If your business collects names, phone numbers, email addresses, login details, or financial data, a Written Information Security Program (WISP) is no longer a “nice to have.” In many cases, it is a legal requirement.
In July 2025, the Internal Revenue Service and its Security Summit partners reminded tax professionals that they must have a written, accessible WISP to protect client data. This requirement is not new, but enforcement and expectations are increasing, especially as data breaches and identity theft continue to rise.
While the IRS article focuses on tax professionals, the underlying rule comes from the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). Under this law, any business that handles sensitive consumer information, including accountants, bookkeepers, payroll providers, and many small service firms, must document how it protects that data.
What a WISP Actually Covers
A proper WISP is not just a policy you download and forget. According to IRS guidance, a strong WISP focuses on three core areas :
- Employee management and training
- Information systems and data handling
- Detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents
In simple terms, a WISP explains:
- What data do you collect
- Where it is stored
- Who has access to it
- How it is protected
- What happens if something goes wrong
This includes password policies, backups, website security, vendor access, and an incident response plan.
Why Small Businesses Are Often at Risk
Many small and mid-sized businesses assume WISPs only apply to large firms. In reality, smaller companies are often targeted because they lack documented processes and consistent security controls.
The IRS specifically notes that WISPs must be reviewed, tested, and updated regularly, especially when systems, vendors, or workflows change. A document written once and never revisited does not meet that standard.
How Think Digital TX Helps
At Think Digital TX, we help businesses create, document, and maintain WISPs that actually match how they operate, not generic templates filled with legal jargon.
Our WISP support includes:
- Writing a clear, business-specific WISP
- Aligning website security, hosting, and email systems with the plan
- Updating the WISP as laws, tools, or workflows change
- Supporting audits, compliance questions, and incident response planning
You can learn more about our technical and security consulting here:
https://www.thinkdigitaltx.com/technical-consulting/
As regulations tighten and clients expect better data protection, having a real WISP is no longer optional. It is part of running a responsible, modern business.
If you are unsure whether your current setup meets today’s expectations, we can help.