Frameworks — HITRUST
Build trust for your healthcare and enterprise data with HITRUST.
HITRUST CSF is the most widely adopted security and privacy framework for healthcare and other high-risk industries, harmonizing HIPAA, NIST, and ISO into a single certifiable standard. If your company handles protected health information (PHI) or sells into healthcare, fintech, or enterprise buyers — HITRUST certification helps you pass vendor security review and close deals faster.
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In the Spotlight
Start your HITRUST compliance journey with DSALTA's complete checklist.
HITRUST CSF is the industry standard for healthcare and enterprise data protection, harmonizing 50+ authoritative sources including HIPAA, NIST, and ISO into one framework. Certification requires a validated assessment by a HITRUST Authorized External Assessor — not a self-attested policy.
HITRUST can feel dense, spanning three certification tiers (e1, i1, r2) and up to 300+ controls depending on scope, but DSALTA® makes it manageable. With automated evidence collection, continuous control monitoring, and AI-driven gap analysis, you can reach certification — and stay certified — without drowning in manual work. Use this checklist to guide your HITRUST journey.
Why HITRUST certification matters?
Earning HITRUST certification is more than a checkbox exercise. It shows health plans, hospital systems, and enterprise procurement teams that your security program has been independently validated — not just described in a policy document. HITRUST-certified environments have reported a breach rate below 1%, far outperforming industry-wide averages. In return, certification builds long-term trust, especially with security-conscious buyers in healthcare, fintech, and SaaS. Failing to address HITRUST-scoped risk can result in:
PHI exposure and HIPAA violations
Loss of health plan and enterprise vendor contracts
Legal and reputational exposure from unaddressed gaps
Deals stalled or lost in vendor security review
Easily accessible data protection for growing teams.
Many companies delay HITRUST because of its size and complexity. But it doesn't have to be overwhelming. With tools like DSALTA, HITRUST becomes easier to manage — especially for lean, fast-moving healthtech and SaaS teams. By using automation and a proactive approach, you can:
Save time and external assessor costs
Make informed decisions using real-time control maturity dashboards
Reduce manual evidence-gathering and focus on shipping product
Key steps to HITRUST certification
Here's how to get HITRUST certified while keeping your product shipping fast.
Scope your assessment and choose your tier
HITRUST certification applies to a defined environment or system, not your whole organization by default. This includes:
Defining which systems, facilities, and data flows are in scope
Choosing the right tier for your risk profile — e1 (44 controls, foundational), i1 (182 controls, threat-adaptive), or r2 (250+ controls, risk-based)
Assigning key team members and requesting MyCSF portal access
Applies whether you're a first-time e1 vendor or scaling toward i1 or r2.
Run a readiness assessment and close gaps
Before the formal audit, HITRUST strongly recommends a gap assessment against your in-scope control set. This includes:
Evaluating each control against policy, process, and implementation maturity
Identifying and prioritizing gaps by risk level
Confirming controls have been operating long enough to be tested — generally 90 consecutive days for implementation, 60 days for policy and procedure
Map controls across domains
HITRUST CSF organizes requirements across 19 control domains spanning access control, vulnerability management, vendor risk, and more. This includes:
Documenting policies and procedures for each in-scope control (required for r2; recommended for e1/i1)
Implementing and evidencing each control in production
Using inheritance from HITRUST-certified cloud providers (AWS, Azure, etc.) to reduce duplicate work
Complete the validated assessment
Unlike self-attested frameworks, HITRUST certification requires independent validation. This includes:
Engaging a HITRUST Authorized External Assessor to test and score your evidence
Remediating any findings through a corrective action plan (CAP)
Submitting the validated assessment to HITRUST for final QA and certification decision
Align with adjacent frameworks and regulations
HITRUST CSF is built to harmonize with the compliance obligations you already carry. This includes:
Mapping controls to HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, and other authoritative sources you're already tracking
Layering the HITRUST AI Security Assessment if your product includes AI-driven features
Using HITRUST Insights Reports to translate results into HIPAA or other regulator-facing language
Maintain certification over time
HITRUST certification isn't one-and-done — it requires ongoing upkeep. This includes:
Renewing e1 or i1 annually through a fresh validated assessment
Completing the required interim assessment at the two-year midpoint for r2
Keeping evidence current so recertification doesn't turn into a fresh project
Get it faster with DSALTA.



