HITRUST is the go-to security framework for healthcare organizations. Certification is required in order to receive favorable treatment from regulators, and compliance with HITRUST standards has become one of the best ways to protect sensitive data.

But what exactly does it mean? And how can your organization achieve certification? These are questions that many IT professionals face when deciding whether or not to pursue HITRUST certification.

HITRUST is a set of comprehensive security standards that were originally developed specifically for the healthcare industry. The framework was created in collaboration with healthcare organizations, government agencies, and security experts, so it is uniquely tailored to the specific needs of the healthcare sector. Since its introduction, the HITRUST standard has added support for other compliance standards, including PCI/DSS (credit card security).

One of the key benefits of HITRUST certification is that it can help organizations meet regulatory requirements. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires healthcare organizations to protect patient data, and compliance with HITRUST standards can help organizations demonstrate that they are meeting this requirement.

The process of obtaining HITRUST certification can be complex and time-consuming. The first step people usually take is to try and become familiar with the HITRUST standards. If you’re not a professional, reading the HITRUST CSF, the HITRUST CSF Assessment Guidelines, and the HITRUST CSF Assessor Training Manual may be overwhelming. The official standard is available on the HITRUST website and gives you an indication of how big an effort it will take. Because HITRUST is very particular to the healthcare industry, it can be helpful to talk to people who had gone through this process.

Although you can’t become certified overnight, companies that want to achieve compliance should start by hiring a HITRUST CSF Assessor, who will guide them through the process from beginning to end.

If you’re looking to become HITRUST certified or want more information on the process, please contact us! We can walk you through everything and help you get started on the path to certification.