Boost Your Credibility: The Benefits of HITRUST Certification

5 Key Benefits of HITRUST Certification

Obtaining HITRUST certification is an important way to communicate that information security and privacy are necessary and a priority for your organization. Business partners, third-party companies, and regulatory agencies recognize this commitment.

Since the HITRUST CSF Certification process is no longer exclusive to the healthcare industry, its importance has also significantly increased. In addition to healthcare organizations, businesses handling sensitive customer data can now implement HITRUST CSF controls.

Below, we highlight each of the essential benefits that HITRUST certification offers to businesses.

Data Security

Today, organizations of all sizes and all types must take steps to protect themselves from constantly evolving cyberattacks. The cybersecurity threat is real, and data breaches occur alarmingly regularly.

The HITRUST assessment process guides an organization in:

1. Identifying the level of cybersecurity protection currently maintained by the organization to safeguard PHI and other regulated data,
2. Analyzing the effectiveness of current security controls and
3. Implementing effective controls.

Certification verifies that appropriate controls are in place to maintain security while freely exchanging regulated data as part of normal business operations.

On-Going Improvement and Updates

Using the maturity model, the HITRUST approach to evaluating control maturity also encourages continual improvement for the cybersecurity program. Each level of the model builds upon the previous one, allowing the organization to increase control effectiveness over time.

Plus, HITRUST certification requirements constantly evolve to keep organizations compliant with the latest regulations. Updates and new versions are also released to account for changes in technologies and vulnerabilities.

The HITRUST CSF v 11.3.0 was released in April 2024. This version builds upon the previous version’s approach to adapting the framework to evolving cybersecurity threats and streamlining the compliance process for businesses.

Compliance Efficiency Across Frameworks

Organizations are always more reliant on technology for data storage and transmission. In turn, regulations work to protect consumer and patient privacy. Federal and state regulations are designed to mitigate security threats while ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data created, received, maintained, or transmitted.

The HITRUST Assurance Program streamlines compliance documentation, testing, and reporting. It combines other existing standards and regulations, including NISTFTC, into a comprehensive and flexible framework yet is also flexible and scalable. It can be tailored to fit companies of any size and operating in different industries.

When asked about the long-term financial benefits of HITRUST certification, Samantha Salomon, Director of Operations at I.S. Partners, highlighted this,

“HITRUST certification helps ensure that robust security measures are in place, significantly reducing the risk of data breaches. The cost of a data breach can be substantial, including legal fees, regulatory fines, and damage to reputation. 

HITRUST certification also helps meet regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, GDPR, etc. This can prevent costly fines and penalties associated with non-compliance.

Additionally, organizations can streamline their audit processes, reducing the time and resources needed to demonstrate compliance to auditors and regulators.”

Samantha Salomon, Director of Operations, I.S. Partners

With the HITRUST assessment process, organizations can ensure that controls meet the standards most used in their industry. The program makes the compliance process clearer, more efficient, and cost-effective even for federal agency rules and international regulations. It helps to comply seamlessly with overlapping regulatory requirements from these regulations.

This aspect makes HITRUST a good foundational cybersecurity framework for various businesses in different industries.

Third-Party Risk Management

Organizations rely on outsourcing companies for a wide range of services. Though these entities increase the organization’s efficiency, those with access to their internal network and sensitive data can potentially increase security and privacy risks. This is why covered entities are required to assess third parties’ privacy and security practices, risk management practices, and compliance with regulations.

The HITRUST framework defines a process for validating compliance through third-party risk management. Thanks to simplified and standardized reporting, participating organizations can more easily demonstrate their compliance through a single assessment and certification. The HITRUST Program encourages transparency, accuracy, and consistency in evaluating the presence and effectiveness of security controls.

Building Trust

By committing to performing regular HITRUST assessments and obtaining certification, your organization proves to its business associates, partners, patients, and/or clients that it meets the high-security standards outlined by the framework.

Certification assures all stakeholders that the organization is appropriately managing risk. HITRUST is a reliable benchmark and a trusted symbol of a perpetual commitment to protecting security and privacy.

This aspect serves as a competitive advantage for your businesses. It gives you leverage over other organizations, as being HITRUST certified is a globally recognized achievement.

Achieving and Maintaining HITRUST Certification

To achieve certification, the entity must successfully complete a validated assessment and meet all necessary minimum requirements for certification to demonstrate compliance. The entire HITRUST certification process can be summarized into 4 easy steps:

1. Readiness assessment
2. Remediation
3. Validated assessment
4. HITRUST’s Quality Assurance Review & Report

The HITRUST External Assessor oversees the assessment results and testing procedures reviewed, approved, and certified by HITRUST. Certification is valid for two years, pending the completion of an interim assessment within 12 months.

Maintaining your HITRUST compliance status is a continuous task that requires close monitoring of requirements and regular risk assessments. Team up with I.S. Partners to proactively ensure that your company is consistently compliant with HITRUST requirements.

Can you fail the HITRUST Certification?

Yes, it is possible to fail a HITRUST certification. The process involves strict rules and requires rigorous efforts from aspiring companies. The certification process requires organizations to pass r2 and i1 assessments with 62% and 83%, respectively, on all 19 domains. Failing in only one domain means that the certification is off the table.

Here are some factors that can lead to failing the HITRUST certification process.

• Incomplete and Inadequate Documentation. Failure to document the assessment and the applied controls can trigger HITRUST’s Quality Assurance review and result in failure.
• Lack of Sufficient Implementation. In addition to proper documentation, the organization must be able to demonstrate that controls are operating effectively and properly. Failure to demonstrate satisfactory implementation can result in failed certification.
• Incorrect Application of Scoring Rubrice. Misapplying the HITRUST Control Maturity Scoring Rubric when self-scoring, either by the entity or assessor, can lead to scores appearing in the certification range while controls are not implemented to the required degree.
• Inadequate Remediation Efforts. Failure to address gaps after the initial assessment can derail the certification process.
• Lack of Monitoring Systems. HITRUST requires ongoing maintenance to uphold certification, including an interim assessment after 12 months for r2. Failure to show proof of monitoring can lead to losing the certification status.

Partner with a trusted and HITRUST-certified assessor, like I.S. Partners, to ensure that your compliance efforts won’t go to waste. With over 20 years of experience in the compliance industry, our experts can guide you toward an efficient certification process.

Is It Possible to Lose Certification?

Yes, the certification can be revoked. Certification may be suspended if the HITRUST committee finds evidence of a breach that affects HITRUST-required controls.

Organizations are required to monitor security controls even after certification is achieved. If they suspect a security incident or a data breach, they must notify HITRUST. This will allow HITRUST’s Compliance team to investigate the issue.

Following de-certification, the organization can submit an analysis of the breach and a corrective action plan to HITRUST for review. If approved, certification status can be reinstated, though the organization will need to complete annual assessments for the next two years to maintain it.

I.S. Partners Is Your Partner for HITRUST Compliance Success

Compliance with internationally recognized standards, such as HITRUST, does so much more than protect sensitive data handling. It offers recognition by other companies and business partners and a wide range of competitive advantages for your business.

The main hurdle with compliance with HITRUST is finding the best way to start your process and identifying focus areas. I.S. Partners can assist your company in preparing for and performing HITRUST assessments. Whether it’s the first time or your certification has expired, our team of auditing experts will help you every step of the way.

Ensure your compliance requirements are prepared efficiently to avoid delays and streamline the process with our help.

To understand what it will take for your organization to become HITRUST Certified, contact the I.S. Partners team or request a quotation.