Why This Isn’t Just About Checking a Compliance Box
If you’re running an MSP, you’ve probably heard about Written Information Security Plans (WISPs). Maybe you’ve even created one—for certain clients, in certain industries, under certain regulations.
But here’s the question: Do all of your clients have one? And if not, why?
A WISP is far more than a document you pull together to satisfy HIPAA, the FTC Safeguards Rule, or PCI. It’s the central, documented proof of your client’s security program—what’s in place, who’s responsible, and how they respond when something goes wrong.
It’s also one of the most powerful tools you have to limit your own liability when the inevitable breach happens. Because when lawyers, regulators, or insurers start asking questions, a WISP is often the only thing standing between you and the blame.
Why Revisiting Your WISP Strategy Matters Now
The threat landscape has changed—and so have the expectations.
Cyberattacks are getting faster, smarter, and more destructive. Regulatory agencies are tightening enforcement. Cyber insurers are not only raising premiums but also denying claims for businesses that can’t prove they had proper controls in place.
If you’re only doing WISPs for “compliance clients,” you’re leaving a dangerous gap—not just for them, but for you.
When we analyze breach fallout for MSP-supported businesses, one common pattern emerges. The businesses with a WISP in place weather the storm far better. They can prove due diligence, validate their decisions, and keep regulators and insurers satisfied. The ones without spend weeks or months scrambling to piece together documentation after the fact—often too late to avoid lawsuits, fines, or coverage denials.
What a WISP Actually Does for Your Clients and You
A WISP establishes a compliance baseline. Whether or not your client is regulated, it aligns them with recognized security frameworks, making future compliance efforts faster, cheaper, and less disruptive.
It documents risk decisions. If you recommend MFA, EDR, or network segmentation and your client declines, the WISP records it. That’s your paper trail when an insurer or regulator asks why a certain control wasn’t in place.
It defines incident response before the incident. During a crisis, confusion is costly. A WISP outlines who does what, when, and how—reducing downtime and keeping operations on track.
It proves due diligence in court. Without documentation, it’s your word against theirs. A WISP can demonstrate that you provided expert recommendations and that the client knowingly accepted or rejected them.
It protects client relationships. When an MSP can walk into a post-incident meeting with an up-to-date WISP and a clear record of actions taken, they keep control of the conversation. Without it, the narrative slips—and so does the client.
The MSP Liability Trap
Too many MSPs believe their Master Services Agreement is enough to protect them. It’s not.
An MSA spells out what you do. It doesn’t prove what you advised. And when something goes wrong, failure to prove that you warned the client about the risk is all an attorney needs to allege negligence.
This is how MSPs with strong technical capabilities still get blindsided by lawsuits. Not because they failed to protect a network—but because they couldn’t prove they tried.
Why Clients Push Back and How to Get Them On Board
Some clients hear “WISP” and think “extra paperwork” or “overkill.” Others believe they’re already covered because they’re “too small” to be a target or have internal staff.
The key is to reframe the conversation. This isn’t about creating another binder. It’s about proving—without question—that you took every reasonable step to protect their business before something happened.
By shifting the conversation from compliance to survival, you help them see the WISP as business protection, not an IT expense.
The Financial Argument That Wins Buy-In
Clients respond when the financial risk becomes clear. Even one week of downtime can wipe out months of profit. A serious breach can cost up to 84 percent of future net-new sales. Nearly 44 percent of cyber insurance claims are denied due to missing or undocumented controls. A mid-size business could easily face a $350,000 or larger settlement after a breach.
When you present those numbers, the cost of creating and maintaining a WISP looks small in comparison.
The Good News: This Doesn’t Have to Be Hard
Many MSPs avoid doing WISPs for all clients because they think it’s too time-consuming or complex. But with the right process, it can be streamlined and repeatable.
Our One-Click WISP solution lets you instantly generate a compliant, regulator-ready WISP for any client. You can customize it to their specific risk profile and environment, automatically document approvals, refusals, and policy changes, and keep everything versioned and up-to-date with minimal effort.
It’s not another project—it’s an operational habit that protects both you and your clients.
Get that WISP Implemented
A WISP is more than a compliance requirement. It’s a liability shield, a trust builder, and a business continuity plan wrapped into one.
If you’re not delivering one for every client, you’re leaving gaps in their security, in your documentation, and in your legal defense.
Reconsider your WISP strategy. Make it standard. And with modern tools, it’s easier than ever to do it in one click.
The only thing worse than a breach is wishing you had the proof to defend yourself after it happens.
