The ransomware attack from early May that affected more than 200,000 people and computer networks in more than 150 countries is an opportunity for partners to have a conversation with their customers about security. While it may seem heartless to use a cyber attack as a sales tactic, this is more about protecting customers for the future, and making sure everyone has a backup plan.

The malware, dubbed WanaCrypt0r 2.0, or WannaCry, affected Europe the most. Companies from FedEx to Telefonica, universities to hospitals, were attacked. The pervasive nature of this most recent incident should be the kicker for partners to start checking on customers’ security strategies. Of course, there are obstacles, but there are ways to overcome them.

Something is better than nothing

More often than not, a company’s CTO will shrug off security solutions as too expensive. Small and medium-sized businesses cannot often afford the $25,000/month price tag for a soup-to-nuts solution. But partners should emphasize that customers do not need to go whole hog in order to protect themselves “just enough.” There are pieces of solutions that go for a fraction of the package price that will protect customers somewhat — and that could make or break their business.

The true cost of a breach

60% of small and medium-sized businesses are out of business within six months of a cyber attack. Further statistics show that companies spent an average of $879,582 in the aftermath of damage or theft of IT assets. And disruption to normal operations cost an average of $955,429.

Partners can show these quotes to their customers. Then they can ask the CTO if he really thinks that investing in a security solution today isn’t worth the money.

Take this most recent ransomware attack, the Target breach of 2013, and any one other of the myriad cyber attacks of the last couple of years, and present the case to customers. Now is not the time to shy away from protective technology. Emphasize that the true cost of a security breach is a customer’s entire business.

You don’t have to be the expert

Don’t let the daunting nature of security technology be the reason you leave your customers without solutions. Take the time to get with a couple of providers that have security products to find out about what the solutions are, and then you’ll be in a good place to talk to your customers about security. You can admit you are not the expert, but you work with experts, and can connect your customers. That’s where a program like MicroCorp’s Team Alliance Program comes in. The program is designed to connect partners with experts of all kinds in the channel — security is no exception.

At the very least, your customers should have a basic security assessment done. Discuss where they are vulnerable with them so they know where their risks are. From there, it is their decision about how robust they want to get with a security solution.

Putting your head in the sand isn’t going to make the risk go away. Talk to MicroCorp today about how to proceed with working with your customers on securing their businesses for the future.