Ever considered your firewall as a digital lockbox? For accounting pros, a Written Information Security Plan (WISP) is just that—a legal must-have under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

With cyberattacks up 15% and 80% of firms unknowingly non-compliant, a WISP isn’t just paperwork; it’s your firm’s seatbelt. Think of it as a fire drill for hackers—employee training, risk assessments, and a designated security captain who runs regular simulations. It’s where policies meet practice.

Quick Cyber Checklist

Start with multi-factor authentication and encrypted backups. Run phishing drills monthly. Draft an incident-response template that tells “who calls whom” when chaos strikes. Grab the IRS’s free WISP template—it’s like a cybersecurity crockpot: set it, tweak it, and let it simmer.

Bottom line: Treat your WISP like your morning coffee—essential, daily, and non-negotiable. Your clients’ data—and your reputation—depend on it.