The Australian Signals Directorate’s Information Security Manual (ASD-ISM) is a comprehensive cybersecurity framework developed to provide practical guidance for protecting information systems from cyber threats. Published by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), which operates under the ASD, the ISM is primarily intended for use by Australian government departments and agencies. However, it is widely adopted by private organisations as well, particularly those handling sensitive or classified information, as it is considered a leading standard in cybersecurity across the region.
At the heart of the ASD-ISM are controls and recommendations that are both prescriptive and adaptable, covering areas such as access control, network security, system hardening, and incident response. One of the key features of the ISM is its alignment with the ASD’s Essential Eight—eight fundamental mitigation strategies designed to prevent and recover from cyber incidents. These include essential practices like application whitelisting, patching applications, configuring macros, and implementing multi-factor authentication. By following the Essential Eight as a baseline, organisations can effectively reduce their exposure to a wide range of common cyber threats.
The ISM also stresses risk management as a continuous process, requiring organisations to review and update their security controls to reflect changes in their operating environments and emerging threats. Compliance with the ISM entails a rigorous risk assessment approach where organisations must evaluate their systems, assets, and the sensitivity of information to prioritise security measures accordingly. This is reinforced by regular audits and vulnerability assessments, which the ISM suggests as critical practices to identify and rectify security gaps before they can be exploited.
In addition, the ASD-ISM places strong emphasis on incident detection and response, advocating for robust monitoring mechanisms and response strategies that can be quickly activated in the event of a breach. Organisations are encouraged to develop detailed incident response plans and regularly test them to ensure preparedness. By promoting a proactive and systematic approach to information security, the ISM aims to not only protect government and critical infrastructure but also to establish a resilient cybersecurity posture that is capable of adapting to the ever-evolving threat landscape. For both government and private sector entities, adherence to ASD-ISM standards represents a commitment to safeguarding data and maintaining trust in a highly connected digital world.
