HITRUST vs. HIPAA: Ensuring Data Security and Compliance
Security Boulevard – Michelle Ofir Geveye
HITRUST and HIPAA are distinct standards for data security in healthcare, with different compliance implications.
HIPAA is a federal law with primary rules ensuring the protection of health information, focusing on privacy, security, and breach notification without providing official certification.
HITRUST is an organization offering the HITRUST CSF, a comprehensive control framework that integrates various regulatory requirements, providing certifications based on a risk-based approach with regular updates for cybersecurity defenses.
While HITRUST certification aligns with HIPAA guidelines and may include them, it does not equate to HIPAA compliance due to possible variations in interpretations of HIPAA’s requirements.
HITRUST also provides more flexibility with certifications and adapts to a range of industries.
In terms of penalties, HIPAA can lead to substantial federal penalties, including fines and criminal charges, whereas HITRUST non-compliance typically results in contractual and commercial consequences.
Both HITRUST and HIPAA contribute to enhancing data security by setting standards for protection and facilitating regular assessments to safeguard patient data.
HITRUST CSF v11, to be released in January 2023, aims to further strengthen cyber threat mitigation through innovative AI-based standard development and expanded authoritative sources.
Centraleyes offers a GRC platform for healthcare that aligns with these standards, providing a tool for streamlined risk and compliance management, ultimately supporting robust information security practices.
Link: https://securityboulevard.com/2023/11/hitrust-vs-hipaa-ensuring-data-security-and-compliance/