Mean Time to Innocence
• Security augmentation

Using STM with FirstWave’s open-source network management solution, NMIS, gives you full visibility and control over this traffic so you can set rules to automate traffic management, orchestrate alerts, and more.

This quick guide’ll show you how to monitor your Saisei STM appliance with NMIS.

Install NMIS

First, ensure that NMIS is installed and configured properly in your environment. Follow the installation instructions provided by FirstWave here. FirstWave offers a 20-node free license to get you started.

Configure SNMP on your STM appliance

Enable SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) on your STM appliance. Configure SNMP settings such as community strings and SNMP versions according to your security policies and requirements.

Add STM appliance to NMIS

In NMIS, add the STM appliance as a device to be monitored. You’ll need to provide the IP address or hostname of the STM appliance, SNMP community strings, and any other necessary authentication details.

Configure monitoring parameters

Specify which parameters and metrics you want to monitor on the STM appliance. This could include things like bandwidth usage, network traffic, or CPU and memory utilization.

Set up thresholds and alerts

Define threshold levels for monitored parameters to trigger alerts when certain conditions are met. This allows you to proactively manage and respond to potential issues on the STM appliance.

Test monitoring

Once configured, test your monitoring setup to ensure NMIS is successfully collecting data from the STM appliance and that alerts are working as expected.

Schedule regular maintenance

Periodically review and update your monitoring configuration as needed. This ensures that your monitoring remains effective as your network and infrastructure evolve over time.

That’s it! Now you can get all the benefits of STM combined with all the benefits of NMIS. Throughout this process, you can refer to FirstWave documentation for specific guidance on integrating STM appliances with NMIS.

Need further assistance? Reach out to the FirstWave support team.

Table of Contents

• Internet of Things Systems and Applications
• IoT Use Cases
• Traditional Enterprise Applications
• IoT Applications
• Types of IoT Systems
• Monitoring IoT Systems
• Managing Things with NMIS
• Wrapping up
• Learn More

Internet of Things Systems and Applications

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is increasing, largely driven by the value seen by organizations in the application of these technologies to reduce costs, access more information, improve actionable insights, reduce downtime, improve customer experience, better manage risk, create new revenue streams, and much more. For many organizations, new applications of IoT are compelling; many organizations already use IoT and are looking to integrate IoT into their existing production network.

Enterprise Management Associates (EMA) research paper titled “Network Management Megatrends 2022: Navigating Multi-Cloud, IoT, and NetDevOps During a Labor Shortage, April 2022” indicated that of those organizations represented in the research, 96% were expecting to or were already connecting IoT devices to the corporate network. All the companies were making significant investments in networking and network monitoring technologies to handle increased demand for IoT.

For many people who have worked in IT, especially in networking for a while, IoT isn’t that new. The IP and storage networks, server clusters, mobile devices, etc., are smart devices that make data available to verify their operation. IT professionals have been using data to improve outcomes for decades.

However, IoT is a bit different. The use cases and IoT applications differ from traditional use cases and applications. Typically, IoT applications have a fundamentally different purpose and operate differently than traditional applications. The focus is on obtaining the necessary data and making it available for reporting, dashboards, real-time alerting, and longer-term analytics, including AI/ML.

IoT Use Cases

It’s virtually impossible to list all the types of IoT systems in use today, and new ones are emerging all the time. Manufacturing, logistics, retail, health, and many other sectors have been using IoT technologies for years. As sensors and networks become more robust and cheaper to produce and maintain, more use cases will arise. Here are some of the interesting ones encountered recently:

• Mine vehicle air quality
• Remote weather stations, including lightning strikes
• Soil moisture monitoring
• Livestock water trough monitors
• Moisture detection in buildings

Traditional Enterprise Applications

A traditional enterprise application would include a user accessing an application via their PC/mobile. This application likely has a frontend, application logic, and a database. It could be running on one or more servers or using microservices, containers, and databases. This could be a SaaS offering or could be hosted in the organization’s data center.

Typically, in an enterprise application, data is created by users (data entry). Users will also view the data for reporting, analysis, and to support business processes.

IoT Applications

In an IoT system, you’ll find collectors/sensors, the network/transport, and an application that processes all the data and provides a user interface for users to access the data.

The differences between a traditional and IoT application include:

• The network may not be end-to-end IP
• No data entry by users

In a non-IP IoT application, a device sends packets over a network to a backend application for processing. The network may NOT be IP. Communication is often one-way; polling devices isn’t possible. Eventually, packets are sent over IP and reach the servers used by the IoT application. Users aren’t involved in data entry; they access the IoT application for dashboards, analytics, etc.

Types of IoT Systems

Now that we’ve established we can monitor and manage an IoT system, how should we categorize them? The following are the main four types of IoT systems we see:

To collect data from an IoT System, we can further categorize how and where we’ll get the data. The following methods are possible:

Monitoring IoT Systems

We can now compare the types of IoT devices to the methods available to determine the best way to monitor the device:

This is a summary of how various IoT systems work, and there are many more variations, but most will fit this model. For example, many home IoT devices use IP but only communicate with the cloud application. It’s not possible to make local requests for data, while other home IoT devices support both.

