Do you actually know how protected your business is?
Most business owners trust their IT provider is keeping them safe — but they've never been shown proof. The Essential Eight Scorecard shows you, in plain English, how you measure up to the Australian Government's own standard — your maturity level, what's working, and what's missing. No jargon. No 50-page reports. Just the truth about your cyber security.
In short
What is the Essential Eight Scorecard?
The Essential Eight Scorecard is a plain-English assessment of how well an Australian business is protected against cyber attacks, measured against the Australian Government's Essential Eight framework (published by the Australian Signals Directorate). Run by Otaris in Adelaide, it turns a detailed security audit into a clear maturity level — Level 1, 2 or 3 — so owners can see exactly where they stand and track improvement over time.
Your IT Provider Should Be Answering These Questions
We talk to business owners every week who share the same concern: they're paying for IT support, but they have no idea if they're actually protected. They can't answer basic questions about their own cybersecurity — and neither can their IT provider. That's a problem.
You Don't Know What You're Missing
Most businesses we assess for the first time are missing fundamental cybersecurity protections. Not advanced, expensive systems — basics. Multi-factor authentication, proper access controls, application whitelisting, regular patching. The things that should have been in place years ago. When we assess them against the Essential Eight, most aren't yet meeting even Maturity Level 1.
You Can't Measure What You Can't See
Your current IT provider might tell you "everything's fine" — but how would you know? Without a clear, measurable way to assess your security posture, you're relying on trust alone. And trust without evidence isn't security. It's hope.
You Deserve Proof, Not Promises
Every business owner who pays for IT support has the right to know exactly what they're getting. You shouldn't have to take your provider's word for it. You should be able to see it, measure it, and track it over time.
We Built the Essential Eight Scorecard Because Businesses Needed Answers
When we started working with new customers, we kept finding the same thing: businesses that were paying for IT support but had gaping holes in their cybersecurity. Not because they didn't care — because nobody had ever shown them the truth.
That's why we built the Essential Eight Scorecard around the Australian Government's Essential Eight — the same standard used to protect government agencies and defence organisations. It translates the complexity of cyber security into one thing any business owner can grasp: your maturity level, and how to raise it.
Your score isn't a one-time snapshot. It's a living measurement that rises as we strengthen your defences. Every time we implement a new control, close a vulnerability, or improve a process, your score reflects it. You can see the progress. You can measure the value. And you can make informed decisions about how much protection your business needs based on your budget.
Built on Essential Eight
Your score is measured against the Australian Signals Directorate's cybersecurity framework — the gold standard for Australian businesses.
A Clear Maturity Level
Your level against the Government's own standard (M1–M3). No 50-page reports, no confusing graphs — just an honest picture of where you stand.
Tracked Over Time
Your score is reviewed regularly with your dedicated Account Manager, so you can see exactly how your security is improving.
Choose Your Level
Different plans deliver different scores. You decide how much risk you want to reduce based on what makes sense for your business and budget.
How Your Essential Eight Scorecard Works
From audit to ongoing improvement — five steps that turn cybersecurity from a black box into a number you understand and can act on.
We Audit Your Environment
We perform a thorough review of your IT systems, infrastructure, and security posture — identifying vulnerabilities, gaps, and areas where you're exposed. This isn't a surface-level check. We measure every aspect of your environment against the Essential Eight framework.
We Measure Against Real Frameworks
Your score is built on the Australian Government's Essential Eight — the same cybersecurity framework used to protect government agencies. This isn't an arbitrary number. It's grounded in real, internationally recognised standards that define what "properly protected" actually means.
You Get a Score You Can Understand
No jargon, no 50-page reports, no confusing graphs. Just a clear maturity level (M1–M3) that tells you how protected you are, what's working, and what needs attention. Your Account Manager walks you through it in plain English.
You Choose Your Level of Protection
Different support plans take you to different maturity levels. Fortress reaches Maturity Level 1, Knox Level 2, and Titan the full Level 3. You decide how far up the levels you go, based on your business, your industry and your budget.
We Help You Improve It
Your Essential Eight Scorecard isn't static. As we implement controls, close gaps and strengthen your defences, your maturity level rises. You see the progress during regular account reviews — proof that your investment is working, not just a monthly invoice with no accountability.
Pick the Score That Fits Your Business
Every Otaris support plan includes cybersecurity protections that contribute to your Essential Eight Scorecard. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher your score — and the lower your risk.
- Most popular
Fortress
Essential Eight Maturity Level 1
✓ Compliant · 8 of 8 controls
Small to medium businesses that want reliable IT and strong cyber protection. Adelaide-based service desk, Government-Grade Cyber Protection (Essential 8 ML1), and 24/7 NOC & SOC.
$139/user/monthSee plan details Knox
Essential Eight Maturity Level 2
✓ Compliant · 8 of 8 controls
Everything in Fortress, plus advanced identity protection (Huntress ITDR), enhanced threat detection, and deeper security controls. Ideal for businesses handling sensitive client data or working toward compliance certification.
$179/user/monthSee plan detailsTitan
Essential Eight Maturity Level 3
✓ Compliant · 8 of 8 controls
The highest level of protection. Full Essential Eight compliance at Maturity Level 3 — the standard required for defence industry work and the most security-conscious organisations. Complete coverage, maximum protection, total peace of mind.
$199/user/monthSee plan details
What Happens When You Don't Know Your Score
$56,600
Average cost of a cybercrime report for a small Australian business — up 14% in a year
$80,850
Average for a medium Australian business — up 50% in a single year
84,700+
Cybercrime reports to the Australian Cyber Security Centre in 2024–25 — one every six minutes
The businesses that suffer cyber incidents aren't unlucky — they're unprotected. And most of them didn't know it until it was too late. Their IT provider told them everything was fine, but nobody ever measured it. The Essential Eight Scorecard exists so that you never have to wonder.
Source: ASD Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024–25 — Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)
What It Feels Like to Know Where You Stand
You stop guessing
No more wondering if your IT provider is actually protecting you. You have a number, you understand it, and you can track it over time.
You make informed decisions
Instead of blindly trusting that "everything's fine," you choose your level of protection based on real data, real frameworks, and your real budget.
You can prove your security posture
Whether it's for a client, a compliance audit, or a defence contract, you have a measurable, framework-backed score that demonstrates your commitment to cybersecurity.
You see the value of your investment
Every dollar you spend on cybersecurity is reflected in your rising score. No more paying for IT and hoping it's working.
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Frequently asked questions
Find out where your business really stands.
Book a free 30-minute consultation. We'll talk about your current setup, explain how the Essential Eight Scorecard works, and show you what proper cybersecurity protection looks like — no obligation, no sales pitch.
- 30-minute discovery — no jargon, no pressure
- Plain-English Essential Eight Scorecard
- A clear plan tailored to your business