HITRUST Overview

Health Information Trust Alliance

What is HITRUST?

HITRUST (Health Information Trust Alliance) is a healthcare industry organization that provides a comprehensive, prescriptive, and certifiable framework for information security and risk management. The HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is designed to help healthcare organizations manage information security and compliance requirements efficiently.

HITRUST CSF harmonizes and rationalizes healthcare-relevant information security standards and regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, NIST, and others. It provides a standardized approach to information security and risk management for healthcare organizations.

HITRUST CSF Framework

Framework Structure

19 Control Categories

Comprehensive security control categories covering all aspects of information security

156 Control Objectives

Specific control objectives that must be achieved to meet compliance requirements

200+ Control Specifications

Detailed control specifications with implementation guidance and requirements

Control Categories

  • • Access Control
  • • Audit Logging & Monitoring
  • • Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
  • • Configuration Management
  • • Data Protection & Privacy
  • • Education, Training & Awareness
  • • Endpoint Protection
  • • Incident Management
  • • Information Protection Program
  • • Mobile Device Security
  • • Network Protection
  • • Password Management
  • • Personnel Security
  • • Physical & Environmental Security
  • • Risk Assessment
  • • Secure Development
  • • Third Party Security
  • • Vulnerability Management

HITRUST Implementation Levels

Level 1: Basic

Basic security controls for low-risk environments

  • • 19 control categories
  • • 156 control objectives
  • • Basic implementation requirements
  • • Self-assessment

Level 2: Intermediate

Enhanced security controls for moderate-risk environments

  • • All Level 1 controls
  • • Additional control specifications
  • • Enhanced implementation requirements
  • • Third-party assessment

Level 3: Advanced

Comprehensive security controls for high-risk environments

  • • All Level 2 controls
  • • Maximum control specifications
  • • Comprehensive implementation
  • • Full third-party assessment

HITRUST Assessment Types

Self-Assessment

  • Internal assessment of security controls
  • Self-reported compliance status
  • Gap analysis and remediation planning
  • No external validation required

Validated Assessment

  • Third-party assessment by HITRUST assessor
  • Independent validation of controls
  • HITRUST CSF Validated Assessment Report
  • Valid for 2 years

Certified Assessment

  • Comprehensive third-party assessment
  • HITRUST CSF Certification
  • Public certification status
  • Valid for 2 years with annual interim assessment

Key HITRUST Requirements

Information Protection Program

  • Formal information security program
  • Security policies and procedures
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Security awareness and training

Access Control

  • User access management and provisioning
  • Privileged access controls
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Access review and recertification

Data Protection

  • Data classification and handling
  • Encryption of data at rest and in transit
  • Data loss prevention
  • Secure data disposal

Monitoring and Incident Response

  • Security monitoring and logging
  • Incident response procedures
  • Business continuity planning
  • Regular security testing

HITRUST Implementation Process

1

Scope Definition

Define the scope of the HITRUST assessment and identify applicable controls.

2

Gap Analysis

Assess current security controls against HITRUST requirements and identify gaps.

3

Remediation

Implement missing controls and address identified security gaps.

4

Assessment

Conduct self-assessment or engage third-party assessor for validation.

5

Certification

Obtain HITRUST certification and maintain ongoing compliance.

Benefits of HITRUST Certification

  • Comprehensive healthcare security framework
  • Regulatory compliance (HIPAA, HITECH, etc.)
  • Industry recognition and trust
  • Reduced audit burden and complexity
  • Competitive advantage in healthcare market

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