HITRUST CSF: one certification, every major standard covered
HITRUST CSF is the dominant security certification in healthcare, unifying HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS into a single certifiable framework. Organizations pursuing HITRUST demonstrate a mature, validated security program that satisfies multiple regulatory requirements at once. BlackSheep tracks every control and keeps your assessment evidence organized.
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14
Controls tracked
6
Control domains
v11.3
Current version
3
Assessment types (e1, i1, r2)
Six domains of HITRUST CSF controls
HITRUST CSF organizes requirements into control domains that map across HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and other standards.
Information Protection Program
3 controls tracked
- Information protection policy
- Risk management program
- Information protection program governance
Access Control
2 controls tracked
- User access management
- Access enforcement & least privilege
- Authentication & session management
Asset Management & Data Protection
3 controls tracked
- Asset inventory & classification
- Media handling & disposal
- Data protection & encryption
- Portable media security
Security Operations
2 controls tracked
- Vulnerability management
- Network security & segmentation
- System hardening & configuration
- Logging & monitoring
Third-Party Assurance
2 controls tracked
- Third-party risk management
- Vendor security assessments
- Supply chain security
- Business associate agreements
Incident Management & Business Continuity
2 controls tracked
- Incident response planning
- Breach notification procedures
- Business continuity & disaster recovery
- Backup & restoration testing
Who pursues HITRUST certification?
Healthcare Orgs & Health Plans
Hospitals, health systems, and health plans that need to demonstrate a comprehensive security program to regulators, partners, and patients. HITRUST certification is increasingly required in vendor procurement.
- Hospitals & health systems
- Health insurance plans
- Pharmacy benefit managers
- Accountable care organizations
- Large physician groups
Business Associates & Health IT
Technology vendors, SaaS platforms, and service providers that handle ePHI. HITRUST certification streamlines security questionnaires and accelerates sales cycles with healthcare customers.
- EHR/EMR platforms
- Health IT SaaS vendors
- Cloud & hosting providers
- Revenue cycle management
- Telehealth platforms
Any Org Seeking Certification
Organizations outside traditional healthcare that want a rigorous, third-party validated security certification. HITRUST CSF applies to any industry and satisfies multiple regulatory requirements simultaneously.
- Financial services firms
- Insurance companies
- Government contractors
- Data analytics companies
- Supply chain partners
Common questions about HITRUST CSF
What is HITRUST CSF?
HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is a certifiable security framework that harmonizes requirements from HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and dozens of other standards into a single comprehensive framework. It provides prescriptive controls, a maturity model, and a third-party validated assessment process that has become the gold standard for healthcare security certification.
What's the difference between e1, i1, and r2 assessments?
e1 (Essentials) covers 44 fundamental controls and provides a one-year certification for basic cybersecurity hygiene. i1 (Implemented) covers 182 controls and provides a one-year certification demonstrating a mature security program. r2 (Risk-based) is the most comprehensive assessment, covering all applicable controls with a two-year certification and an interim assessment at the one-year mark.
How does HITRUST relate to HIPAA?
HITRUST CSF incorporates all HIPAA Security Rule requirements and maps them to specific controls. A HITRUST certification is increasingly accepted by OCR and business partners as strong evidence of HIPAA compliance. Many healthcare organizations now require HITRUST certification from their vendors as a condition of doing business.
How long does HITRUST certification take?
Timeline depends on assessment type and organizational readiness. An e1 can be completed in 2-4 months, i1 in 3-6 months, and r2 in 6-12 months. First-time organizations should budget additional time for gap remediation and readiness. The HITRUST quality assurance review adds 4-8 weeks after the assessor submits results.
How much does HITRUST certification cost?
Total costs vary by scope and assessment type. e1 assessments typically run $20,000-$40,000, i1 assessments $40,000-$80,000, and r2 assessments $80,000-$200,000 or more. These figures include assessor fees and HITRUST submission fees. Internal preparation costs, remediation, and tooling are additional. The investment pays off through streamlined vendor assessments and competitive advantage.
Related frameworks
HIPAA Security Rule
HITRUST CSF incorporates all HIPAA Security Rule requirements into its control framework.
NIST CSF 2.0
HITRUST CSF maps directly to NIST Cybersecurity Framework functions and categories.
CIS Controls v8.1
CIS Controls align with HITRUST CSF requirements for actionable security implementation.
HITRUST readiness without the chaos
Track every control domain, organize assessment evidence, and monitor your certification status. BlackSheep maps the full HITRUST CSF so you know exactly where you stand.
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