The result is that NMIS can get data directly from the IoT device or from the IoT application, or it can listen for events using opEvents. If NMIS doesn’t already support your IoT application, it can be easily adapted using the modeling system and/or plugins.

Managing Things with NMIS

Now that we’ve identified the types of devices NMIS can manage, we can determine the best way to manage each of them in NMIS.

Smart IoT – Smart Cameras

Getting data from Smart IoT devices with NMIS is straightforward. The best option is to use SNMP to collect the data and have the device configured to send any SNMP traps and/or syslog to the NMIS server.

For example, while working with a large enterprise in the USA, the implementation team in the US assisted with the creation of an NMIS model that collected data from the Axis security cameras in use.

The focus of this work was to ensure all cameras were online and functioning. The goals for the IoT monitoring included:

• ICMP Ping to confirm reachability, packet loss, and response time of the devices
• sysUpTime poll to detect “Node Reboot”
• Current OS version
• Video Signal Status
• Traffic transmitted and received by the camera
• HTTP/HTTPS service/server operating and returning data
• Storage status (storage disruption detected)
• Temperature sensors

AXIS provides a public MIB file, which you can download here.

With access to a camera and the MIB file, it’s straightforward to complete the NMIS model and have NMIS collect this data.

Because of the proprietary nature of this work, these models haven’t been released publicly. If you’re interested in monitoring AXIS cameras, please contact the FirstWave team.

Monitoring Weather with IoT Over IP to the Cloud

IoT sensors provide many benefits by increasing available data and the amount of information and knowledge that can be derived. Monitoring the weather offers several advantages, including the ability to correlate weather events with network events. These events could be correlated by opEvents and provide the true root cause of outages.

Netatmo produces a robust solution for weather monitoring. This is consumer-grade but suitable for businesses to monitor the weather at any location they choose. The principles applied with Netatmo would work equally well with other cloud-based IoT solutions, whether they’re for weather or another IoT sensor.

The result is that you can see the weather information for that location in opCharts and NMIS and include it in any dashboards you require.

The flow of data is that the sensor collects the weather data and uploads it to the Netatmo servers on their backend. NMIS then polls the Netatmo API periodically to collect the needed weather metrics.

Once you sign up for a Netatmo developer account, you can create your credentials and API keys, then set up a model and plugin to collect the data. The flow of data in NMIS looks like this:

The Netatmo plugin is available on GitHub.

The Netatmo plugin provides an example of how to structure your model and plugin, including necessary configuration information. This example uses an IoT over IP system, but this method would work equally well with:

• IoT over mobile
• IoT over low energy network

With this example, you should be able to create your own plugin to talk to an IoT over IP device. Equally, the FirstWave team would be happy to assist you in getting visibility of your IoT system.

Network Devices with Controllers or Element Managers

There are many products available now that connect to the IP network and may be locally managed, but the technology solution includes a controller. Examples include:

• Wireless access points
• SDN WAN Routers
• Other SDN solutions
• Transmission networks with Element managers

While we don’t consider these technologies IoT, they work similarly. Depending on the technology, the solution would be like Smart IoT or IoT over IP, while transmission networks using Element managers would be like IoT over mobile.

NMIS already includes support for many vendors like these. For more information, contact your FirstWave representative.

Wrapping up

Now we have some definitions for the types of IoT applications and how we can communicate with the application.

Establish which type of IoT application it is:

• Smart IoT
• IoT over IP
• IoT over mobile
• IoT over low energy network

Then we determine how we can collect the data:

• Bi-directional comms
• Direct Polling
• Application Polling
• Events or Messaging

With this information, when we need to monitor an IoT application, we can classify it, understand what’s involved in getting NMIS to collect the data, and make it happen.

Learn More

To find more information about the various features and capabilities in NMIS relevant to what has been discussed, check out the following pages:

• Training Webinar: NMIS Model Creation and Customisation​
• NMIS 9 Collect and Update Plugins
• NMIS9 GitHub repository

In today’s evolving threat landscape, it’s crucial for organizations to prioritize their cyber security measures. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) has developed a set of mitigation strategies known as the “Essential Eight” to assist organizations in bolstering their security posture. These strategies, often referred to as the “strategies to mitigate cybersecurity incidents,” are designed to make it much harder for adversaries to compromise systems and mitigate cybersecurity incidents.

Understanding the Essential Eight Cybersecurity Framework

The Essential Eight is a series of cybersecurity best practices recommended by the ACSC. These strategies are not just random recommendations; they are based on the ACSC’s extensive experience in responding to cyber threats and breaches. The Essential Eight controls are designed to help organizations mitigate cybersecurity incidents by addressing the most common and impactful cyber threats. The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and the Australian government have both emphasized the importance of these eight mitigation strategies.

Why Australian organizations Should Prioritize the Essential Eight

Across Australia, cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated. From ransomware attacks to data breaches, Australian businesses are facing a myriad of challenges. Implementing the Essential Eight cybersecurity strategies can significantly reduce the risk of a successful cyber attack. The ACSC recommends that organizations implement these mitigation strategies as a baseline to protect their valuable assets. In fact, organizations are recommended to implement eight essential mitigation strategies to ensure a robust defense against cyber threats.

