As organizations face increasing pressure to demonstrate robust cybersecurity and privacy practices, the Health Information Trust Alliance’s Common Security Framework (HITRUST CSF) has emerged as a leading framework for managing risk, meeting compliance obligations, and providing customers with confidence in knowing their personal information and data are secure.
Developed in 2007 for the healthcare industry, HITRUST CSF now integrates multiple standards and regulations into a single, certifiable framework that supports organizations across various industries.
What Is HITRUST CSF?
The HITRUST CSF is a certifiable risk management and compliance framework that consolidates requirements from authoritative sources, including ISO, NIST, HIPAA, PCI and GDPR. It was designed to reduce the complexity of compliance by harmonizing these standards into a single, scalable structure.
The framework is structured around 14 control categories, 49 control objectives and 156 control references, supported by more than 1,900 requirement statements. These are distributed across 19 assessment domains, including access control, vulnerability management and data protection.
Benefits of HITRUST CSF
HITRUST is not just about checking boxes; it’s about building a culture of security and trust. The framework has been widely adopted in healthcare, but its reach extends far beyond. Financial services, higher education, retail and IT service providers are increasingly leveraging HITRUST to streamline compliance and strengthen their security posture.
One of the key advantages of HITRUST is the “assess once, report many” approach. Organizations can use a single HITRUST assessment to satisfy multiple regulatory and contractual requirements, reducing audit fatigue and improving efficiency.
3 HITRUST Certification Pathways
HITRUST offers three certification options tailored to different organizational needs:
- e1 Certification focuses on foundational cybersecurity hygiene and includes 44 controls. It is ideal for startups or low-risk entities and is valid for one year.
- i1 Certification includes 182 controls and targets medium-risk organizations. It emphasizes leading security practices and is valid for one year.
- r2 Certification is the most comprehensive, with the number of controls determined by scoping factors. It assesses policy, procedure and implementation maturity levels and is valid for two years, with an interim assessment required.
Each certification level varies in effort, assurance and cost, allowing organizations to choose the path that aligns with their risk profile and maturity.
|
e1 |
i1 |
r2 |
|
|
Level of Effort |
Low | Moderate | High |
|
Level of Assurance |
Low | Moderate | High |
|
Assessment Cost |
$ | $$ | $$$ |
|
Number of Controls |
44 | 182 | Varies, ~300 Average |
|
Must Use Current Version |
Yes | Yes | No |
|
Maturity Levels |
Implemented | Implemented | Policy, Procedure, Implement — Req Measured & Managed — Optional |
|
Assessment Length |
~1 – 3 Months | ~2 – 3 Months | ~3 Months |
|
Certification Length |
1 Year | 1 Year Rapid Recertification (Year 2) | 2 Years Interim Assessment (Year 2) |
|
Target Organization |
Small Organizations Low Risk/Complexity Minimal Infosec Processes |
Medium to Large Organizations Medium Risks/Complexity Established Infosec Processes |
Large Organizations High Risk/Complexity Mature Infosec Processes |
HITRUST assessments evaluate organizations across five maturity levels: policy, procedure, implemented, measured and managed. Each level contributes a weighted percentage to the overall score. To achieve certification, organizations must meet minimum scoring thresholds across all domains. For example, the r2 certification requires a minimum score of 62% per domain.
HITRUST Timeframes and Readiness
The time commitment for HITRUST will vary depending on the type of certification an organization is obtaining. The level of effort for each certification varies. Validated assessments must be completed within 90 days of fieldwork initiation. Remediated controls must operate for a minimum period — 60 days for policies and procedures, and 90 days for implemented controls — before they can be tested.
Organizations are encouraged to begin with a readiness or self-assessment to identify gaps and prepare for certification. The readiness process can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete, depending on the assessment type, to verify that all requirements are addressed in policy, procedure and implementation, with supporting evidence. The thoroughness of the readiness assessment directly affects the effort level required for the validated assessment.
Selecting an Assessor Firm for HITRUST Compliance
Using an external assessor is not only a requirement for obtaining a HITRUST certification, but choosing the right external assessor is a critical step in the journey. Authorized HITRUST assessor firms must meet rigorous criteria, including maintaining certified personnel and undergoing regular quality reviews. Organizations should evaluate potential partners based on their experience, methodology and industry focus.
Your Guide Forward
As a HITRUST-approved external assessor firm, Cherry Bekaert’s Cybersecurity practice offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to organizations pursuing HITRUST certification. With deep experience in IT audit, cybersecurity compliance and third-party attestation, we provide readiness assessments, validated assessments and advisory support.
Our team is comprised of Certified CSF Practitioners (CCSFPs) and Certified HITRUST Quality Professionals (CHQPs), who bring both technical knowledge and practical experience to the table, enabling you to navigate the complexities of HITRUST with confidence and clarity.
Related Insights
- Podcast: HITRUST 101: Understanding the Basics
- Webinar Recording: HITRUST CSF: A Comprehensive Overview
