Cyber Essentials Milton Keynes

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

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Why Cyber Essentials Matters for Milton Keynes Businesses

Cyber crime is no longer a distant headline, it’s a daily reality for companies from MK1 to MK14. According to the UK Government’s latest Cyber Security Breaches Survey, almost 43 % of medium-sized firms were hit by cyber crime of cyber fraud last year, with average costs soaring of £10,000

For organisations bidding on MOD, NHS or central-government contracts, a valid Cyber Essentials certificate is now a mandatory entry ticket. Even if you never touch public-sector work, insurers and supply-chain partners increasingly demand proof of basic security hygiene before they sign on the dotted line.

With our office close to central Milton Keynes, Bluebell offers the fastest route for Milton Keynes SMEs to meet and exceed those requirements.

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

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”

Our Proven Four-Step Certification Process

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 Milton Keynes 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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Tangible Benefits & ROI

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 Central MK to Bletchley.
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 Milton Keynes, 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 Buckinghamshire 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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