WISP Data Security Coordinator: Safeguarding Information and Ensuring Compliance

WISP Data Security Coordinator: Responsibilities and Compliance

A WISP (Written Information Security Program) Data Security Coordinator plays a crucial role in designing, implementing, and managing an organization’s information security program tailored to its size, complexity, and data sensitivity. These programs must align with regulatory frameworks to safeguard customer information, ensure confidentiality, and mitigate risks from potential threats or unauthorized access.

Key Responsibilities

1. Developing and Managing WISPs
   The coordinator creates a comprehensive security program that addresses the company’s unique activities, data sensitivity, and compliance needs. This includes writing policies that ensure the confidentiality and integrity of customer data.
2. Ensuring Regulatory Compliance
   They oversee adherence to industry and legal requirements such as HIPAA (health data protection), PCI DSS (credit card data security), Red Flag Rules (identity theft prevention), and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (credit information handling).
3. Mitigating Risks
   Through regular risk assessments, the coordinator identifies vulnerabilities, anticipates threats, and enforces policies to protect against security breaches. They establish protocols for remote access and align them with client requirements when applicable.
4. Implementing Best Practices
   By adhering to overlapping requirements across various data protection laws, the coordinator ensures that security best practices are integrated into daily operations, reducing redundancy while enhancing protection.
5. Records Retention and Management
   They ensure compliance with records retention laws by maintaining accurate, secure documentation of business activities over required timeframes.

Why Your Business Needs a WISP Coordinator

The objectives of a WISP Coordinator are clear:

• To secure customer information and uphold its confidentiality.
• To protect against foreseeable security threats and unauthorized access.
• To prevent substantial harm or inconvenience to customers due to data breaches.

These responsibilities are critical, especially for businesses subject to IRS guidelines, as well as those handling health, financial, or sensitive customer information. A WISP Data Security Coordinator ensures that your organization not only complies with regulations but also proactively implements robust safeguards against evolving cybersecurity threats.

Information resources to create and complete your Written Information Security Plan (WISP):

• I.R.S. Publication 1345 – Authorized IRS e-file Providers of Individual Income Tax Returns
• I.R.S. Publication 5709 – WISP Summary
• I.R.S. Publication 5708 – WISP Sample Plan
• I.R.S. Publication 4557 – Safeguarding Taxpayer Data
• I.R.S. Publication 5293 – Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself
• F.T.C. Data Breach Response Guide
• F.T.C. Data Breach Response Guide (PDF)
• F.T.C. on Privacy
• GLBA (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act)
• F.T.C. Safeguards Rule
• Records Retention
• HIPAA Security Rule
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• NIST 800-53 Standard
• NIST 800-53 Controls by Security Level