Founded in 2007, the Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) is an organization dedicated to protecting sensitive information and managing information risk globally across all industries, including third-party supply chains. In collaboration with leaders in privacy, information security, and risk management from the public and private sectors, HITRUST develops, maintains, and provides access to comprehensive risk and compliance management frameworks, assessments, and assurance methodologies.
HITRUST Overview
It is important to note that HITRUST is not a law but a not-for-profit organization with the objective of assisting organizations that handle sensitive information in managing their security measures across various industries. The HITRUST framework specifically enables healthcare providers to comply with HIPAA security laws.
HITRUST has developed and continues to maintain the Common Security Framework (CSF), which serves as a certifiable framework. The CSF integrates different frameworks, including HIPAA, NIST, and ISO, providing organizations with a comprehensive approach to managing their security and compliance requirements. By incorporating elements such as the "Breach Notification" and HIPAA enforcement rules, HITRUST ensures that organizations have a robust framework to address information security challenges.
Benefits of HITRUST
- Streamlined Compliance: The HITRUST CSF brings together multiple regulatory frameworks, enabling organizations to streamline their compliance efforts by adhering to a single comprehensive framework.
- Enhanced Security: By implementing the HITRUST CSF, organizations can strengthen their information security posture and effectively safeguard sensitive information against potential threats.
- Third-Party Assurance: HITRUST assessments and assurance methodologies provide a standardized approach for evaluating the security posture of third-party vendors, ensuring the protection of sensitive information throughout the supply chain.
- Industry Collaboration: HITRUST fosters collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders, facilitating the sharing of best practices, insights, and expertise in information security and risk management.
- Broad Adoption: The HITRUST framework has gained widespread adoption across industries, signifying its credibility and effectiveness in addressing information security challenges.
Differences between HIPAA, HITECH, and HITRUST
HIPAA, established in 1996, sets the minimum standard for health data privacy compliance in the United States. It governs the collection, protection, and sharing of patient information by health insurers and healthcare providers nationwide.
HITECH, enacted in 2009, expands upon HIPAA to address the growing electronic storage and communication of health data. It extends compliance obligations to business associates who have potential access to private health information.
HITRUST, although not a law, emerged in 2009 as an entity that develops and maintains control frameworks incorporating various compliance regulations. HITRUST unifies multiple regulatory requirements, such as HIPAA, NIST, and ISO, facilitating the adoption of compliant practices and appropriate security controls to safeguard sensitive information and patient data.
HITRUST plays a vital role in bolstering information security and managing information risk across industries. While not a law itself, HITRUST provides organizations, especially healthcare providers, with a comprehensive framework to meet the security requirements outlined in HIPAA and other relevant regulations. By leveraging the HITRUST framework, organizations can enhance their security measures, streamline compliance efforts, and foster a culture of trust in handling sensitive information.