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IRAP Readiness and Assessments

Designed for regulated environments with high compliance and assurance requirements

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What is an IRAP Assessment?

An IRAP (Information Security Registered Assessor Program) assessment provides independent validation against the Australian Government’s Information Security Manual (ISM), published by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD).

IRAP assessments focus on risk management rather than simple compliance, helping organisations secure ICT systems, cloud services, and sensitive data.

An IRAP assessment supports informed, risk-based decisions by owners and stakeholders for systems that store, process, or transmit Australian Government information, including data classified at OFFICIAL and PROTECTED levels.

Why is an IRAP Assessment required?

 IRAP assessments help organisations manage sensitive information securely and effectively, reducing exposure to security threats.

They demonstrate alignment with Australian Government security standards while identifying and addressing security gaps to protect against breaches and support ongoing regulatory compliance.

IRAP assessments are used by government agencies to understand security risks, determine control effectiveness, and inform acceptance of residual risk. For cloud‑hosted systems, assessments are performed in alignment with the Cloud Assessment and Authorisation Framework (CAAF).

How AUCyber supports IRAP Readiness and Assessments

ISM Gap Assessments Against the Australian Government ISM

Comprehensive ISM gap assessments to evaluate your current security posture, measure alignment against the Australian Government ISM, and identify readiness gaps, risks, and remediation priorities.

IRAP Readiness and Pre‑Assessment Support

Targeted IRAP readiness support to help your organisation prepare for assessment, including control uplift guidance, evidence development, documentation review, and interview preparation.

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Independent IRAP Assessments Aligned to ISM Requirements

Independent IRAP assessments conducted in line with official IRAP and ISM requirements, providing objective assurance and clear reporting to support Authorisation decisions.

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End‑to‑End IRAP Lifecycle Support

End‑to‑end IRAP lifecycle support, from early readiness and control design through assessment, remediation, re‑assessment, and ongoing compliance maintenance.

Why choose AUCyber for IRAP Readiness & Assessments?

Our team brings deep, hands‑on experience helping organisations prepare for IRAP assessments and successfully navigate the assessment process itself. We work alongside your technical and business teams to uplift security maturity, map controls to the ISM, and ensure you are genuinely ready before an assessor ever gets involved. This practical preparation reduces risk, shortens assessment timelines, and avoids the common pitfalls that delay government engagement. We focus on what actually works in real environments, not theoretical compliance.

We also carry out IRAP assessments, led by experienced practitioners who understand both government expectations and commercial realities. Our approach is grounded in real people working directly with your teams, not templated reports or checkbox exercises. We take the time to understand how your services operate, clearly explain findings, and provide pragmatic recommendations that support accreditation and ongoing improvement. The result is an IRAP outcome that government departments can trust, and a security posture that supports growth rather than slowing it down.

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Typical IRAP Assessment Timelines

An IRAP engagement typically occurs in two stages. Readiness activities usually take 1–3 months, depending on how mature and well documented your environment is.

The formal IRAP assessment itself generally takes around 1–2 months, with timelines influenced by the scope, complexity and availability of evidence and stakeholders.

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IRAP Assessment Costs & Pricing Factors

Pricing varies based on your requirements, including the scope of the assessment, the complexity of your environment and how deeply you need controls assessed.

We have a large and flexible team of IRAP assessors, which allows us to scale the engagement appropriately and tailor an approach that aligns with your budget and risk profile.

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IRAP Readiness and Assessment FAQs

What does an IRAP assessment assess against?

An IRAP assessment evaluates a system’s security controls against the Australian Government Information Security Manual (ISM), including governance, technical, and operational security requirements applicable to the system’s classification.

Is ISO 27001 certification sufficient for IRAP?

No. ISO 27001 certification does not replace an IRAP assessment. While ISO 27001 can support security maturity, IRAP specifically assesses alignment to ISM controls and Australian Government risk expectations.

When is an IRAP assessment required?

IRAP assessments are typically required when a system stores, processes, or transmits Australian Government information, particularly for systems handling OFFICIAL or PROTECTED data or supporting government service delivery.

What is the difference between IRAP readiness and an IRAP assessment?

IRAP readiness focuses on preparing systems, controls, and evidence prior to assessment. An IRAP assessment is an independent evaluation performed to inform a government authorisation decision.

How often does an IRAP assessment need to be updated?

IRAP assessments are generally reviewed or refreshed following significant system changes, changes in data classification, or as part of an agency’s ongoing risk management and authorisation processes.

Trusted for IRAP and Australian Government Compliance Requirements

AUCyber maintains a range of government‑recognised certifications and security credentials that support your organisation’s IRAP readiness and assessment journey. These assurances reflect our commitment to meeting the ISM, IRAP, and DTA expectations of Australian Government agencies.

Ready to start your IRAP assessment ?

Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming IRAP assessment or looking to understand your current ISM alignment, AUCyber can help you plan the right next steps. Talk to an IRAP Specialist today!