WISP IRS Template or an Automated Tool?
Choosing between a WISP IRS Template or cybersecurity planning tool can make all the difference between success and failure in many situations. Think about it – a surgeon considers carefully which tool to use before an operation. An electrician chooses a tool to get the job done right and safely. The right tool, when chosen well, can determine how efficiently you perform your work, and it sets the stage for the outcome of the job itself. While tax and accounting may not be brain surgery or managing high voltage wires, you are handling confidential and crucial information every single day as your client’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII) passes over your desk. And the tool that you choose to create your IRS WISP, or Written Information Security Plan, is an important decision to consider.
The IRS has provided a sample WISP template on its website, and with one quick search on the internet you will also see a long list of free WISP policy templates to help you. The WISP Builder tool also provides you with an editable template. So, how do you know which is the best tool for you and your business? What’s the difference between the two templates, and how does it impact compliance? Let’s weigh the pros and cons of each – the free IRS WISP template form and the WISP Builder tool to help you make the best decision.
Using the free WISP IRS Template
When using the free WISP IRS template, you can easily see a comprehensive list of everything that you should include when creating your WISP. Each key piece from the objective of your WISP to listing your qualified individuals and assessing risks is listed. Inventory hardware and document safety protocols are all included on the list inside the IRS Form sample template, each with the opportunity for you to customize the template specifically for your company. WISP Builder includes a link to the IRS Publication 5708 directly on its resource page for easy access.
When using the free IRS WISP template, you will ultimately be creating your own WISP on a document, like Google Docs or Word, by copying and pasting the template and editing the specifics. The pros of using the free IRS sample template is that there is no cost in creating your cybersecurity plan. The cons of the sample template is that the benefits stop there.
Creating a WISP – Your First Step to Compliance
Creating your written information security plan is only the first step to getting compliant. You will then need to gather signatures and store the WISP offsite in order to meet compliance requirements. And you’ll need to update your WISP and train your staff on it every year, at least, in order to stay compliant!
If you are diligent in maintaining your WISP, can effectively train your employees, and are able to edit and store your WISP on your own while following compliance rules, then the free IRS WISP template could work for you as a solution.
The IRS WISP Software Solution
Automated cybersecurity planning software like the WISP Builder tool, on the other hand, covers all of your bases like an all-in-one tool able to tackle compliance – and makes the process a whole lot easier for you to create and maintain your WISP.
To create an IRS WISP using WISP Builder, you can easily edit the template inside the tool itself which is ready to go and easy to edit. With the ‘record and store’ feature inside WISP Builder, all of the signatures needed to sign off on your WISP can be housed in the tool and your WISP easily stored offsite for extra safety measures. The simplicity of the editable template means that you can easily make updates and maintain your WISP as changes in staff or other updates occur throughout the year.
There are even more pros to using WISP Builder such as the staff training resources and an easy-to-read format that is accessible to your employees at all times. When your WISP is easy for your employees to find and review – your security plan has a much higher chance of working to protect you.
The WISP Builder tool will also remind you when it’s time to make required annual updates to help you stay compliant. With WISP Builder there really are no cons in using this tool. It can accommodate every size of business from a one-person accounting business to a firm with hundreds of employees.
When choosing the right tool for creating and maintaining your WISP, you want to choose one that helps keep you get and stay compliant for peace of mind, so you can focus on serving your clients well. WISP Builder is an evergreen tool designed to help you to not only get compliant, but also to stay compliant as the world of cybersecurity changes. And the best part? WISP Builder really is the most cost-effective tool of its kind. Review the annual pricing and what’s inside at WISP Builder.
