SOCI Act Compliance Services for Critical Infrastructure

Critical Infrastructure & SOCI Act Compliance

SOCI Act Compliance & Critical Infrastructure Security for Australian Operators

Australia's Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act now covers 11 sectors and 22 asset classes — and with CIRMP reporting obligations active and CISC audits underway, the compliance window is closing. ASE Tech partners with energy, water, transport, and telecommunications operators across Australia to implement proactive cybersecurity frameworks aligned with the SOCI Act, AESCSF, and CIRMP requirements.

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Critical infrastructure — power grid and industrial facilities

Frameworks we work with

SOCI Act 2018

CIRMP

AESCSF

Essential Eight

ISO 27001

11+

Critical sectors covered under the SOCI Act

Energy, water, transport, telecoms & more

22

Asset classes in scope for CIRMP obligations

Across all regulated sectors nationally

Aug '24

CIRMP compliance became mandatory

CISC audits now active — deadlines have passed

$44k+

Minimum penalty per non-compliance contravention

Corporates liable for up to 5× that amount

Who we help

SOCI-regulated sectors we serve

If your organisation owns or operates assets in any of these sectors, CIRMP compliance obligations apply to you. The August 2024 deadline has passed and CISC audits are now active.

Energy

Electricity, gas & liquid fuels operators

Water & sewerage

Water utilities and treatment networks

Transport

Ports, rail, aviation & freight infrastructure

Communications & telecoms

Carriers & critical comms networks

Financial services

Banks, markets & financial infrastructure

Data storage & processing

Data centres & cloud infrastructure

Health

Hospitals, health networks & medical systems

Higher education & research

Universities & research institutions

Defence industry

Defence manufacturers & service providers

Food & grocery

Critical food supply chain operators

Space

Space industry & satellite infrastructure

Our services

A managed security framework built for SOCI compliance

Every service supports your CIRMP obligations — from identity and access through to continual compliance governance and annual reporting.

Identity & Access Management

Secure, custom-built IAM tailored for critical infrastructure and OT environments.

Custom IXID solutions for critical assets
Enhanced access control for OT environments
Optimised security and operational efficiency

SIEM & Security Event Management

Real-time monitoring and incident analysis aligned to CIRMP governance.

Continuous security alerts and analytics
SIEM solutions aligned to CIRMP governance
Enhanced asset visibility and protection

Network Security

Multi-layered protection of critical assets through advanced security measures.

Next-generation firewall implementation
Advanced threat protection
Intrusion detection and response

Asset Visibility & Vulnerability Scanning

Continuous asset visibility across OT networks for constant SOCI compliance.

Continuous vulnerability scanning
Real-time asset visibility across OT networks
Network-wide OT environment security

Continual Compliance & CIRMP Governance

Embed SOCI compliance into operations with clearly defined frameworks.

CIRMP integration and annual reporting support
Continual compliance visibility and risk tracking
Governance across AESCSF, CIRMP, and ISO 27001

OT Configuration & Industrial Security

Specialised OT device auditing and industrial system security testing.

Specialised OT device auditing
Industrial system security and config review
Robust testing and auditing methodologies

ISO 27001 & Certification Support

Certification and governance aligned to global information security standards.

Certified international information security management
Continuous operational improvement through governance
Aligned with SOCI and CIRMP legislative frameworks

Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

Advanced EDR securing critical assets with comprehensive endpoint visibility.

EDR across all critical infrastructure assets
Industry-leading security partner integrations
Comprehensive endpoint visibility and threat mitigation

Core Infrastructure & Business Continuity

Infrastructure and continuity systems tailored to support critical assets.

Virtual and physical infrastructure deployment
Reliable backups and redundancy systems
Operational resilience against disruption

Our methodology

How we deliver SOCI compliance — the 3 Lights model

A structured, three-stage framework giving Australian critical infrastructure operators a clear, objective path to SOCI compliance.

1

Visibility

Map your assets, identify gaps, and establish your current SOCI compliance position against AESCSF, Essential Eight, or ISO 27001.

2

Gap Analysis

Benchmark existing controls against your chosen cybersecurity framework. Identify gaps, prioritise remediation, and understand your risk exposure.

3

Roadmap

A prioritised compliance roadmap with clear ownership and timelines, plus ongoing managed security as obligations evolve.

Why ASE Tech

Proven SOCI compliance expertise, Australian-owned

ISO 27001 certified

Our own ISO 27001 certification means we operate to the same standards we help our clients achieve — giving you confidence in our security posture and advice.

SOCI Act specialists

Deep expertise in SOCI Act, AESCSF, and CIRMP requirements across Australian critical infrastructure sectors — not generalist IT applied to compliance.

24/7 managed monitoring

Round-the-clock monitoring and incident response — your SOCI compliance posture and operational security never has a gap.

Measurable outcomes

Clear reporting on risk reduction and compliance status — measurable improvements in operational resilience, not just activity logs.

Resources

Go deeper on SOCI compliance

Practical tools and expert insights for Australian critical infrastructure operators — from our e-book to panel discussions and real-world case studies.

e-Book

SOCI Enforcement is Here, Proof is Mandatory

How renewables leaders are transforming SOCI compliance into continual assurance — protecting revenue, building investor trust, and driving long-term portfolio value.

Download the e-Book

Expert panel discussion

Virtual event

Reframing CIRMP: From Compliance Burden to Growth Lever

ASE Tech's expert panel explores how renewable operators are moving from reactive compliance to proactive, value-driven resilience — and turning SOCI obligations into operational advantage.

Watch the discussion

Case study

Goldwind: Building proactive resilience across a wind farm network

AI-enabled OT security and proactive risk mitigation — 24/7 visibility and automated response capabilities setting a new benchmark for resilience in critical renewable infrastructure.

Read the case study

FAQs

SOCI Act compliance — frequently asked questions

Common questions from Australian critical infrastructure operators navigating SOCI Act and CIRMP obligations.

A Critical Infrastructure Risk Management Program (CIRMP) is mandatory under Part 2A of the SOCI Act for responsible entities across all 11 critical sectors. If your organisation owns or operates a critical infrastructure asset, CIRMP compliance is a legal obligation. The August 2024 deadline has passed and the CISC now has an active audit program in place. If you're unsure whether you're in scope, an ASE Tech assessment can confirm your obligations and current position.

The SOCI Act covers 11 critical infrastructure sectors: energy (electricity, gas, liquid fuels), water and sewerage, transport (ports, rail, aviation, freight), communications and telecommunications, financial services and markets, data storage and processing, health, higher education and research, defence industry, food and grocery, and space. Within these sectors, 22 specific asset classes are defined under the legislation.

The Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework (AESCSF) is one of five designated cybersecurity frameworks you can adopt to meet the cybersecurity component of your CIRMP. It's purpose-built for OT environments in electricity, gas, and liquid fuels — the most common choice for energy sector operators. ASE Tech can assess your current AESCSF maturity level and build a remediation roadmap aligned to your CIRMP obligations.

Non-compliance with CIRMP reporting obligations can result in civil penalties from $44,000 per contravention, with corporate liability up to five times that amount. The CISC has moved to active enforcement with a formal audit program now running. If you've missed a deadline, the best approach is to engage with CISC proactively and establish a compliance plan immediately.

Yes. We offer gap assessments benchmarked against AESCSF, Essential Eight, or ISO 27001, help you document and board-approve your CIRMP, and ensure your evidence trail is audit-ready. We've supported Australian critical infrastructure operators through the compliance process and understand what CISC auditors expect to see. Get in touch to discuss your situation.

SOCI insights