Why Restricting Admin Privileges Is Key to Cybersecurity Compliance with the Essential Eight
When it comes to cybersecurity, the Essential Eight framework is like the seatbelt of your business IT environment — simple, effective, and non-negotiable. One of the most overlooked yet powerful strategies in the framework is restricting administrative privileges. It might sound like a small change, but it can make a massive difference in keeping cyber threats at bay.
What Are Admin Privileges and Why Do They Matter?
Admin privileges give users the power to install software, change configurations, and access sensitive data. Think of it like handing someone the keys to the office — not everyone needs full access, and if those keys end up in the wrong hands, the consequences could be dire.
In our experience at Gray Area Consulting, we’ve seen businesses unknowingly leave the door wide open to cybercriminals just by giving too many staff unrestricted access to systems they don’t need to touch.
What’s the Risk?
Let’s say you’ve got a staff member who installs a dodgy browser extension on their work laptop. If they’ve got admin rights, that extension could run with full access to your network. That’s all it takes for malware or ransomware to spread like wildfire.
We helped a client in Brisbane recently who had experienced just that. A junior team member had downloaded a free PDF converter with hidden malware. Because they had admin rights, the infection made its way into shared drives, disrupting operations for days. Had their access been limited, the threat would’ve been contained to one machine.
The Essential Eight and Admin Privileges
The Essential Eight cybersecurity maturity model, developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), highlights restricting admin privileges as one of its core strategies. It’s based on the simple idea: if users don’t need admin access to do their job, they shouldn’t have it.
This control reduces the attack surface — the places a hacker can get in and do damage. It also makes it easier to track and manage changes within your IT environment.
How to Get It Right
Here’s how we help businesses implement this strategy effectively:
- Audit existing privileges: Start by reviewing who has admin access and whether they really need it.
- Apply the principle of least privilege: Give users only the access they need to perform their role.
- Use role-based access control: Manage access by job function, not individual preference.
- Implement multi-factor authentication: Even admins should prove who they are with more than just a password. Read more on what MFA is and why it matters.
- Regularly review and update access: Roles change, people leave, and systems evolve. Stay on top of who has access to what.
Tools That Help
If you’re running Microsoft 365 or using Intune, you’re in luck. These platforms make it easier to manage permissions and enforce compliance. We cover this in-depth in our article Microsoft Intune: A Smart Move for Business Security and Device Management.
By setting up conditional access, enforcing MFA, and defining user roles, you can reduce admin privileges without sacrificing productivity.
Compliance and Peace of Mind
Restricting admin privileges is also a big tick for compliance. It’s a key requirement for meeting Essential Eight maturity levels, and cyber insurance providers are increasingly expecting it too. If you’re unsure what your insurer expects, check out our guide on top cybersecurity measures required by insurance providers.
Final Word
It’s easy to think giving admin access is a shortcut to getting things done, but in reality, it’s a shortcut to cyber risk. By tightening up who can do what on your network, you’re making a smart move toward better security, smoother IT management, and Essential Eight compliance.
Need help auditing and restricting admin privileges across your systems? Get in touch with us at Gray Area Consulting — we’ll help you sort it without disrupting your team’s workflow.