Diving Deeper: The Essential Eight Series

1. Application Control: Effective application control ensures that only trusted applications run within an organization’s network. This control restricts the execution of potentially harmful applications, making it much harder for adversaries to introduce malicious software. Using Microsoft and other software securely is paramount.
2. Patch Applications and Operating Systems: Regularly updating software and operating systems with security updates is crucial. Vulnerabilities in outdated software can be exploited by adversaries, leading to potential breaches.
3. Configure Microsoft Office Settings: Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft 365, is widely used throughout Australia. Ensuring that its macro settings are securely configured can prevent malicious code execution.
4. User Application Hardening: This involves securing web browsers and other user applications to prevent cyber threats. For instance, web browsers should be configured not to process Java from the internet or display web advertisements, which can be potential vectors for malware.
5. Restrict Administrative Privileges: Limiting administrative access ensures that potential breaches don’t have widespread implications. This strategy involves validating requests for privileged access and ensuring that privileged accounts have specific limitations.
6. Multi-factor Authentication: Implementing multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security, ensuring that even if passwords are compromised, the adversary can’t access the system without the second authentication factor.
7. Regular Backups: Regularly backing up important data and configuration settings ensures that, in the event of a ransomware attack or data loss, organizations can restore their systems without significant downtime.
8. Mitigation Strategies and Maturity Levels: The Essential Eight Maturity Model provides organizations with a roadmap to assess and improve their implementation of the Essential Eight. With four maturity levels defined, organizations can gauge their current security stance and work towards achieving a higher level of security maturity. These maturity levels have been defined based on mitigating increasing levels of adversary tradecraft.

The Essential Eight Journey for organizations

Every organization’s Essential Eight journey is unique. Starting with an Essential Eight assessment can help organizations identify their current maturity level and the steps needed to enhance their cybersecurity posture. The assessment process is crucial for understanding where an organization stands in terms of its security posture. The ACSC’s Essential Eight series provides a structured approach, guiding organizations from understanding the basics to achieving advanced levels of security implementation.

Understanding the Maturity Models of the Essential Eight

The Essential Eight framework is not just about implementing a set of strategies; it’s about understanding where your organization stands and where it needs to go. This is where the concept of maturity models comes into play. The maturity models associated with the Essential Eight provide a structured approach to assess and enhance a cybersecurity posture.

The Essence of Essential Eight Maturity

The ACSC Essential Eight maturity models are designed to assist organizations in gauging their current security stance and working towards achieving a higher level of security maturity. These models are not static; they are dynamic and evolve as the threat landscape changes and as organizations grow and adapt.

Tiers of Maturity: The Essential Eight Maturity Levels

There are four distinct Essential Eight maturity levels, each representing a progressively more robust implementation of the Essential Eight mitigation strategies. These levels help organizations prioritise their actions and understand the depth and breadth of implementation required:

1. Level One: This is the basic level where an organization has started its Essential Eight journey. The security services and controls implemented at this stage provide a foundational level of protection.
2. Level Two: At this level, the organization has made significant progress, implementing more advanced techniques and procedures to counter threats.
3. Level Three: This is a more advanced stage where the organization has a comprehensive implementation of the Essential Eight security measures, designed to counter sophisticated threats.
4. Level Four: The pinnacle of the Essential 8 maturity model, this level signifies that the organization has achieved a state-of-the-art security posture, capable of defending against the most advanced and persistent threats.

Navigating the Information Security Manual (ISM)

The ISM plays a pivotal role in guiding organizations on their Essential Eight journey. This manual, developed by the Australian government, provides detailed guidance on the number of controls, techniques, and procedures that organizations should implement to achieve a particular maturity level. The ISM is a valuable resource for any compliance manager or end user looking to understand and implement the Essential Eight effectively.

Achieving Your Target Maturity

Every organization should aim to achieve a maturity level that aligns with its risk appetite and the threat environment it operates in. While it might be tempting to aim for Level Four immediately, it’s essential to understand that each level is designed to assist organizations in building a robust security posture progressively. The goal is not just to reach a target maturity but to maintain it and adapt as the threat landscape evolves.

Conclusion: Navigating the Cyber Threat Landscape with the Essential Eight

In the face of an ever-changing cyber threat landscape, Australian organizations must remain vigilant. The Essential Eight offers a robust framework to help organizations mitigate cybersecurity incidents and protect their assets. By understanding and implementing these strategies, organizations can significantly improve their security posture, making it much harder for adversaries to compromise their systems.

Remember,  cybersecurity is not a one-time task but an ongoing process. Regularly reviewing and updating your organization’s adherence to the Essential Eight can ensure you stay ahead of potential threats and maintain a strong security stance in the digital age.

Note: For more detailed guidance on the Essential Eight and other cybersecurity best practices, organizations can refer to the official resources provided by the Australian Cyber Security Centre at cyber.gov.au.