Small and medium-sized organizations often ask about the cost of HITRUST Certification. Patient data security is critical, so we always recommend considering HITRUST as a long-term goal to foster compliance and cost-effectiveness.
HITRUST certification goes beyond being a mere checkbox on a compliance list. It is pivotal in maintaining a robust security posture and fostering stakeholder trust. Recent data reveals that 79% of healthcare organizations have experienced data breaches. This emphasizes the critical need to safeguard sensitive healthcare data, a goal achievable by pursuing HITRUST CSF certification.
What is HITRUST CSF Certification?
HITRUST was established in 2007 to address security and privacy concerns related to sensitive information, including medical records. HITRUST created the Common Security Framework (CSF), which can be used by any organization that creates, accesses, stores, or exchanges sensitive data. It is a cybersecurity risk management framework that helps healthcare organizations assess the effectiveness of security data.
Achieving HITRUST certification requires the implementation of necessary controls in the designated environment. Voluntary yet pivotal, HITRUST aids businesses in aligning with mandatory regulations such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001, making it a proactive framework for organizations navigating the complex terrain of data security.
Types of HITRUST Assessments
- HITRUST e1: 1-year Validated Assessment
- HITRUST i1: 1-Year Validated Assessment
- HITRUST r2:2 Years Validated Assessment (Risk-Based)
Who Conducts HITRUST Certification?
The HITRUST assessment is conducted by an independent third party, specifically a HITRUST-certified assessor, Accorian is an authorized HITRUST CSF assessor. These assessors are authorized to aid in remediation efforts, perform assessments, and/or provide certification services. This applies to all industries handling Protected Health Information (PHI) and/or Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
How Can HITRUST Assist My Business?
What is the Cost of HITRUST Certification?
The HITRUST certification cost is contingent upon various factors:
- Your organization's risk profile
- The assessment's scope
- The assessment type
- Size of the organization
- Security maturity
- Compliance level
The HITRUST CSF Assessor evaluates these elements. Additionally, HITRUST costs are associated with purchasing the validated HITRUST report and undergoing the assessment process.
What is Included in the Cost of HITRUST?
Acquiring HITRUST certification includes certain direct and indirect costs.
Direct costs include:
- Granting access to MyCSF corporate portal
- Identifying gap analysis in the existing security measures
- Conducting a readiness assessment to evaluate preparedness
- Performing a Validated Assessment as part of the certification process
- Offering guidance and advice throughout the entire certification process
Indirect costs include:
- Managing and overseeing the certification process
- Recording and regularly updating security data
- Setting up the initial configuration of systems and processes
- Developing corrective action plans and executing remediation efforts
- Assisting in identifying and submitting the required documentation
- Accessing other services offered by the HITRUST Authorized External Assessor
How Long Does it Take to Get HITRUST Certified?
Accorian’s Proven Approach
1. Gap Assessment: 4-5 Weeks
- Define the scope for HITRUST
- Understand the number of controls in consideration
- Conduct a high-level review of the HITRUST controls and identify gaps against the current state
- Create a roadmap plan outlining the steps toward achieving HITRUST certification
2. Roadmap Execution: 4-5 Months
- Collaborate with the organization to implement the established roadmap for HITRUST certification
- Assist in the creation of necessary policies and procedures
- Perform required security testing as part of the certification process
- Provide program management to oversee and coordinate the various elements of the HITRUST certification journey
3. Incubation: 3 Months
- Demonstrate implementation of the organizations' policies and procedures for at least 90 days prior to initiating the Validated Assessment
4. Validated Assessment: 3 Months
- Provide detailed instructions on how to upload the necessary evidence
- Conduct testing against control requirements, provide comments, and assign scores to each control
- Submit Validated Assessment to HITRUST for Validation/Certification
5. Maintenance: Ongoing
- For an e1, annual Validated Assessment
- For an i1, rapid recertification in the second year
- For an r2, interim assessment in the second year
How Do You Reduce the Cost of HITRUST?
While the overall cost of HITRUST may not be reducible, strategic decision-making and selecting the appropriate HITRUST partner can enhance cost-effectiveness. Choosing the right partner can assist in efficiently scoping the assessment, streamlining the process, and ultimately reducing costs, time, and resources.
Choose Accorian as Your HITRUST CSF PARTNER
As an authorized HITRUST CSF Assessor, Accorian assists businesses of all sizes in achieving certification. Our security team possesses extensive experience in HITRUST implementation and certification, enabling us to serve as your full-service cybersecurity partner throughout the process.
More About Accorian
Accorian has a proven track record, having completed 400+ compliance consulting engagements across a broad spectrum of standards and regulations, including HITRUST, HIPAA, ISO 27001, SOC 2, NIST CSF, and GDPR, along with numerous penetration testing projects. Our compliance team brings a wealth of experience, with each member boasting over 10+ years of expertise in cybersecurity and technology.
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