Cyber Essentials Bedford

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Achieve government-backed protection against common cyber threats—locally delivered.

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Why Cyber Essentials Matters for Bedford Businesses

Bedfordshire was labelled the UK’s “cyber-crime capital” in late 2024, with 2,900 residents falling victim to hacking and malware every year. At the same time, the Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre warns that 42% of small businesses across the region have already been hit.

For any firm bidding on MOD, NHS or council frameworks, a Cyber Essentials certificate is now the gatekeeper. Even if you never chase public-sector contracts, underwriters and supply-chain partners are starting to insist on the badge before they’ll sign off a policy or purchase order.

Our engineers are based just up the A421, so we can be on-site in Priory Business Park, Bedford Heights, Elstow or Kempston in short amount of time. With Bluebell you’ll tick the box and tighten security without drowning in paperwork.

What Is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government & NCSC scheme that sets out five technical controls proven to block the vast majority of commodity cyber attacks.

Control	Benefit
1. Firewall & Secure Configuration	Stops unauthorised traffic reaching your network.
2. Software Updates	Close exploits in operating systems & apps.
3. Access Controls	Ensures only the right people reach the right data.
4. Malware Protection	Detects and isolates viruses, ransomware and spyware.
5. Patch Management	Keeps every device and server up to date.

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Cyber Essentials vs. Cyber Essentials Plus – which fits Bedford businesses?

Compare the two certification levels to choose the right option for your business.

Criteria	Cyber Essentials	Cyber Essentials Plus
Assessment Type	Self-assessment questionnaire, externally reviewed.	Indep. technical audit & penetration testing.
Ideal For	Businesses needing a fast, low-cost compliance baseline.	Firms handling sensitive data or higher-risk environments.
Certification Time	2–5 working days after submission.	5–10 working days, incl. on-site visit.
Assurance Level	“Good hygiene”	“Verified controls working in practice”

How Bluebell gets Bedford firms certified – our 4-step plan

Gap Analysis & Scoping
We review your current stack: firewalls, endpoints, M365 tenants to map gaps against the five controls.
Documentation & Configuration
Bluebell engineers apply fixes, draft required policies and prep evidence on-site in your Bedford office if preferred.
Questionnaire Submission
We complete the IASME self-assessment on your behalf and liaise with the assessor for any clarifications.
Certification & Continuous Support
Receive your digital certificate and logo, plus optional service for patching and renewals next year.

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Concrete pay-offs for Bedfordshire organisations

Access to Government Contracts – bid confidently for MOD & NHS tenders.
Reduced Insurance Costs – many underwriters lower premiums by up to 10 %.
Improved Customer Trust – display the Cyber Essentials badge on proposals & websites.
Local On-Site Support – same-day engineer visits anywhere from Priory Business Park to Kempston.
Fast Turnaround – typical certification in under a week for Essentials.
Future-Proofing – foundation for ISO 27001 or PCI-DSS journeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Cyber Essentials certification cost?

Pricing for Cyber Essentials starts at £899 per year for micro-organisations and scales based on headcount:

1–9 users – £899
10–19 users – £1,275
20–49 users – £2,099

For businesses in Bedford, we’re happy to provide a tailored quote based on your team size and needs.

Is Cyber Essentials worth it?

Yes. Beyond compliance, Cyber Essentials helps block common cyber attacks that are far costlier to fix than prevent. It’s a smart, practical layer of protection that also shows clients and suppliers you take security seriously.

What are the 5 Cyber Essentials controls?

Compliant firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection & patch management (see full list above).

What happens if I fail Cyber Essentials?

If your application doesn’t pass the first time, don’t worry. You’ll get a clear list of fixes, and our team will support you through them. Once resolved, you can resubmit at no extra cost. Most businesses only need a few tweaks to pass.

How long does certification take in MK?

For most businesses, Cyber Essentials certification takes 2–7 working days from the start of the application. Cyber Essentials Plus, which includes a technical audit, typically takes 7–10 days. We’ll guide you through the process to keep things running smoothly.

Cyber Security

Need Broader Protection?

As a UK Government Cyber Essentials-accredited provider, Bluebell protects organisations of every size across Bedfordshire and beyond. From managed firewalls to 24 / 7 monitoring, we wrap enterprise-grade security around your data, systems and people.

What we deliver:

Managed next-generation firewalls & secure network design
UK-based 24 / 7 monitoring
Phishing-awareness training that turns staff into a first line of defence
Cyber Security Health Checks, risk assessments and CE / CE Plus readiness

Learn about our full Cyber Security services.

Certified & Verified: We hold both Cyber Essentials and the more rigorous Cyber Essentials PLUS accreditation. That means our systems, policies, and networks are tested yearly by an independent assessor, giving you assurance that your data is handled to UK Government security standards.

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