Top 10 Best Cybersecurity Companies in Forest of Dean

Cyber Security on the Forest's Doorstep

Gloucestershire holds a unique place in the UK's cyber security landscape. With GCHQ in Cheltenham and a thriving cluster of security firms and start-ups across the county, the Forest of Dean sits close to some of the deepest cyber expertise in Europe. That proximity matters, because local businesses face the same threats as organisations anywhere else: phishing emails, ransomware, invoice fraud, account takeovers and data breaches.

Small businesses are frequently targeted because attackers assume their defences are weaker. A single compromised email account at a tourism business or engineering firm can lead to financial loss, reputational damage and regulatory consequences. The companies below were chosen for their expertise, technology, accreditation, local accessibility and ability to protect organisations of different sizes.

1. Westway IT

Westway IT offers cyber security as a core part of its managed IT services, with team members based in the Forest of Dean. It helps small and medium-sized organisations implement practical protections such as multi-factor authentication, endpoint security, patch management and staff awareness training.

2. PC Rescue

PC Rescue includes cyber security within its managed IT support for Forest of Dean businesses. Proactive monitoring, Microsoft 365 security configuration and remote support help small offices defend against everyday threats without needing an in-house security team.

3. Darktrace

Darktrace is a world-leading cyber AI company founded in Cambridge. Its self-learning technology understands normal behaviour within a network and autonomously responds to unusual activity, catching sophisticated attacks that traditional tools might miss.

4. Sophos

Oxfordshire-headquartered Sophos is one of the UK's best-known security vendors, offering endpoint protection, firewalls and managed detection and response. Its products are widely deployed by IT providers serving schools and small businesses across Gloucestershire.

5. NCC Group

NCC Group is a Manchester-based global cyber security consultancy known for penetration testing, incident response and security assurance. Organisations that need independent testing of their systems or support after a breach often rely on its expertise.

6. BAE Systems Digital Intelligence

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence provides advanced cyber defence and intelligence capabilities to governments and critical industries. Its long-standing presence in the defence and security sector reflects the depth of capability linked to the South West and Gloucestershire.

7. Bridewell

Bridewell is a UK cyber security services firm offering managed detection and response, consultancy and penetration testing. It works with critical national infrastructure, utilities and regulated businesses that require round-the-clock protection.

8. Mimecast

Mimecast specialises in email security, archiving and awareness training. Since email remains the most common entry point for attacks, its filtering and impersonation protection is valuable for any Forest of Dean business handling invoices and customer data.

9. CrowdStrike

CrowdStrike is a global leader in cloud-native endpoint protection and threat intelligence. Its Falcon platform is used by organisations worldwide and is increasingly available to smaller businesses through managed service providers.

10. Check Point

Check Point provides firewalls, cloud security and threat prevention across networks of every size. Its unified security management helps organisations with multiple sites maintain consistent protection.

The Threat Landscape for Local Businesses

The most common attacks facing Forest of Dean organisations are rarely high-tech. Phishing emails impersonating suppliers or banks, fake invoices, password reuse and unpatched software account for many incidents. Ransomware remains a serious concern, capable of halting operations for days. Tourism and hospitality businesses that process card payments and personal data must also guard against data theft and comply with UK data protection law.

Artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing, with realistic voice cloning and well-written phishing emails. This makes staff training and verification procedures, such as calling suppliers to confirm bank detail changes, more important than ever.

Essential Steps to Improve Security

Start with the government-backed Cyber Essentials scheme, which covers firewalls, secure configuration, access control, malware protection and patch management. Enable multi-factor authentication on email and critical systems. Keep regular, tested backups stored separately from your main systems. Train staff to recognise phishing and report suspicious activity quickly. Finally, have an incident response plan so everyone knows what to do if something goes wrong.

Gloucestershire also offers useful support networks, including regional cyber resilience initiatives and business groups that share guidance on emerging threats.

Choosing a Cyber Security Partner

Look for providers with recognised accreditations, clear reporting and experience in your sector. Ask how they monitor threats, how quickly they respond to incidents and whether they offer training. For many small Forest of Dean businesses, a local managed service provider combined with trusted security tools from leading vendors offers the best balance of protection and cost.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cyber Security

Are small businesses really targeted? Yes. Automated attacks scan for weak passwords and unpatched systems regardless of company size, and small businesses are frequently caught out by invoice fraud and phishing.

What is the single most effective step? Enabling multi-factor authentication on email and key accounts blocks a large proportion of account takeover attempts.

Do I need cyber insurance? Cyber insurance can cover recovery costs, legal advice and business interruption. Insurers increasingly require basic controls such as backups and multi-factor authentication before offering cover.

What should I do after an incident? Disconnect affected devices, contact your IT provider, report fraud to the appropriate authorities and inform the Information Commissioner's Office if personal data has been compromised.

Conclusion

Cyber security is now a fundamental part of running any business. With world-class expertise nearby and accessible local providers, Forest of Dean organisations are well placed to protect their data, customers and reputation against an ever-changing threat landscape.