From Whisper to WISP-er: How CPAs Can Use AI to Quietly Crush Compliance

By Fady Salama, Founder & CEO, SimplifyIT A-Z

When most CPAs hear the phrase Written Information Security Program, or WISP, the first reaction is usually a mix of confusion and dread. I get it. Between the FTC Safeguards Rule, IRS Publication 4557, and ever-evolving state privacy laws, it can feel like you need both a law degree and an IT certification just to stay compliant.

Here’s the truth: creating a WISP doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In fact, with the right mindset and a little help from artificial intelligence, you can build a WISP that not only meets regulatory requirements but also strengthens your firm’s reputation for trust and professionalism.

That’s what I set out to share at the ASCPA 2025 Converge Conference by showing how CPAs can use AI to simplify compliance, personalize their security programs and quietly crush the standards that once felt out  
of reach.

Why WISP Matters for Every CPA Firm 

As accountants, you manage the crown jewels of your clients’ personal and financial lives with tax returns, bank statements, Social Security numbers and payroll data. You are not just custodians of information; you are guardians of trust.

That’s why regulators expect us to have a documented WISP. IRS Publication 4557 spells out data security obligations for tax professionals and the FTC Safeguards Rule extends to any firm offering financial services — CPAs included.

Noncompliance can bring fines, audits and reputational harm, but I see it differently. Doing WISP right is more than a defensive move; it’s a competitive advantage. When your clients know you’re proactive about data protection, it reinforces the trust they already place in you. I like to say compliance isn’t a burden, it’s a business differentiator.

Breaking Down the WISP: Five Practical Steps

When I help firms build or update their WISP, I break it into five clear steps. Think of it as a continuous cycle rather than a one-time project.

1. Identify Your Risks

Every WISP starts with a risk assessment. Start by understanding what sensitive data you handle, where it’s stored and what could threaten it.

Here’s where AI can help. During my live demo at Converge, I asked ChatGPT to “generate a risk assessment template for a small CPA firm.” In seconds, it produced a structured table ranking risks by likelihood and impact.

That doesn’t replace your judgment, but it jump-starts the process, saving hours of research and formatting.

2. Write the Rules

Once you understand your risks, document the policies and procedures that govern how your firm protects information. These include access control, vendor management, data retention and incident response.

AI tools are surprisingly good at drafting policy language in plain English. You can prompt ChatGPT with, “Write an acceptable use policy for a remote CPA firm using cloud accounting tools,” and instantly get a professional-sounding first draft.

Of course, you’ll need to customize it for your firm, but starting from something instead of nothing makes a huge difference.

3. Put Safeguards into Action

Policies only work when paired with safeguards. These are the actions and technologies that make your plan real.

I encourage firms to look at three categories:

• Administrative safeguards: staff training, a designated security officer and clear disciplinary measures.
• Technical safeguards: multi-factor authentication, encryption, regular patching and data backups.
• Physical safeguards: secured offices, locked workstations and shred bins for paper documents.

The most overlooked of these?

People. Employees are the first line of defense. AI can help create phishing awareness quizzes or micro-trainings that keep security top-of-mind without adding workload, but technology can’t fix what people don’t understand.

4. Be Ready for “When,” Not “If”

Data incidents aren’t hypothetical anymore; they’re inevitable. That’s why every WISP must include an incident response plan outlining how you detect, contain, notify and recover from a breach.

During my presentation, I demonstrated how to ask ChatGPT for a “CPA firm incident response playbook.” The AI produced a detailed outline including roles, timelines and escalation paths. From there, it’s easy to adapt it to your firm’s structure and contacts.

The key is documentation. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to start from a blank page; you want a roadmap.

5. Keep It Alive

Finally, a WISP is not a binder you file away. It’s a living program.

Schedule an annual review — ideally every busy off-season, to reassess risks, update vendor information and confirm staff training. Even 30 minutes of review a year can keep your plan compliant and relevant.

AI can even remind you to do it. Set a recurring task or have it summarize any regulatory updates that might affect your WISP.

How AI Fits In

AI isn’t magic. While AI can dramatically simplify drafting and documentation, it’s not perfect. You still need to apply your professional judgment and understanding of your firm’s unique risks to ensure the final WISP truly reflects your operations and compliance needs. Remember that AI is a tool and not a substitute for your understanding of your firm’s risks and responsibilities.

Here are a few practical ways to use it:

1. Draft policies and templates: Create first drafts for acceptable use, vendor management or risk assessments.
2. Summarize regulations: Ask AI to condense complex rules like IRS Pub 4557 into bullet points you can share with partners.
3. Generate checklists: Quickly produce a list of where client PII is stored and who has access.
4. Brainstorm safeguards: Use AI to surface overlooked security ractices for small firms.
5. Create staff training content: From cybersecurity newsletters to phishing scenarios, AI can help you communicate effectively.

The key is oversight. Treat AI like a capable junior associate who can accelerate your work, but it still needs review, judgment and accountability.

Compliance as a Trust Builder

A well-structured WISP does more than protect you from fines. It builds resilience, enhances client confidence and strengthens your brand.

I’ve seen firms transform how they talk about security and move from fear to pride. They no longer view compliance as an obligation but as a reflection of their professionalism.

When you show clients that protecting their data is part of your firm’s DNA, you elevate your role from service provider to trusted advisor.
The future of accounting belongs to firms that combine compliance, technology and trust.

SimplifyIT A-Z’s S.O.S. Framework

At SimplifyIT A-Z, we use what we call the S.O.S. Framework: Secure, Optimize, Support. It’s the same foundation I apply to WISP design:

• Secure: Protect sensitive data through layered defenses and proactive monitoring.
• Optimize: Use smart tools, like AI, to make compliance efficient
  and repeatable.
• Support: Educate your team so security becomes part of your culture, not just your checklist.

That’s how you turn compliance from a burden into a competitive edge.

Don’t Wait for a Regulation Change or Security Incident

If you haven’t reviewed your WISP lately, now’s the time. Don’t wait for a regulation change or a security incident.

Start small. Draft with AI. Validate with experts. Review annually. Each step you take strengthens your firm’s defenses and reputation.

Remember, compliance done right doesn’t have to be loud. Sometimes the best firms are the ones quietly crushing it, one smart safeguard at a time.

Fady Salama is the Founder and CEO of SimplifyIT A-Z, an ASCPA Preferred Provider and Phoenix-based managed IT and cybersecurity firm serving accounting, nonprofit, and professional services organizations. He helps CPA firms strengthen compliance and cybersecurity through practical technology strategies built on trust, clarity and continuous improvement. Learn more at www.simplifyita-z.com.