Your Crash Course To HITRUST CSF Assessment Types

This blog will cover the three types of HITRUST CSF certifications. It will also cover what you can expect to achieve upon completion of each type of assessment and general guidelines of which assessment is best for your organization.

Cybersecurity
Your Crash Course To HITRUST CSF Assessment Types

Through the course of this blog you will learn key differences between the three types of HITRUST CSF certifications. We will also cover what you can expect to achieve upon completion of each type of assessment, as well as general guidelines of which assessment is best suited for you depending on the needs of your organization.

What is HITRUST?

When established in 2007, HITRUST CSF was the solution to a growing need for a standardized framework for healthcare organizations to ensure security for sensitive patient data and to meet the industry's regulatory requirements. What sets a HITRUST certification apart is its high levels of adaptability and its comprehensiveness for businesses to get an evaluation specific to their needs.

With data breaches constantly on the rise, HITRUST CSF’s robust set of controls incorporates various standards, regulations, and best practices to provide a security framework that meets the needs of the healthcare industry.

See also: HITRUST Assessment Basics

Understanding the 3 HITRUST CSF Assessment Types:

There are 3 types of HITRUST CSF assessments offered based on the levels of assurance you need to protect your business.

HITRUST e1 (Essentials, 1-year) Validated Assessment:

HITRUST e1 is a beginner-friendly, time-efficient step towards safeguarding your business in the digital landscape.

By adopting e1, businesses undergo a streamlined process focusing on 44 essential controls, making it efficient and less time-consuming. Upon completion, this assures that the business is equipped with vital cybersecurity measures and establishes trust among partners and customers.

The HITRUST e1 assessment is a foundational cybersecurity certification tailored for businesses aiming for solid digital protection without the complexities of extensive assessments.

An e1 HITRUST certification will, on average, take 4-6 months to complete from start to finish.

What you can expect upon completing a HITRUST e1 certification:

  • Cyber Threat Protection: Enhanced defenses against evolving digital threats like phishing, brute force attacks, and ransomware.
  • Essential Control Implementation: Streamlined focus on 44 fundamental cybersecurity controls to fortify business data and operations.
  • Vendor & Third-Party Assurance: Elevate trustworthiness in the eyes of partners, vendors, and stakeholders by showcasing a commitment to cybersecurity.
  • Regulatory Alignment: Assurance practices align with respected standards like CISA Cyber Essentials and NIST, ensuring compliance and minimizing risk.
  • Risk Management: Efficiently identify, address, and mitigate potential security risks, fostering a safer business environment.

HITRUST e1 may be a good fit for you if:

  • Small Business Goals: You run a smaller company or are just starting up and want to show customers you care about their data.
  • Just Starting Out: You're new to cybersecurity implementation and need an approachable first step.
  • Limited Time & Resources: You want a straightforward check-up without too much fuss or fancy jargon.
  • Building Trust with Partners: You want your business partners to know you're taking steps to keep shared information safe.
  • Thinking of the Future: You plan to get more serious about cybersecurity later on but want a beginner-friendly starting point now.

HITRUST i1 (Implemented, 1-year) Validated Assessment

The HITRUST i1 Validated Assessment provides businesses with a comprehensive solution to protect against current and emerging cyber threats. By leveraging the HITRUST CSF framework, companies can access adaptable controls tailored to their specific needs. This ensures that the company is guarded against potential cyber risks and signals to stakeholders a commitment to leading security practices. Furthermore, the i1 streamlines the certification process with an operational focus, enabling businesses to achieve cybersecurity maturity more efficiently.

For business owners, achieving the i1 certification can significantly bolster your cybersecurity measures. With an emphasis on leading security practices, it offers broader protection against diverse threats and a streamlined assessment process. Additionally, this certification is versatile; it serves both as a solid final cybersecurity destination and a stepping stone towards more advanced HITRUST certifications, depending on a company's unique needs.

An i1 HITRUST certification will, on average, 6-8 months to complete. The actual length depends on how far along the preparation process your organization is when we start working together.

What you can expect from achieving HITRUST i1 certification:

  • Leading Security Practices: A comprehensive cybersecurity program that evolves based on regular threat intelligence analysis.
  • Higher Reliability: Offers more substantial assurances compared to similar assessments, ensuring trustworthiness.
  • Streamlined Process: Focuses on the practical implementation, allowing for efficient information security maturity.
  • Rapid Recertification: Simplified process for renewal, ensuring continuous protection without excessive overheads.

HITRUST i1 May Be A Good Fit For You If:

  • Seeking Strong Protection: You want broad protection against both current and emerging cyber threats.
  • Looking for Credibility: You aim to reassure stakeholders with a recognized and trusted certification.
  • Considering Future Growth: You see the i1 as either a conclusive cybersecurity goal or a step towards more advanced certifications.
  • Efficiency Matters: You prefer a certification process emphasizing operational efficiency and speed.

