When it comes to virtualization and security, VMware (NYSE:VMW) works with a range of partners — Kaspersky, Symantec and Trend Micro come to mind — to help keep data centers secure. Now, distributors like Ingram Micro (NYSE:IM) also are getting into the conversation.

Indeed, Ingram (like a growing number of distributors) offers VMware service provider licensing to VARs. Now, Ingram wants partners to wrap security solutions around those VMware deployments. A case in point: Ingram increasingly evangelizes Trend Micro’s Deep Security solution VMware’s partners. The offering has a multi-tenant architecture to help VMware’s service providers to safeguard virtualized and cloud workloads.

Through private briefings, webcasts and blogs, Ingram has been telling VARs that Trend Micro Deep Security can help them to: Maximize operational cost reductions; Prevent data breaches and business interruptions; And achieve cost-effective compliance.

The VAR Guy is intrigued. But it’s important to note that there are multiple security players in the VMware market. For instance, VMware spent considerable time at last year’s Kaspersky Lab partner conference. And by September 2012, Kaspersky was evangelizing intrusion detection and prevention technologies for VMware deployments.

Still, plenty of folks fail to secure their virtualized servers. A recent BeyondTrust survey suggested that channel partners needed to rethink their security strategies for virtualization. It’s clear Ingram Micro (with an assist from Trend Micro) would like to weigh in on that conversation.