DISP Security Control Compliance (SCC): A Practical Approach for Those Seeking DISP Accreditation

Part 1: Implementing the Essential Eight for DISP Cyber Security Compliance

Introduction

The Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) ensures that organisations handling sensitive Defence-related information meet stringent cyber security and information protection standards. DISP accreditation is mandatory for industry partners working with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) or other government departments. Organisations must adhere to the Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF), guided by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

At the heart of DISP’s cyber security requirements is the Essential Eight, a set of eight key mitigation strategies developed by the ACSC to address the most common cyber threats and vulnerabilities. While these controls are a starting point, achieving DISP accreditation necessitates a mature implementation of the Essential Eight. Organisations must implement these strategies at Maturity Levels 2 or 3 to ensure resilience against sophisticated cyber threats such as advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware, and data breaches.

This article outlines a practical approach for implementing the Essential Eight at the required maturity levels, ensuring compliance with DISP’s cyber security standards and laying the foundation for robust, long-term cyber resilience.

1. Understanding the Essential Eight for DISP Compliance

The Essential Eight is a prioritised set of cyber security mitigation strategies designed to help organisations protect their systems and data. These strategies address both the prevention of cyber threats and the mitigation of their impact if they occur. The Essential Eight is grouped into three main categories:

1.1 Preventing Malware Execution

• Application Control: Prevents unauthorised software from executing, ensuring that only trusted applications are run.
• Restricting Microsoft Office Macros: Prevents malicious macros from executing, which is often exploited in phishing and malware attacks.
• User Application Hardening: Focuses on the removal of unnecessary features, hardening applications to mitigate vulnerabilities commonly exploited by cyber attackers.

1.2 Limiting the Impact of Cyber Incidents

• Patching Applications: Ensures vulnerabilities in software applications are patched promptly.
• Patching Operating Systems: Keeps operating systems updated to prevent exploits of known vulnerabilities.
• Restricting Administrative Privileges: Minimises the risk of malicious actors gaining privileged access to systems.

1.3 Ensuring Data Availability & Recovery

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Secures access to systems by requiring additional authentication methods beyond just a password.
• Regular Backups: Ensures data can be recovered in the event of a cyber attack or system failure.

Source: Australian Cyber Security Centre – Essential Eight

Achieving DISP compliance requires organisations to implement the Essential Eight at Maturity Level 2 or 3, which signifies a high level of preparedness and resilience against emerging cyber threats. Organisations must go beyond the basics to create an environment that is secure, adaptive, and compliant.

2. Implementing the Essential Eight for DISP Security Control Compliance

To ensure compliance with DISP’s cyber security standards, the Essential Eight must be implemented effectively across all aspects of an organisation's IT and security practices. Each strategy plays a critical role in protecting sensitive data and systems.

2.1 Application Control

Objective: Prevent the execution of unauthorised applications, reducing the risk of malicious software execution.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Deploy Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker to limit application execution to only approved software.
• Use application whitelisting to ensure that only known, trusted applications can run.
• Enforce code signing policies to ensure that applications are legitimate and free from tampering.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Application control should be enforced at the kernel level, making it impossible for unauthorised applications to execute.
• Maintain a centralised system to approve and manage all applications.

Reference: ACSC – Application Control Guidelines

2.2 Restricting Microsoft Office Macros

Objective: Prevent the exploitation of macros in Office applications, which are commonly used to deliver malicious payloads.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Disable macros by default in all Office applications unless explicitly required and digitally signed.
• Implement Group Policy (GPO) settings to enforce these macro restrictions across the organisation.
• Maintain a whitelist of trusted macro-enabled documents and restrict macro activation to trusted users only.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Ensure that macros are completely disabled for all externally sourced documents.
• Restrict manual macro enabling to authorised personnel only.

Reference: ACSC – Macro Security Guidelines

2.3 User Application Hardening

Objective: Hardening user applications to eliminate common vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Disable Flash, Java, and outdated plugins that are commonly targeted by cyber attackers.
• Enforce TLS 1.2 or higher for secure communications and prevent the use of weaker protocols.
• Implement restrictions on risky features, such as ActiveX controls, which are vulnerable to exploitation.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Ensure that security settings are enforced across all internet-facing applications.
• Enable automatic application updates to ensure vulnerabilities are patched promptly.