HITRUST r2 (Risk-Based, 2-year) Validated Assessment:

The HITRUST r2 Validated Assessment is a solution tailored for businesses looking to achieve the highest level of information protection and compliance assurance. The assessment, with its expanded practices approach, not only offers a definitive standard for data security but is also distinguished as the industry's gold standard. The risk-based methodology employed by HITRUST allows businesses to opt for a tailored assessment process that addresses their unique needs, ensuring the most comprehensive cybersecurity assurance.

This assessment benefits entities dealing with third and even fourth-party vendors, as these external parties can introduce additional information security risks. By leveraging the HITRUST r2, organizations can effectively reduce vendor-related risks, ensuring their sensitive information remains protected. Furthermore, the assessment offers a clear progression pathway, allowing businesses to start with preliminary assessments and progressively achieve higher assurance levels by sharing common control requirements across different HITRUST assessments.

An r2 HITRUST certification takes, on average, 12-14 months to complete the primary assessment. Once that has been completed, your interim assessment will be scheduled within the next year, which takes an additional 2-4 months to complete.

What can I expected from achieving HITRUST r2 certification?

  • Industry Recognition: The r2 assessment is globally recognized as the industry's gold standard, providing utmost confidence in an organization's cybersecurity measures.
  • Adaptive Cyber Threat Protection: A dynamic approach that adjusts to emerging risks, including phishing, brute force, and ransomware.
  • Efficient and Consistent Assessments: The HITRUST CSF® framework allows businesses to save time and resources by reusing scoring work and comments from prior assessments.
  • Enhanced Third-Party Risk Management: Specifically designed to address risks introduced by third and fourth-party vendors.
  • In-depth Information Protection: Offers the most detailed and rigorous assessment, bridging potential gaps and deficiencies in an organization's cybersecurity protocols.

HITRUST r2 might be a good fit for you if:

  • You Deal with Multiple Vendors: Especially if these vendors handle sensitive information like Personal Identifiable Information (PII) or Protected Health Information (PHI).
  • You Require Comprehensive Cybersecurity Assurance: Organizations aiming for the highest level of data protection assurance will find the r2 assessment particularly beneficial.
  • You're Navigating Complex Regulatory Requirements: Especially relevant for entities subject to regulations such as NIST, PCI DSS, HIPAA, among others.
  • You're Aiming for Continuous Improvement: The r2 offers a clear progression pathway, allowing businesses to scale their cybersecurity measures over time.
  • You Value Industry Recognition: Being compliant with the r2 assessment sends a strong message to stakeholders about your commitment to data security.

How SecurityMetrics makes e1, i1, and r2 achievable goals for your organization:

HITRUST CSF helps you achieve high levels of cybersecurity, but that doesn’t come without some levels of complexity. Regardless of which assessment type you want to take on, SecurityMetrics’ goal is to make HITRUST CSF as hassle-free as possible.

Let Us Simplify HITRUST Compliance For You

Navigating HITRUST can feel overwhelming, especially when there's so much on your plate already. Don't worry, our expert assessors at SecurityMetrics won't just guide you – we’ll take the reins. We’ll handle the intricacies of HITRUST, ensuring you get certified without drowning in the details. You focus on your business, and we'll ensure you meet compliance standards.

Achieve Peace of Mind With Our Expertise

We know how daunting a HITRUST CSF Assessment can feel. That's why our seasoned assessors are here to give you peace of mind. Their extensive experience and meticulous attention mean you won't have to face the challenges of HITRUST alone. By choosing SecurityMetrics, you sidestep the hurdles of missed deadlines and unclear requirements.

Experience Clear Reporting and Hassle-Free Certification

Whether you want to be hands-on or prefer us to take the lead, we adjust to your needs. Our transparent reporting ensures you're always in the loop, and understand every stage of your certification journey. With SecurityMetrics, you get clarity, timely results, and a smooth certification process.

Get Value-Driven Pricing Just For You

Why pay more than you need? Our personalized pricing ensures you're only investing in what's necessary for your certification. Every dollar is well-spent, giving you the best value.

Stay Ahead With Our Up-to-Date Training

Cyber threats evolve, but so do we. At SecurityMetrics, we arm you with the latest training and resources. From informative blogs and free webinars to in-depth workforce training, we equip you to stay a step ahead of potential threats.

Benefit from Award-Winning Support At Your Fingertips

Whenever you have concerns or queries, our top-notch support team is ready and eager to help. With our award-winning communication, you're never left in the dark.

Receive Expert Advice to Fortify Your Data Security

Our aim at SecurityMetrics goes beyond just helping you pass the HITRUST Assessment. Drawing from our vast experience in data security, we'll pinpoint vulnerabilities in your network and recommend effective solutions. Trust in our expertise to keep your data safe.

For additional information, take a look at our HITRUST Data Sheet, or request a quote to get started on your HITRUST CSF journey today.

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