Founded in 2007, HITRUST initially provided a comprehensive framework for safeguarding protected health information (PHI) and electronic health records (EHR) in the medical industry. Since then, the HITRUST CSF has expanded to include the most widely applicable compliance requirements across numerous industries and organizational activities. Although there aren’t any specific HITRUST encryption requirements, some of the standards it includes—specifically, HIPAA—do require encryption. (more…)

With more than 20 individual processes, requirements, and standards under its umbrella, the HITRUST Alliance provides a centralized set of guidelines for professionals in the healthcare industry and beyond. Unfortunately, because it incorporates so many frameworks, many entities who take a HITRUST assessment failed their initial or secondary attempts. Thankfully, there are plenty of remediation strategies available—including retaking the test—for those who have yet to pass. (more…)

The HITRUST CSF can help organizations streamline compliance across multiple regulatory frameworks, address security gaps, and strengthen overall cybersecurity. Compliance with the HITRUST CSF may require your organization to complete a HITRUST Validated Assessment to verify adherence to HITRUST CSF controls. Read on to learn more. (more…)

Organizations seeking streamlined solutions to their regulatory compliance requirements often look to comprehensive frameworks. The HITRUST CSF, the National Institute for Standards and Technology’s Special Publication 800-53 (NIST SP 800-53), and the International Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical Commission’s joint ISO/IEC 27001 are three prime examples of one-size-fits-all compliance. But which is best for your organization? (more…)

Organizations within or adjacent to the healthcare industry encounter challenges in managing risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and the overall security of their digital infrastructure. HITRUST certification can help healthcare organizations streamline healthcare risk analysis, achieve required HIPAA compliance, and protect the integrity of sensitive protected health information (PHI).  (more…)

Organizations in any industry can benefit from threat intelligence, or information that helps identify, analyze, categorize, and ultimately mitigate cybersecurity threats. The HITRUST threat catalogue, a publication of the HITRUST Alliance, is designed with these aims in mind. It breaks down the most common and dangerous kinds of threats into manageable categories, so that an organization can swiftly determine how to address a given threat before it becomes a full event. (more…)

The HITRUST Common Security Framework, or HITRUST CSF, is a global, certifiable framework developed to aid organizations’ regulatory compliance efforts. In 2020, HITRUST CSF v9. 4 introduced several updates specific to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for US Department of Defense contractors. In September 2021, HITRUST v9. 4 was updated to v9. 5. What are the most significant changes in this latest version? (more…)

The HITRUST Approach covers four key strategies to achieve your information security risk management and compliance goals: “Identify & Define,” “Specify,” “Implement & Manage,” and “Assess & Report.” Corrective action plans (CAPs) are categorized under Assess and Report. CAP management allows you to synthesize your collection of self-assessments, gaps in compliance, and other CAP data into a reliable, manageable, and distributable format that’s flexible for your organization’s security needs. (more…)

One of the most comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks companies can implement is the HITRUST Alliance’s CSF. Full certification has many benefits, including streamlined compliance across other regulations and optimal security. Conducting a HITRUST Readiness Assessment, internally or with professional help, is one of the best ways to prepare for full implementation. (more…)

The HITRUST Alliance is a trusted cybersecurity institution that develops frameworks to help organizations optimize their cybersecurity programs, often with the help of a managed security services provider (MSSP). One of the most useful guidance documents HITRUST publishes is the HITRUST De-Identification Framework, which standardizes practices that apply primarily to healthcare institutions but are easily adaptable and scalable to organizations in any industry. (more…)