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Bellator Cyber Guard
BELLATOR CYBER GUARD
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WRITTEN INFORMATION SECURITY PLAN FOR TAX PREPARERS

A written security plan built around your practice. Free.

Use this editable Word and PDF template to document the safeguards your firm actually uses to protect taxpayer data. Adapt every section to your people, systems, and procedures.

Nine planning areas to customize for your firm
Editable Word & PDF for tax professionals
Free. No credit card. Instant download.
CONFIDENTIAL · FIRM COPY
Written Information Security Plan
ALIGNED TO IRS PUB 4557 GUIDANCE
Get your free WISP template
Editable Word & PDF. Instant download.
Your details stay with Bellator. Never sold, never shared.

Turn your safeguards into a firm-specific plan

01
Download the template

A complete example plan arrives instantly as an editable Word document and PDF, structured section by section.

02
Make it your firm’s plan

A useful WISP reflects your real practice. Every section arrives pre-written, so your work is naming your people, your systems, and the safeguards you actually use.

03
Review, approve & maintain it

Keep it with your records, review it regularly, and update it when your people, systems, or safeguards change.

Inside the editable WISP template

This template gives you a practical starting structure for documenting how your practice safeguards taxpayer data, with clear places to add your firm’s real people, systems, and procedures.

CONTENTS · 9 PLANNING AREAS
01Purpose, scope & plan objectives
02Responsible individuals: your Data Security Coordinator
03Risk assessment
04Hardware & software inventory
05Data safeguards & access controls
06Employee training & management
07Incident response & breach notification
08Service provider oversight
09Annual review & updates

What goes into a written information security plan

A written information security plan documents how your firm protects client data in practice: who is responsible, what hardware and software touch taxpayer information, how access is controlled, how staff are trained, and what happens if something goes wrong.

Publication 4557 is IRS guidance for safeguarding taxpayer data, while the FTC Safeguards Rule requires covered firms to maintain a written information security program. A template removes the blank page; it does not replace firm-specific judgment or advice.

Built for tax-preparer workflows

Start with a usable structure instead of a blank page. The template organizes the planning areas so you can focus on the details of your own practice.
Editable starting pointWord and PDF formats
Make the document firm-specific. Identify your responsible people, technology, data-handling practices, and review schedule before you approve it.
Designed to customizeBuilt around your actual safeguards
Want a second set of eyes on your firm-specific plan? Book a free 15-minute WISP review or explore a custom-written WISP.

Common questions about written information security plans

What is a Written Information Security Plan (WISP)?

It is your firm’s written record of how client data is protected: the responsible people, systems, safeguards, and incident-response procedures that apply to your practice.

Who is required to have a written information security plan?

The FTC Safeguards Rule can apply to tax-preparation firms, including smaller practices. Confirm the requirements that apply to your business and document the safeguards you actually use.

How long does a written information security plan need to be?

Long enough to honestly cover the required sections for your firm; for most small practices that is a focused document, not a binder. Substance beats page count: a short plan that reflects reality outperforms a long one that does not.

Is this written information security plan template really free?

Yes, genuinely free and complete. Bellator is a cybersecurity firm for tax professionals. Some preparers who start with the template later ask us to review their plan or manage their security, and that is the whole business model.

Does a written information security plan satisfy the FTC Safeguards Rule?

A firm-specific WISP can be part of a written information security program. Tailor it to your actual safeguards and obtain appropriate advice before treating it as your complete compliance program.

Start with a plan built for your practice.

Download the editable Written Information Security Plan template and tailor it to how your firm protects taxpayer data.

Get My Free WISP TemplateFree template · No credit card · Instant download
Bellator Cyber Guard · (800) 492-6076 · security@bellatorcyber.comBellator Cyber Guard is a private cybersecurity firm and is not affiliated with the IRS or any government agency.