Why Every CPA and Law Firm Needs a Written Information Security Plan (WISP)
- Samuel Kader
- May 19
- 2 min read
If your firm handles sensitive personal or financial data, you need a Written Information Security Plan (WISP)—not just for compliance, but to protect your clients, your reputation, and your future.
For CPA Firms, this is a legal requirement under the FTC Safeguards Rule, which mandates that firms develop and implement a comprehensive WISP to safeguard client information.
For Law Firms, while there is no federal WISP mandate at this time, client confidentiality and data security are increasingly under the microscope. With rising cyberattacks on legal practices, a WISP helps demonstrate ethical due diligence and reduce the risk of legal exposure if a breach occurs.
What’s at Risk Without a WISP?
⚠️ Regulatory Non-Compliance (CPA Firms):
If you prepare taxes or manage financial data and haven’t implemented a WISP, you’re out of compliance with the FTC Safeguards Rule. This can result in fines, audits, and enforcement actions—especially if a data incident occurs.
⚠️ Legal Liability (CPA and Law Firms):
A data breach is no longer an “if,” but a “when.” Without a WISP in place, your firm could be accused of negligence, opening the door to lawsuits, regulatory penalties, or disciplinary action.
⚠️ Client Trust and Reputation:
Cybersecurity is a client expectation. A data breach—or even an admitted lack of planning—can cause significant reputational damage, especially for firms built on trust and confidentiality.
So, What Is a WISP?
A WISP is your firm’s written roadmap to protecting client data. It outlines:
How your firm stores, accesses, and protects sensitive data
Who is responsible for data security
Your incident response plan in the event of a cyberattack
Ongoing employee training requirements
Vendor and software management protocols
It’s not just paperwork—it’s proof that your firm is actively managing cyber risk.
We Make It Easy to Get Started
At Shield IT Networks, we work with both CPA and law firms across California and the U.S. to help them meet compliance requirements and improve their security posture.
To help, we’ve created a free WISP Guide + customizable template that walks you through exactly what you need to include. You’ll also find an option to book a consult with our team if you want help tailoring your plan or evaluating your current protections.
✅ Simple, easy-to-follow guide
✅ Editable WISP template for your firm
✅ Optional consult with a cybersecurity expert
If you’re unsure whether your current security plan meets expectations—or you haven’t created one yet—this is the fastest way to get ahead of the risk and align with what clients and regulators now expect.
Protect your firm. Build client trust. Stay compliant.
We’ll help you get there.