Get to Know the 19 HITRUST Domains

When organizations pursue HITRUST certification, one of the first questions they ask is: “What are the HITRUST domains?” HITRUST developed its framework—the HITRUST CSF—to bring together multiple standards and regulations into a single, certifiable model for managing risk and protecting sensitive data.

At the heart of the HITRUST CSF are 19 HITRUST domains, which form the foundation for evaluating security and compliance readiness. Each domain addresses a different aspect of data security, governance, or risk management, ensuring a holistic approach to protecting sensitive information.

In this article, we’ll walk through each of the 19 HITRUST domains, explain why they matter, and highlight how they strengthen your organization’s ability to safeguard data.

The 19 HITRUST Domains

1. Information Protection Program: This domain establishes the core policies, procedures, and governance for an organization’s overall information security program.
2. Endpoint Protection: This focuses on securing all devices that connect to the network, such as laptops, desktops, and servers, from malware and other threats.
3. Portable Media Security: This domain addresses the risks associated with portable storage devices like USB drives and external hard drives, enforcing controls to prevent data loss.
4. Mobile Device Security: The fourth domain covers the security of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, including policies for bring-your-own-device (BYOD) and remote wipe capabilities.
5. Wireless Security: This domain deals with securing wireless networks and protecting against unauthorized access and data interception.
6. Configuration Management: This domain ensures that all systems and applications are configured securely to prevent vulnerabilities and unauthorized changes.
7. Vulnerability Management: For this domain, organizations are required to identify, assess, and remediate vulnerabilities in their systems and software.
8. Network Protection: This focuses on securing the network infrastructure itself using firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and network segmentation.
9. Transmission Protection: This domain is dedicated to protecting data while it’s in transit between systems, typically through encryption.
10. Password Management: This addresses the policies and procedures for creating, storing, and managing strong passwords and credentials.
11. Access Control: The eleventh domain ensures that users have the appropriate level of access to data and systems based on their roles and responsibilities.
12. Audit Logging and Monitoring: This domain covers the collection, review, and analysis of logs to detect and respond to security events and unauthorized activity.
13. Education, Training, and Awareness: Under this domain, organizations focus on training employees on security best practices to reduce the risk of human error and social engineering.
14. Third-Party Assurance: This domain addresses the management of security risks introduced by vendors and third-party partners who have access to an organization’s data.
15. Incident Management: For this domain, organizations must establish a formal plan for responding to security breaches and incidents, including procedures for containment, mitigation, and recovery.
16. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: This domain ensures that critical business functions can continue to operate and recover after a disruptive event.
17. Risk Management: This requires organizations to conduct regular risk assessments and implement appropriate controls to manage and mitigate identified risks.
18. Physical and Environmental Security: This focuses on the physical protection of IT assets and facilities, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental monitoring.
19. Data Protection and Privacy: This domain is dedicated to the protection of sensitive data, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations like HIPAA and GDPR through data classification and encryption.

Key Why the HITRUST 19 Domains MatterBetween HITRUST e1, i1, and r2

Together, the HITRUST domains provide a comprehensive security framework that balances people, processes, and technology. By addressing everything from governance to encryption to incident response, HITRUST ensures that organizations don’t leave gaps in their data protection strategy.

For businesses in highly regulated industries like healthcare, financial services, and defense, demonstrating alignment with the HITRUST 19 domains provides assurance to regulators, partners, and customers that sensitive data is being protected to the highest standard.

Understanding the HITRUST 19 domains is a critical step in preparing for HITRUST certification and building a resilient security program. Each domain plays a unique role in reducing risk, maintaining compliance, and ensuring your organization can protect the sensitive data entrusted to you.At IS Partners, we help organizations streamline their HITRUST readiness journey with expert guidance and proven audit methodologies. If you’re preparing for HITRUST certification, we can help you align with each domain to build a strong, certifiable security program.

About The Author

Philip LaRocca

Philip joined IS Partners as a senior consultant in financial data management and IT auditing. He has worked his way up in the firm and earned numerous certifications, including CISA, CRISC, and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and is a member of ISACA and the Institute of Internal Auditors.