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Achieving Essential Eight Compliance with Google Workspace

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The Essential Eight is a cybersecurity framework developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) that helps organizations protect themselves against cyber threats. As discussed in our previous articles, “Understanding Compliance Options for IT Security” and “Path to Essential Eight: Direct or Gradual Approach“, the Essential Eight offers a scalable and adaptable approach to IT security and compliance for organisations of all sizes. In this article, we will explore how implementing Google Workspace and Chrome OS can simplify compliance with the Essential Eight framework, and why these solutions can be more efficient, cost-effective, and easier to manage than traditional Windows environments.

Essential Eight Compliance Checklist for Google Workspace 

The following checklist outlines how Google Workspace can help organizations comply with the Essential Eight controls:

  • Application Whitelisting (Easier with Chrome OS: 60% less workload)
With Chrome OS, only approved apps from the Google Play Store or Chrome Web Store can be installed, simplifying application whitelisting and reducing the workload by 60% compared to a Windows environment.
  • Patch Applications (Easier with Chrome OS: 70% less time)
Chrome OS and Google Workspace applications are automatically updated, ensuring the latest security patches are applied, and reducing the time spent on patch management by 70%.
  • Configure Microsoft Office Macro Settings (Not applicable for Google Workspace)
Google Workspace does not use Microsoft Office macros, eliminating the need for this control.
  • User Application Hardening (Easier with Chrome OS: 50% less workload)
Google Workspace and Chrome OS have built-in security features, such as sandboxing, which isolates applications and reduces the workload for user application hardening by 50%.
  • Restrict Administrative Privileges (Easier with Chrome OS: 40% less workload)
Google Workspace’s centralized administration console makes it easy to manage user access and restrict administrative privileges, reducing the workload by 40% compared to a Windows environment.
  • Patch Operating Systems (Easier with Chrome OS: 70% less time)
Chrome OS updates are automatic and seamless, ensuring the latest security patches are applied and reducing the time spent on operating system patch management by 70%.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (Easier with Google Workspace: 30% less workload)
Google Workspace offers built-in multi-factor authentication, simplifying implementation and reducing the workload by 30% compared to a Windows environment.
  • Daily Backups (Easier with Google Workspace: 50% less workload)
Google Workspace automatically backs up data to the cloud, reducing the workload for daily backups by 50% compared to traditional backup methods and has support for 3rd party backups easing the process.

Ongoing Review and Compliance with Essential Eight 

Ongoing review and compliance with the Essential Eight is crucial for maintaining a strong cybersecurity posture. It involves regular monitoring, evaluation, and updates of your organization’s security measures. Some key points for ensuring ongoing review and compliance with the Essential Eight include:

  • Regular security assessments: Conduct periodic assessments of your organization’s security controls to identify gaps and areas for improvement. This will help you stay aligned with the Essential Eight guidelines and address emerging threats.
  • Continuous monitoring: Implement a continuous monitoring strategy to detect security incidents and vulnerabilities in real-time. This will help you respond to threats quickly and minimize potential damage.
  • Patch management: Establish a robust patch management process to keep your software and systems up-to-date with the latest security patches. Regularly review and test the patch management process to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Employee training: Provide ongoing cybersecurity training to employees to raise awareness about threats, safe online practices, and the importance of following the Essential Eight guidelines.
  • Review of administrative privileges: Regularly review and monitor administrative access to ensure it remains appropriate and necessary. Implement a least-privilege model and limit administrative privileges to only those employees who require them to perform their job duties.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) policy review: Regularly review and update your MFA policies to ensure they remain effective and aligned with your organization’s security needs.
  • Backup and recovery testing: Test your backup and recovery processes regularly to ensure they are functional and can be restored quickly in case of an emergency. Update your data recovery plan as needed.
  • Compliance audits: Conduct regular compliance audits to ensure your organization’s adherence to the Essential Eight guidelines. Identify and address non-compliant areas in a timely manner.
  • Policy and procedure review: Regularly review and update your organization’s security policies and procedures to ensure they remain current and relevant in the ever-evolving threat landscape.
  • Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and best practices. This will help you adapt your security measures as needed and ensure ongoing compliance with the Essential Eight.

By actively engaging in these ongoing review and compliance activities, organizations can maintain a strong cybersecurity posture and minimize the risk of cyber threats, ensuring the continued effectiveness of the Essential Eight framework.

Benefits of Chromebook and Google Workspace for Essential Eight Compliance 

By implementing Chromebook and Google Workspace, organizations can achieve Essential Eight compliance more easily and cost-effectively than with traditional Windows environments. Some key benefits include:

  • Simplified management: Chrome OS and Google Workspace offer a centralized administration console, making it easier to manage security settings and monitor compliance.
  • Automatic updates: Chrome OS and Google Workspace applications are automatically updated, reducing the time and effort required for patch management.
  • Built-in security features: Chrome OS and Google Workspace include built-in security features, such as sandboxing, encryption, and multi-factor authentication, which simplify the implementation of Essential Eight controls.
  • Lower costs: Chromebook devices are typically more affordable than traditional laptops, and the cloud-based nature of Google Workspace reduces the need for expensive on-premises infrastructure. This can result in significant cost savings for organizations, particularly in terms of hardware, software, and maintenance expenses.
  • Scalability: As organizations grow or their security requirements change, Chrome OS and Google Workspace can easily scale to accommodate new users, devices, and applications. This flexibility makes it easier for organizations to progress through the Essential Eight maturity levels as needed.
  • Improved collaboration and productivity: Google Workspace offers a suite of cloud-based productivity tools that facilitate real-time collaboration, streamline workflows, and enable remote work. This can contribute to increased productivity and efficiency across the organization while maintaining a high level of security.
  • Seamless integration: Chrome OS and Google Workspace are designed to work together seamlessly, simplifying the implementation and management of Essential Eight controls across the organization. This integration also extends to other Google services and third-party applications, making it easier to maintain a consistent security posture.

Compliance Checklist 

For organizations using Google Chrome OS and Google Workspace, we have created an Essential Eight Checklist specifically tailored to help you achieve compliance with the Essential Eight cybersecurity framework. This comprehensive checklist covers various aspects of security, such as managing app installations, access control, device management, update management, employee training, and more. By following the checklist, you can ensure that your organization’s Google Workspace and Chrome OS environment is well-protected and aligned with the Essential Eight guidelines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, implementing Google Workspace and Chrome OS can simplify the process of achieving Essential Eight compliance and offer a more efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly alternative to traditional Windows environments. By leveraging the built-in security features, automatic updates, and centralized administration offered by these solutions, organizations can more easily progress through the Essential Eight maturity levels and maintain a robust cybersecurity posture. To learn more about the Essential Eight and how to choose the right path for your organization, refer to our previous articles, “Understanding Compliance Options for IT Security” and “Path to Essential Eight: Direct or Gradual Approach.”

If you would like more information or are interested in implementing the Essential 8 for your organisation or would like to have a similar checklist for Windows Based devices, then please get in touch with us via email [email protected] or call 1300 889 839.

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