Managed IT security · Australia

Managed IT security, built into how your IT is run

Most security incidents in small and mid-sized businesses start with the basics: a reused password, an unpatched laptop, a convincing email. Managed IT security means those basics are configured properly and kept that way, every day, as part of running your IT.

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The idea

Security as part of managed IT, not an extra

Security is not a product you buy once. It is the result of hundreds of small settings: who has admin rights, whether MFA is enforced, how quickly updates are applied, whether backups can actually be restored. When the same team that runs your IT also owns those settings, they stay correct as staff join and leave, devices are replaced and systems change.

That is what managed IT security is: the security layer of our managed IT service, aligned to the ACSC Essential Eight as a practical baseline. It is not a separate security programme with its own reporting cycle. It is how the environment is built and maintained.

What managed IT security covers

Each area is configured during onboarding and then maintained as part of the ongoing service.

Identity and MFA

Multi-factor authentication enforced for every user, admin accounts separated from everyday accounts, conditional access in Microsoft 365, and stale accounts removed.

Device hardening

Laptops and desktops enrolled in management, disk encryption on, local admin rights removed, Office macros restricted and unneeded software blocked.

Patching

Operating systems, browsers and common applications updated on a schedule, with exceptions tracked and old, unsupported systems flagged for replacement.

Email security

SPF, DKIM and DMARC configured, filtering for phishing and malicious attachments, and external sender warnings so staff can spot impersonation attempts.

Backup and recovery

Microsoft 365, servers and key systems backed up, with copies protected from deletion and restores tested on a schedule.

Firewall and network

Firewall rules reviewed and documented, remote access secured, guest Wi-Fi separated and firmware kept current.

Essential Eight alignment

Settings mapped against the eight ACSC strategies, so you can see which are in place and which still need work.

Staff awareness

Plain-language guidance for staff on phishing, payment fraud and reporting suspicious activity, refreshed as the threats change.

Incident handling basics

A short, written plan for what happens if an account is compromised or a device is infected: who to call, what to isolate and how to recover.

How we put it in place

01
Review
During onboarding we review identity, devices, email, backups and the network against the Essential Eight and list the gaps.
02
Prioritise
We agree the order of work with you, starting with the changes that reduce the most risk for the least disruption, usually MFA, admin rights and backups.
03
Implement
Changes are rolled out in stages, tested with a few users first and explained to staff before they arrive.
04
Maintain
Settings are checked as part of regular reviews, so they do not drift as people and devices change.

Managed IT security vs managed cybersecurity

The two overlap. The difference is depth and who the service is designed for.

Managed IT security vs managed cybersecurity
	Managed IT security	Managed cybersecurity
What it is	The security layer of managed IT	A dedicated security service, standalone or co-managed
Who it suits	Businesses that use us for managed IT	Businesses with internal IT, or with higher security requirements
Essential Eight	Used as the baseline for configuration	Formal maturity assessment and uplift plan
Monitoring	Device, backup and patch health as part of IT support	Security monitoring and alerting through appropriate tooling
Vulnerabilities	Patching on a schedule	Vulnerability scanning and prioritised remediation
Incidents	Basic written plan	Incident response plan and tabletop exercises

If you need the deeper service, see managed cybersecurity.

Being asked about your security?

Insurers, larger customers and funders increasingly ask about MFA, backups and patching. Managed IT security gives you honest answers to those questions. For a wider view, read cybersecurity for small business in Australia.

FAQ

Managed IT security: common questions

What is managed IT security?

It is the security work done as part of running your IT: enforcing MFA, hardening and patching devices, securing email, backing up and testing restores, managing the firewall and aligning settings to the Essential Eight. It is maintained every day rather than reviewed once a year.

Is managed IT security the same as managed cybersecurity?

No. Managed IT security is the baseline built into our managed IT service. Managed cybersecurity is a deeper, dedicated service with formal Essential Eight assessment, security monitoring, vulnerability management and incident response planning, and can be delivered alongside your own IT team.

Does this make us Essential Eight compliant?

The Essential Eight is a maturity model rather than a certification. Managed IT security configures your environment against it and shows which strategies are in place. If you need a formal maturity assessment, that is part of managed cybersecurity.

Will the changes disrupt staff?

Some changes, such as MFA or removing admin rights, are noticeable. We roll them out in stages, test with a small group first and explain them to staff before they arrive.

Can we get managed IT security without managed IT?

It is designed as part of managed IT. If you have your own IT team and want security help, managed cybersecurity in a co-managed arrangement is usually the better fit.

What happens if we are hit by a cyber incident?

We follow the written incident plan: contain the affected accounts or devices, restore from backup where needed, and help you work through reporting obligations and insurer requirements. Larger incidents may need a specialist incident response firm, which we can help coordinate.

Want the basics done properly?

Tell us about your environment and we will show you where the gaps are and how we would close them.

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