HITRUST

HITRUST CSF is a comprehensive, certifiable security framework that integrates and harmonizes requirements from multiple standards including HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST, and PCI DSS.

HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) provides a certifiable framework that organizations can implement to meet multiple regulatory and industry requirements.

HITRUST assessment types: - e1 (Essential): 44 controls, 1-year validity, verified assessment - i1 (Implemented): 182 controls, 1-year validity, validated assessment - r2 (Risk-based): Full scope, 2-year validity, comprehensive assessment

Key features: - Maps to 40+ security and privacy regulations - Risk-based approach to control selection - Third-party validated certifications - Healthcare industry focus but applicable broadly - Continuous improvement with annual updates

HITRUST vs SOC 2: - HITRUST is a certification; SOC 2 is an attestation - HITRUST specifies exactly what controls are required - HITRUST is more prescriptive but more complex - Many organizations do both for comprehensive coverage

Why It Matters

HITRUST is increasingly required by healthcare organizations and their business associates because it harmonizes 40+ regulatory frameworks into a single certifiable assessment. For companies in the healthcare supply chain, HITRUST certification can replace multiple individual compliance efforts—demonstrating HIPAA, NIST, and ISO 27001 alignment in one assessment. The r2 certification's 2-year validity also reduces audit fatigue compared to annual SOC 2 cycles.

Key Points

Harmonizes multiple frameworks (HIPAA, ISO, NIST, PCI)

Three assessment levels: e1, i1, r2

Certifiable through third-party assessment

Popular in healthcare but increasingly required in other sectors

More prescriptive than SOC 2

Applicable Compliance Frameworks

HIPAA ISO 27001 PCI DSS

Related Terms

HIPAA

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a US federal law that establishes standards for protecting sensitive patient health information (PHI) from disclosure without consent.

SOC 2

SOC 2 is an auditing framework developed by AICPA that evaluates how service organizations manage customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria.

ISO 27001

ISO 27001 is an international standard for information security management systems (ISMS), providing a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information.