How to Strengthen Your Business Cybersecurity with Essential 8 and Timely Patch Management
Cybersecurity doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be consistent. At Gray Area Consulting, we regularly see businesses putting themselves at risk—not because they don’t care, but because they don’t know where to start. If that sounds familiar, the Essential 8 framework is a smart place to begin.
Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), the Essential 8 outlines eight strategies to help organisations mitigate cyber threats. One of the most crucial elements? Timely patch management. Let’s unpack what all this means and how it can help protect your business from cyber nasties.
What is the Essential 8?
The Essential 8 is like a first aid kit for your IT environment. It’s not a silver bullet, but it covers the most common and damaging cyber issues—things like ransomware, unauthorised access, and data breaches. The eight controls include:
- Application control
- Patch applications
- Configure Microsoft Office macro settings
- User application hardening
- Restrict administrative privileges
- Patch operating systems
- Multi-factor authentication
- Daily backups
We’ve covered the full breakdown of these strategies in our post How to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Using the Essential 8 Framework. Today, we’re zoning in on two of the most overlooked but game-changing measures: patching applications and operating systems.
Why Timely Patch Management Matters
Imagine you’ve got a lock on your front door, but someone finds a way to pick it. The lock manufacturer issues a fix, but you don’t get around to installing it. That’s essentially what happens when businesses ignore software patches. Hackers are constantly looking for known vulnerabilities, many of which already have a fix available. If you’re not applying those fixes fast enough, you’re leaving the door wide open.
Real Talk: A Quick Anecdote
We recently worked with a small accounting firm in Brisbane. They had a solid firewall and antivirus in place, but hadn’t patched their systems in over six months. One of their older apps had a known vulnerability that was used in a phishing attack. Fortunately, we caught it early, but it was a close call—and it could’ve been avoided with routine patching.
How to Implement Patch Management
So, how do you stay on top of patches without it becoming a full-time job? Here’s a straightforward approach:
- Inventory your systems: Know which applications and operating systems you use, and whether they’re up to date.
- Schedule regular patch cycles: Weekly or fortnightly is ideal, depending on your environment.
- Test before you deploy: Especially for critical business apps. Test patches on a non-production machine first.
- Automate where possible: Tools like Microsoft Intune or Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) can help manage this at scale.
- Track and report: Keep a log of what’s been patched and when. This helps with compliance and audits.
Want to learn more about Microsoft Intune? Check out our article on how it enhances your cybersecurity strategy.
The Role of Managed IT Services
If all of that sounds a bit much, that’s where managed IT services come in. At Gray Area Consulting, we take care of patch management as part of our managed IT plans. Our team monitors, tests, and rolls out updates for you, so you can focus on running your business without worrying about gaps in your security.
How Essential 8 and Patch Management Work Together
Patch management isn’t a standalone task—it’s part of a bigger picture. When paired with other Essential 8 measures like application control and multi-factor authentication, your cybersecurity posture becomes much stronger. Think of it like building a house: patching is the brickwork, while the rest of the Essential 8 is the roof, doors and windows.
Don’t Wait for a Breach
Cybersecurity breaches often feel like something that happens to ‘other’ businesses—until it happens to yours. Being proactive with the Essential 8 and timely patching is a simple but powerful way to reduce your risk. And if you need support, we’re here to help.
Want to know how your current setup stacks up? Start with a cybersecurity risk assessment or reach out to us for a chat.
