Healthcare is one of the fastest-growing industry verticals in the technology space. According to a report by Towards Healthcare, as of 2023, the healthcare IT market was valued at $238.3 billion, a number that’s estimated to grow to $1,404.55 billion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.5% in the ten-year period from 2024-2034.

But as is usually the case, bounty attracts bandits, and it hasn’t taken long for bad actors to come along and try to extract healthcare data for their own nefarious purposes. After all, private patient data can prove very lucrative when applied to extralegal practices like blackmail, identity theft, and fraudulent billing among other things. It should come as no surprise then that as per the IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024, the healthcare industry topped the list for the 14th year in a row with an average valuation of $9.77 million per breach.

Steps needed to be taken to help the healthcare industry stem this illegal outward flow of data, which led to the creation of HITRUST. The HITRUST CSF (Common Security Framework) is a widely adopted framework that combines healthcare, data protection, and cybersecurity standards into a single, certifiable framework. By implementing HITRUST, organizations can achieve a robust, scalable approach to risk management and compliance.

In this blog, we’ll explore the history of HITRUST, its latest developments, why it’s important, who needs to comply, where it applies, the consequences of noncompliance, and what’s required to achieve HITRUST certification.

Also read: Case Study—Transforming Healthcare Security with HTCD’s AI-Driven Insights and Risk Prioritization

What is HITRUST?

HITRUST, established in 2007, was developed by the Health Information Trust Alliance to address the unique security challenges of the healthcare industry. Over time, it has expanded to include other sectors, providing a unified approach to information security and risk management.

The HITRUST CSF integrates various standards and regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, ISO, and NIST, offering a streamlined compliance pathway for organizations operating across multiple regulatory environments.

Current HITRUST Version and Updates

As of 2024, the latest version of HITRUST CSF is v11, released in January 2023. This update introduced enhanced scalability, allowing organizations of all sizes to tailor the framework to their specific needs. The new version also strengthens integration with global standards like GDPR and ISO 27001, making it more applicable across industries.

HITRUST regularly updates its framework to address emerging threats, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.

Why is HITRUST Important?

1. Comprehensive Compliance: HITRUST integrates multiple standards, reducing the burden of managing overlapping requirements.
2. Industry Recognition: HITRUST certification is widely recognized as a benchmark for security and compliance in healthcare and beyond.
3. Risk Mitigation: By adopting HITRUST, organizations can proactively address security threats and vulnerabilities.
4. Customer Trust: Certification demonstrates a strong commitment to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing credibility.

Who Needs to Comply with HITRUST?

HITRUST compliance is most common in the healthcare sector, but its applicability extends to any organization handling sensitive data, including:

• Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and medical practices.
• Insurance Companies: Health insurers and third-party administrators.
• Business Associates: Vendors and partners who handle protected health information (PHI).
• Other Sectors: Organizations in finance, technology, and government that require robust data protection measures.

Also read: What Is Cloud Compliance? A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating Regulations and Securing Cloud Data

Where is HITRUST Applicable?

HITRUST is widely applicable across global geographies and industries, particularly in regions and sectors where data protection and security are critical. Some examples include:

• ‍United States: HITRUST certification is highly regarded in the healthcare industry, aligning with HIPAA and other regulations.
• ‍European Union: Its integration with GDPR makes it relevant for organizations operating in Europe.
• ‍Asia-Pacific and Middle East: Growing adoption in these regions as organizations prioritize information security.
• ‍Global Organizations: HITRUST provides a universal framework for multinational companies needing to comply with multiple standards.

Consequences of HITRUST Noncompliance

Noncompliance with HITRUST can lead to significant consequences, including:

• Regulatory Penalties: Fines for failing to meet standards like HIPAA or GDPR.
• Increased Cybersecurity Risk: Noncompliance often correlates with vulnerabilities to data breaches.
• Loss of Business Opportunities: Many contracts, especially in healthcare, require HITRUST certification.
• Reputational Damage: A lack of compliance can harm customer trust and brand reputation.

What Does HITRUST Certification Entail?

HITRUST certification requires organizations to meet a series of detailed requirements under the HITRUST CSF. These include:

1. Implementing Security Controls: Aligning with standards like NIST and ISO to ensure data protection.
2. Conducting Risk Assessments: Identifying and mitigating potential threats to sensitive information.
3. Documentation: Maintaining comprehensive policies, procedures, and evidence of compliance efforts.
4. Validation and Certification: Undergoing an external assessment by a certified HITRUST assessor.

Certification typically involves a thorough audit process, culminating in the issuance of a HITRUST certification valid for two years.

Also read: Cloud Compliance Best Practices: Your Comprehensive Guide to Staying Secure and Regulatory-Aligned

The Cost of HITRUST Compliance

The cost of HITRUST certification depends on several factors, such as the organization's size, the scope of compliance, and the level of effort required to address gaps. Common costs include:

• ‍Framework Licensing Fees: Access to the HITRUST MyCSF tool for implementation guidance.
• ‍Assessment Fees: Costs for third-party assessors to validate compliance.
• ‍Technology Investments: Implementing necessary security and compliance solutions.
• ‍Internal Resources: Allocating time and personnel for preparation and ongoing maintenance.

While these costs can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the benefits of enhanced security, compliance, and customer trust often outweigh the investment.

How Can HTCD Help with HITRUST Compliance?

At HTCD, we simplify HITRUST compliance with our AI-driven security and compliance platform. Our solutions include:

• ‍Automated Assessments: Streamline the audit process with real-time insights and compliance tracking.
• ‍Gap Analysis: Identify areas where your current practices fall short of HITRUST requirements.
• ‍Expert Guidance: Navigate the complexities of HITRUST with support from our extensive compliance tracker.
• Quick Remediation: Our HITRUST compliance tracker also offers remediation solutions to help you bridge the gap in your compliance status.

Conclusion

HITRUST provides a robust, scalable framework for organizations to ensure compliance with key data protection standards. By achieving HITRUST certification, businesses can reduce risk, enhance customer trust, and simplify compliance management across multiple standards.

HTCD’s compliance tracker allows users to acquire a holistic understanding of their HITRUST compliance in a matter of minutes. You can see where your organization is compliant, and what are the gaps that are stopping you from becoming fully compliant. Not only that, the tracker also offers remediation solutions to help bridge those gaps and improve your compliance status. Request a free demo today and get a first-hand view of how HTCD is solving healthcare compliance.

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