Without proper attribution, it steals the ideas, the work and the efforts of another writer and declares them your own.
Attribution is very simple to add to your writing and protects your reputation, your integrity and your job prospects.
A white paper is similar to a research paper, requires correct attribution and should provide the reader with a guide or a how to on the subject matter of the white paper.
Remember, attribution takes less than a sentence, but accusations of plagiarism can't be undone with hundreds of sentences.
Although the Hill sisters were credited as authors of Good Morning to All, the first few publications of the Happy Birthday Song in songbooks contained no author or copyright attribution.