TheSolutionsApp.com Preparer Compliance Tool

The IRS & FTC Have Spoken.

Tax preparers are now required by federal law to have a Written Information Security Plan (WISP). Non-compliance is not an option.

What is the "Safeguards Rule"?

Under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), professional tax preparers are defined as "financial institutions." The FTC Safeguards Rule requires you to develop, implement, and maintain an information security program.

This isn't just a suggestion. It's a requirement to renew your PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number).

Key Requirements:

  • Designate a security coordinator.
  • Conduct a risk assessment.
  • Implement safeguards (Encryption, MFA, etc.).
  • Monitor and test your safeguards.

The Consequences of Inaction

Without a WISP and the technical tools to back it up, your firm faces significant exposure.

Estimated impact of a single data breach event for a small firm.

Why IDShield?

You are a tax expert, not a cybersecurity expert. IDShield provides the tools, technology, and consultation needed to satisfy the technical components of a WISP, allowing you to focus on returns, not ransomware.

Compliance Gap Analyzer

Check off the security measures you currently have in place to see your WISP readiness score.

Technical Safeguards Checklist

Readiness Score

Critical Risk

Your firm is missing key technical safeguards required by the IRS WISP.

The IDShield Ecosystem

IDShield, powered by Trend Micro™, maps directly to the "Technical Safeguards" section of your WISP. Click on a feature to see how it ensures compliance.

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Folder Guard

WISP Section: Technical Safeguards

The Problem: Ransomware is the #1 threat to tax firms. Hackers encrypt your client files and demand payment. The IRS specifically warns about this.

The Solution: Folder Guard restricts access to your critical document folders. Only authorized applications can modify these files. If a ransomware script tries to encrypt your tax returns, Folder Guard blocks it instantly.

Compliance Benefit:

Satisfies requirements for "protecting against unauthorized access" and "maintaining data integrity" mandated by FTC Safeguards.

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Trend Micro™ Security

WISP Section: System Monitoring

The Problem: Free antivirus isn't enough. You need cloud-based, AI-driven protection that learns from global threats instantly.

The Solution: IDShield partners with Trend Micro to provide enterprise-level endpoint protection. This includes:

  • Pay Guard: Secures financial transactions.
  • Anti-Phishing: Blocks malicious links in emails (the top entry point for breaches).
  • Cloud-Based Scanning: Doesn't slow down your tax software.

Compliance Benefit:

Directly addresses the WISP requirement to "detect, prevent, and respond to attacks, intrusions, or other system failures."

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Dark Web Monitoring

WISP Section: Risk Assessment

The Problem: Breaches often happen months before they are detected. Credentials sold on the dark web allow hackers to bypass your firewall.

The Solution: We scour the dark web for your email addresses, business credit cards, and personal data. If your credentials appear in a data dump, you are alerted immediately so you can change passwords.

Compliance Benefit:

Demonstrates proactive "continuous monitoring," a key tenet of a mature WISP.

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Full Restoration

WISP Section: Response Plan

The Problem: If a breach happens, who do you call? The IRS requires you to have an Incident Response Plan.

The Solution: IDShield provides access to Licensed Private Investigators. We don't just give you advice; we do the work to restore your business identity and help you navigate the aftermath of a breach.

Compliance Benefit:

Fulfills the requirement to have a plan for "responding to security events."