Benefits of a HITRUST e1 Validated Assessment Certification

Key Takeaways

• Entry-Level HITRUST Assurance: The e1 certification validates 44 foundational cybersecurity and privacy controls for organizations with developing security programs.
• Cost- and Time-Efficient: The limited scope allows organizations to achieve certification faster and at a lower cost than i1 or r2 assessments.
• Framework Alignment: HITRUST e1 integrates with standards like HIPAA, NIST, and ISO to support baseline compliance needs.
• Vendor Risk Support: Certification provides trusted third-party assurance that can streamline vendor risk reviews.
• Pathway to Maturity: e1 serves as a practical first step toward more advanced HITRUST certifications.

The requirements, processes, and controls necessary to maintain the security and privacy of an organization’s data are complex. Organizations are continually challenged in determining the appropriate information security measures necessary to maintain compliance with all the diverse frameworks available. Understanding the various frameworks and certifications, as well as the way these assessments operate, can guide organizations toward the most effective strategies. In addition to understanding the frameworks, it’s also helpful to know what the benefits of each framework and certification are.

Understanding HITRUST e1 Certification

The HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) offers a comprehensive, certifiable framework that has the ability to integrate various standards, including HIPAA, NIST, and ISO. HITRUST now offers three primary levels of validated assessments with the most foundational being the e1 Assessment. The e1 assessment offers a one-year certification designed for organizations with entry-level information security programs. It focuses on essential and foundational cybersecurity controls that can be addressed by most organizations regardless of size or maturity.

Benefits of the HITRUST e1 Certification

As discussed above, the HITRUST e1 assessment certification provides a one-year certification that provides assurance over foundational cybersecurity and privacy controls and processes. There are substantial benefits of going through the HITRUST e1 assessment and certification process that organizations can capitalize upon.

Demonstrates Commitment to Foundational Cybersecurity Assurance

The HITRUST CSF framework for e1 assessments focuses on 44 essential controls that allow organizations to demonstrate that they have implemented those essential and foundational practices within their HITRUST certified environments. The certification provides assurance the organization has those current protections and controls in place that will help mitigate common threats to their environment. The e1 certification further provides user entities of the organization with assurance that those foundational practices have also been validated and are implemented to a level sufficient for HITRUST to certify the implementation of those 44 controls.

Achieved Faster and Less Costly than Other HITRUST Certifications

The HITRUST e1 assessment requires compliance and implementation with 44 foundational security practices allowing for organizations to complete the assessment faster and with less cost than the more robust i1 and r2 assessments. The smaller set of practices allows organizations to implement controls, complete the assessment, and have the external assessor validate the assessment in weeks rather than months. The faster time frame, along with the smaller controls, also allows for less costs associated with achieving the e1 certification.

Provides Vendors with Third-Party Risk Management

The HITRUST e1 assessment and certifications provide the organization’s customers and buyers evidence of implementation of foundational security controls. The HITRUST e1 certification provides third-party vendor managements with a foundational and trusted assurance option that can streamline vendor risk reviews and reduce inquiries and security questionnaires.

Provides a Stepping-Stone to Stronger Certifications

The 44 foundational security controls that are required to achieve an e1 certification are also incorporated into the more complex and robust assessments (like the HITRUST i1 or r2) as a company’s security program matures. The HITRUST e1 certification makes it a strategic first step in an organization’s compliance journey.

With third-party risk management and assurance becoming increasingly important, organizations must evaluate the benefits of compliance with security frameworks that not only assess past performance but focus on risk management and preparation for future challenges. The HITRUST e1 certification provides the benefit of a foundational compliance with security practices and a streamlined cost-effective pathway to compliance.

If you are seeking more information on how a HITRUST assessment and certification can help your organization, visit our HITRUST and SOC services pages, and please contact Dave Hammarberg, CPA, CISSP, CFE, MCSE, CISA, CCSFP, CHQP, CCP, CCA with any questions.

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