How to Create a Monthly Security Report That Keeps Your Clients From Leaving

Most clients don’t leave because “another agency is better.” They leave because they don’t perceive your value.

In security this is even worse: when nothing goes wrong, the client thinks you did nothing.

Your monthly report has one single goal: make the invisible visible.

• What was detected
• What was prevented
• What risks exist
• What you (or your team) did
• What comes next

If your report is “all OK” in one sentence, you’re handing them the churn on a silver platter.

What Metrics a Client Understands (and Which Ones They Don’t)

The client doesn’t want your technical checklist. They want impact.

Metrics They Actually Understand (and That Convert)

• Threats blocked (count and trend)
• Critical alerts detected (and whether there was intervention)
• Critical changes (admin users, sensitive files, configuration)
• Current risks (outdated components, exposed attack surface)
• Response time (if you offer an SLA)

Metrics They Don’t Understand (and That Just Add Noise)

• Payload names, techniques and jargon (“SQLi/XXE/RCE” without context)
• Endless log lists
• Tables without a summary
• “High risk” without a plain-English explanation

Rule: if a metric doesn’t lead to a decision (“what do we do?”), cut it.

Report Structure (1 Page + Technical Appendix)

Here’s the structure that works because it’s fast, clear and sells your service.

Page 1: Executive Summary (the Only Page the Client Will Read)

Recommended sections:

• Month status (1 sentence)
• What was prevented (blocks + critical alerts)
• Top 3 current risks (prioritized)
• Actions taken this month (3–6 bullets)
• Top 3 recommendations (improvements)
• Next step (CTA / proposal)

Technical Appendix (for the “IT Client” or Audits)

• Critical events timeline
• Change details (change events)
• Summarized alert list by severity
• Inventory with risks (without dramatizing)
• Evidence (screenshots/event IDs if applicable)

This protects you: the CEO reads 1 page, the technical contact can audit the appendix.

Evidence: Blocks, Attempts, Critical Changes, Detected Risks

Your monthly WordPress security report is not based on opinions. It’s based on proof.

1) Blocks and “What Was Prevented”

Don’t say “we protected you.” Say:

• “X automated attempts were blocked”
• “Y repeated patterns from suspicious IPs were stopped”
• “There were Z critical alerts (P1) and we acted within N hours”

2) Critical Alerts (Only the Ones That Matter)

The client doesn’t need 200 alerts. They need:

• The critical ones
• With a summary: what happened / potential impact / action taken

3) Critical Changes (This Is Gold for Retention)

Critical changes are the ones that alarm clients — in a controlled, reassuring way:

• New admin created
• Role change
• Sensitive file change (wp-config / .htaccess)
• Unexpected plugin installation or activation

This proves that real activity is happening and that you are watching.

4) Detected Risks (No Fear, With a Plan)

Examples:

• Outdated components with high exposure (login, forms, ecommerce)
• Too many admins or inactive accounts
• Configuration inconsistent with the security standard

But always with “what do we do” right next to it. Otherwise it looks like you’re selling fear.

Prioritized Recommendations (Top 3) So They Pay for Improvements

Here’s the clean upsell: it’s not selling, it’s prioritizing.

How to Choose the Top 3 (Without Making Things Up)

Prioritize by:

• Impact — if it happens, how much does it hurt
• Probability — how exposed they are
• Effort — quick wins first

Recommendation Format That the Client Buys

Each recommendation needs 4 lines:

• What: “Enable 2FA for administrators”
• Why: “Reduces the risk of credential compromise”
• Impact: “Prevents unauthorized access”
• Effort/cost: “30–60 min + validation”

Typical Top 3 Examples for an Agency

• Enforce 2FA on all admins
• Reduce login attack surface (threshold + mitigation)
• Prioritized update plan for critical components

How to Present It in a 10-Minute Call

If you just send the PDF and move on, you’re wasting the moment. Make a short call: talk about decisions, not logs.

10-Minute Script

• (1 min) “Month summary in one sentence”
• (2 min) “What was prevented” — blocks + critical alerts
• (3 min) “Top 3 current risks”
• (3 min) “Top 3 proposed actions” — natural upsell
• (1 min) Close: “Should we implement this for you this week?”

Reusable Report Template (Ready to Copy)

Copy this format and use it every month. Just swap the client data.

MONTHLY SECURITY REPORT — [Site/Client] — [Month]

1) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (6 bullets max)
   Overall status:
   Threats blocked:
   Critical alerts:
   Critical changes:
   Actions taken:
   Next step:

2) WHAT WAS PREVENTED
   Blocked attempts:
   Critical alerts detected:
   Brief timeline (if applicable):

3) TOP 3 CURRENT RISKS (prioritized)
   Risk 1 — why it matters — recommended action
   Risk 2 — why it matters — recommended action
   Risk 3 — why it matters — recommended action

4) PROPOSED ACTIONS (natural upsell, 3 items)
   Action A — cost/time — benefit
   Action B — cost/time — benefit
   Action C — cost/time — benefit

TECHNICAL APPENDIX
   Critical events (timeline)
   Critical changes
   Alert summary by severity
   Inventory and general status

If you want your monthly report to stop looking like “maintenance” and start looking like a serious managed security service, you need automatic evidence and summaries. Vulnity generates blocks, critical alerts, changes and reports so your client sees the value and renews without argument.

Want to see how it fits your workflow? Also read: How to Charge More for WordPress Maintenance by Selling Managed Security (Without Selling Hype).