3 Major Benefits of a HITRUST Certification

The world of security regulations can often feel like alphabet soup, especially when it comes to healthcare. With HIPAA, HITECH, GDPR, NIST, FTC, ISO, COBIT, and PCI being just some of the regulations companies are recommended – or required – to comply by, you may be wondering if there’s another acronym to add to your list: HITRUST.

In this blog, we’ll explain what a HITRUST certification entails, as well as the benefits of achieving one.

What is HITRUST?

Chartered in 2007, HITRUST is a non-profit organization that was founded to help organizations minimize security threats and safeguard sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information, which is protected under various laws including HIPAA, the CCPA, and the GDPR. It itself is not a regulation. Rather, it’s a resource.

What does HITRUST do?

HITRUST Common Security Framework, more commonly referred to as the “CSF”, is a “certifiable framework that provides organizations with a comprehensive, flexible, and efficient approach to regulatory compliance and risk management.” Widely accepted both nationally and internationally, it includes prescriptive controls that streamline requirements for many major regulations, including the TISO, NIST, PCI, HIPAA, and CMMC, to name a few. Given that some laws are vague in their security and compliance requirements, the CSF may be used to help companies fill the gaps.

What are the benefits of a HITRUST certification?

1. Mature and improve security postureThe HITRUST CSF is among the most detailed and rigorous frameworks available. As such, a formal certification provides organizations an in-depth perspective of their current security framework, allowing them to identify and rectify any potential vulnerabilities, and strengthen their posture overall.
   
2. Meet demand and gain and competitive edgeIf your organization works in healthcare or is healthcare adjacent, you likely already have a client or vendor who requires a HITRUST certification prior to working with you. Achieving certification will not only allow your company to meet current demand, but it will also grant you additional credibility with future partners and, potentially, a competitive edge.
   
3. “Certify once, report many”Because the HITRUST CSF synthesizes many regulations’ requirements, it can be deemed a “certify once, report many” tool. This ultimately helps organizations save valuable time – and money – that could easily be spent ensuring compliance against multiple regulatory standards.

Ready to take the plunge and prepare your organization for HITRUST Certification? Read more about the certification process here, or get in touch with a member of our team below.