Reference: ACSC – User Application Hardening Guidelines

2.4 Patching Applications and Operating Systems

Objective: Ensure that all systems are regularly updated to protect against known vulnerabilities.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Apply patches within 48 hours of release for critical vulnerabilities in both operating systems and applications.
• Use vulnerability scanning tools (such as Nessus or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint) to identify unpatched systems.
• Automate patch deployment wherever possible to ensure timely updates.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Automate patch management to ensure that all critical systems are updated in real time.
• Remove unsupported software from all systems to reduce the attack surface.

Reference: ACSC – Patch Management Guidelines

2.5 Restricting Administrative Privileges

Objective: Minimise the risk of privileged access being exploited by attackers.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Use Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions to control and monitor access to administrative accounts.
• Implement Just-in-Time (JIT) access for privileged users, granting access only when necessary.
• Maintain strict audit logs of all privileged access activities to ensure visibility.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Admin accounts should be isolated from regular user accounts to prevent misuse.
• Privileged access should be tightly controlled and granted only for specific, short-term tasks.

Reference: ACSC – Administrative Privileges Guidelines

2.6 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Objective: Secure access to systems and sensitive data by requiring more than one form of authentication.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Implement MFA for all privileged accounts and ensure remote access is protected.
• Use conditional access policies to enforce MFA based on risk factors, such as location or device.
• Disable legacy authentication methods, such as basic authentication or SMS-based MFA.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Ensure that MFA tokens are encrypted and securely stored to prevent exploitation.
• Monitor login attempts for suspicious behaviour and trigger alerts for anomalies.

Reference: ACSC – MFA Guidelines

2.7 Regular Backups

Objective: Ensure that critical data can be restored in the event of a cyber attack, natural disaster, or system failure.

Implementation for DISP Compliance

• Apply the 3-2-1 Backup Rule (three copies, two different storage types, one offsite).
• Encrypt backups using AES-256 encryption to prevent unauthorized access.
• Regularly test the restoration process to verify that data can be recovered quickly.

Maturity Level 2+ Requirements:

• Make backups immutable to prevent ransomware from encrypting backup files.
• Store backups in a separate, physically secure location to protect them from physical breaches.

Reference: ACSC – Backup Guidelines

Conclusion: Strengthening Cyber Resilience through the Essential Eight for DISP Accreditation

Achieving DISP accreditation is a critical milestone for organisations in the defence sector, ensuring they meet the highest standards of cyber security and protect sensitive Defence information. The Essential Eight provides a strong foundational framework, but to truly meet the rigorous demands of DISP Security Control Compliance (SCC), organisations must implement these strategies at Maturity Level 2 or 3. This not only demonstrates adherence to the Defence Security Principles Framework (DSPF) but also establishes a culture of continuous improvement and resilience in the face of evolving cyber threats.

By properly implementing the Essential Eight, organisations can protect themselves from a range of cyber risks—from ransomware attacks and data breaches to more sophisticated threats such as advanced persistent threats (APTs). The focus on patching, application control, and administrative privilege restrictions forms the backbone of a strong security posture, while multi-factor authentication and regular backups ensure critical data is always available, even in the event of an attack.

The key to DISP compliance lies in integration—these controls must not be treated as isolated tasks, but as interconnected elements of an overall security strategy. By ensuring all aspects of the Essential Eight are implemented, organisations create a cohesive, adaptive cyber defence mechanism. This approach not only helps to pass DISP assessments but also fosters long-term sustainability and security maturity, aligning with the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

However, simply meeting the minimum requirements of the Essential Eight is not enough. Organisations aiming for Level 3 maturity should continually assess their cyber resilience, regularly update their policies, and undergo routine testing to ensure their security systems remain robust against emerging threats. Continuous monitoring, regular penetration testing, and staff training are crucial elements of this ongoing commitment to security.

Furthermore, if your organisation has been assessed at Level 1, it is essential to develop and implement a comprehensive Uplift Action Plan to ensure your practices align with DISP’s Level 2 or 3 requirements. This plan is not just about compliance—it's an opportunity to proactively enhance your cyber security framework, addressing gaps, and ensuring that your organisation is well-prepared for the challenges of tomorrow’s cyber environment.

Ultimately, DISP accreditation is not a one-time achievement, but a journey of continuous improvement in securing Defence-related information. By integrating the Essential Eight, organisations not only strengthen their internal cyber defences but also contribute to the overall resilience of Australia’s national security.

As we move forward in an increasingly digital world, cyber resilience
must be a core value for any organisation involved in the Defence sector. With a strong foundation in the Essential Eight and a commitment to ongoing improvement, organisations can be confident in their ability to meet the challenges posed by modern cyber threats, protect sensitive information, and achieve and maintain DISP accreditation.