Cyber security is no longer a “nice to have” – it’s a business fundamental, particularly for small to medium-sized businesses.  

Rising cyber threats, stronger regulations and growing customer expectations mean business leaders need to choose the right protection strategy, not just opt for IT support for quick fixes when things break.  

Cyber security frameworks and certification standards provide a structured roadmap to help you manage risk and protect your business, technology, data and people.  

You may be familiar with frameworks like SMB1001, ISO 27001 and Australia’s Essential 8. But which option is most suited to and achievable for your business?   

Let’s break down each framework and compare key features, with some practical guidance to help you choose the right fit for your organisation’s size, risk appetite and compliance considerations.  

An Overview of Each Framework 

Before you can choose the right cyber security framework, it’s important to understand what each one offers, and how they differ in purpose, scope and level of complexity. 

SMB1001 

Developed by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC), SMB1001 is specifically tailored for small and medium-sized businesses that need clear, actionable guidance, without the complexity of enterprise frameworks.  

It focuses on practical, achievable security controls, which are possible to implement, even if you have limited resources.  

The certification covers key areas like access control, data protection, network security and incident response, to help your business build resilience, step by step. It includes five levels (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond), allowing you to start at a basic level and progress your security posture over time 

SMB1001 is ideal for organisations taking their first structured approach to cyber security, as it offers a helpful balance of best-practice recommendations and realistic execution for smaller teams. 

ISO 27001 

ISO 27001 is the international gold standard for managing information security. It sets out a comprehensive framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS).  

As a formal certification, ISO 27001 requires detailed documentation, internal and external audits, and continuous risk management.  

It’s ideal for organisations that handle sensitive data, operate across regions or work with enterprise clients that require compliance evidence.  

While it can be resource and time intensive, ISO 27001 provides businesses with a structured, globally recognised approach to data security and risk reduction. 

The Essential Eight  

Also developed by the ACSC, the Essential Eight focuses on eight key mitigation strategies that are proven to reduce the risk of common cyber incidents. 

Rather than being a certification framework, it serves as a maturity model which can help your business assess your current implementation level for each strategy, and plan for continuous improvement.  

It’s particularly suited to organisations seeking a strong security baseline, without the administrative overhead of ISO 27001.  

By focusing on controls like multi-factor authentication, patch management, application controls and backups, the Essential Eight can help you quickly strengthen your cyber resilience in practical, measurable ways. 

Comparing Frameworks 

Choosing between frameworks (SMB1001, ISO 27001, the Essential Eight) often depends on your organisation’s size, resources and compliance considerations.  

Check out this table for a quick side-by-side view of how these frameworks compare, to help you identify which option best aligns with your business goals and capacity. 

Feature  SMB1001  ISO 27001  Essential Eight 
Target business size  Small to medium-sized businesses  Medium to enterprise, compliance-heavy organisations  All business sizes (flexible baseline) 

  
Complexity  Low, practical and straightforward  High, detailed and process-driven  Moderate, focuses on eight key controls 
Cost to implement  Low, minimal setup costs  High, certification and audits required  Moderate, depends on current systems 

  
Certification requirements  Formal certification  Formal certification through accredited auditors  No certification, uses maturity levels  
Maintenance effort  Low, ongoing maintenance  High, continual monitoring and audits  Moderate, regular updates and patching 
Regulatory relevance  Supports ACSC-aligned best practices  Recognised internationally, meets major compliance needs  Aligned with Australian Government standards 

  

So, Which Framework is Right for Your Business? 

It’s important to note, there is no single “best” cyber security framework. Making the right choice can depend on your industry, client expectations, available resources and long-term goals.  

Here’s some guidance and best-practice recommendations to help you understand which pathway can best suit your business.

SMB1001 is ideal for small businesses taking their first structured steps in cyber security.  

If you have limited internal IT support or budget constraints, but want to demonstrate good security practice, SMB1001 offers a simple, achievable roadmap.  

It’s well-suited to industries like retail, trades or small professional services where practicality and speed are important.  

ISO 27001 is best for organisations that handle sensitive data, work with enterprise and government clients, or operate in a stricter regulatory environment.  

This certification can be required in fields like legal, accounting, healthcare and consulting.  

While implementation can be resource-intensive, it provides internationally recognised assurance that your business takes information security seriously – a powerful trust signal for high-value clients. 

The ACSC’s Essential Eight strikes a good middle ground if your business is motivated to uplift your cyber maturity, without committing to full certification.  

It’s especially useful for growing organisations that want a strong, measurable security baseline, aligned with Australian standards.  

If, for instance, your business plans to scale or bid for government work, building to a higher Essential Eight maturity level can deliver lasting protection and credibility. 

Ultimately, the best framework is the one you can commit to maintaining. Whichever framework you select, be consistent and strive for continuous improvement.  

How Inspired IT Can Help 

Motivated to explore a cyber security framework to support your business? It doesn’t need to be overcomplicated, and you don’t have to do it alone.  

Inspired IT has extensive experience helping Perth businesses strengthen their security posture and align with SMB1001, ISO 27001 and the Essential Eight.  

Our team will take the time to understand your business needs and goals, assess your current systems, identify gaps, design a tailored approach and guide you with practical steps to help you support compliance and build lasting resilience. 

With proactive IT support and ongoing monitoring, we can help strengthen your defences even after implementation, to assist you in your ongoing cyber security journey. 

Ready to find the right framework for your business? Book a cyber security consultation or assessment with Inspired IT today and take the next step toward confident, informed protection. 

Take the Next Step Toward Stronger Cyber Security 

Choosing the right cyber security framework is a powerful way to protect your data, technology, people and reputation as your business grows.  

For businesses starting with SMB1001, aiming for ISO 27001 certification or building maturity through the Essential Eight, expert guidance can make all the difference. 

Inspired IT helps Perth businesses cut through complexity and build practical, lasting security. 

Not sure which framework fits your business? Let Inspired IT guide you. Book a cyber security assessment and take the first step toward stronger protection and peace of mind.