A Checklist for Navigating the HITRUST Certification Process

Achieving HITRUST certification is a significant accomplishment for organizations committed to data security and regulatory compliance. However, the certification process is detailed and rigorous, requiring careful planning and execution. A comprehensive checklist can simplify this journey, ensuring no critical steps are overlooked.

Why HITRUST Certification Matters

HITRUST certification is built on the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), a scalable and prescriptive framework that harmonizes over 40 regulatory standards, including:

HIPAA
GDPR
PCI DSS
ISO 27001
NIST SP 800–53

This certification provides a clear path for organizations to demonstrate robust data security practices, compliance with multiple regulations, and a proactive approach to risk management.

Your HITRUST Certification Checklist

1. Understand the HITRUST CSF

Before diving into the process, familiarize yourself with the HITRUST CSF:

Review the 19 control domains, such as access control, incident management, and risk assessment.
Identify how the framework aligns with your organization’s regulatory requirements (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR).
Choose the appropriate certification type: HITRUST i1 Certification for essential security or HITRUST r2 Certification for comprehensive, risk-based security.

2. Conduct a Readiness Assessment

A readiness assessment evaluates your current security posture against HITRUST CSF requirements. This step is critical for identifying gaps and creating a roadmap for remediation.

Perform a gap analysis of your existing controls.
Prioritize gaps based on their potential impact and complexity.
Document findings and establish a plan for addressing deficiencies.

3. Develop a Remediation Plan

Addressing gaps identified during the readiness assessment is essential to meeting HITRUST requirements.

Create a detailed remediation plan with specific tasks, timelines, and responsible team members.
Focus on high-priority areas such as encryption, incident response, and access management.
Regularly review progress to ensure your team stays on track.

4. Leverage Inherited Controls

If your organization uses cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, you can inherit validated controls from their HITRUST certifications.

Identify the controls you can inherit to reduce your workload.
Map these inherited controls to your HITRUST requirements.
Work closely with your cloud provider to verify compliance documentation.

5. Engage a HITRUST-Certified Assessor

Partnering with an experienced HITRUST-certified assessor is a critical step in the certification process. Assessors provide:

Guidance on meeting HITRUST CSF requirements.
Validation of your controls and evidence collection.
Recommendations for improvement before submitting your assessment.

6. Implement and Test Controls

To ensure you meet HITRUST standards, implement all required controls and thoroughly test their effectiveness.

Conduct internal audits to verify that controls are functioning as intended.
Test key processes, such as incident response and data encryption.
Document evidence of control implementation and success.

7. Organize and Submit Evidence

The HITRUST certification process requires comprehensive documentation to validate your controls.

Centralize all evidence in a single location, such as HITRUST’s MyCSF platform.
Ensure evidence is well-organized and meets HITRUST’s documentation standards.
Perform a pre-assessment review to identify and address any gaps or inconsistencies.

8. Undergo a Validated Assessment

A validated assessment involves a third-party assessor reviewing your controls and evidence to ensure they meet HITRUST requirements.

Be prepared to answer questions and provide additional context during the assessment.
Address any findings or recommendations from the assessor promptly.
Work closely with your assessor to finalize the assessment report.

9. Submit for HITRUST Certification

After completing the validated assessment, submit your results to HITRUST for a centralized review.

HITRUST will perform quality checks and scoring to ensure compliance.
If successful, you’ll receive a certification valid for one or two years, depending on the type of assessment.

10. Maintain and Monitor Compliance

Certification is not the end of the journey. HITRUST requires continuous compliance monitoring and interim assessments.

Implement a process for regular control reviews and updates.
Use monitoring tools to detect and respond to emerging threats.
Prepare for interim assessments to maintain your certification status.

Tips for Success

Start Early: Give yourself plenty of time for each step, from the readiness assessment to the validated assessment.
Leverage Automation: Use platforms like MyCSF to streamline evidence collection and track progress.
Engage Leadership: Secure executive buy-in to ensure your team has the resources and support needed to succeed.
Focus on Documentation: Ensure all policies, procedures, and controls are well-documented and accessible.

Why HITRUST Certification Is Worth the Effort

While the certification process is rigorous, the benefits of HITRUST certification far outweigh the challenges:

Simplified Compliance: Achieve compliance with multiple regulations through a single framework.
Enhanced Security: Strengthen your organization’s data protection practices.
Increased Trust: Build confidence with customers, partners, and regulators.
Competitive Advantage: Differentiate your business in highly regulated industries.