Comparing the HITRUST e1 Assessment and the SOC 2 Audit

The IT security environment facing many organizations requires an ever-evolving security program to address the multitude of risks present. SOC 2 reports and HITRUST e1 assessments are two assurance reports that can provide compliance assessments in this constantly changing environment. The SOC 2 report and HITRUST e1 validated assessment are based upon proven frameworks. In addition, both solutions can provide an organization with the necessary deliverable to demonstrate to customers, vendors, and stakeholders that they are making information security controls a top priority.

We will delve much deeper into the HITRUST e1 and SOC 2 frameworks, identifying the differences between the two, what types of organizations need each assurance report, and the benefits of each type.

What is the HITRUST e1 Assessment?

The Health Information Trust Alliance (HITRUST) Common Security Framework (CSF) released the Essential 1-year validated assessment (e1) in January 2023 as part of the release of the CSF v11. The e1 Assessment evaluates an organization’s compliance with the HITRUST CSF foundational cybersecurity practices and controls. The objective of the e1 Assessment is to provide a simplistic and low-effort assessment of an organization’s compliance with 44 basic cybersecurity requirements within the HITRUST CSF Framework. The HITRUST e1 allows organizations to focus on compliance with basic foundational cybersecurity controls that address the most critical high-risk cybersecurity threats. The HITRUST e1 assessment is valid for one year. The organization has the option after year 1 to move to a higher level of assurance within the HITRUST CSF framework.

Benefits of the e1 Assessment and Who Needs an e1 Assessment?

The benefit of the e1 Assessment is that it can serve as the first step in a progressive process for an organization to work toward additional assurance with the HITRUST CSF, such as the Implementation Assessment (i1) or Risk Based Assessment (r2). The control requirements in the CSF framework required for the e1 assessment are also part of the control requirements for the i1 and r2 assessments. This allows organizations to use the e1 assessment as the first step in working towards advanced HITRUST assurance assessments. The e1 assessment also comes at a lower cost for organizations, given the limited extent of the controls required to be evaluated. The e1 assessment provides a valuable cost-effective alternative to the i1 and r2 assessments.

Given that the e1 assessment provides the lowest level of assurance with the HITRUST CSF, it is geared toward start-up organizations or those companies who are just beginning to explore compliance and maturity with cybersecurity processes and controls. Additionally, the e1 assessment may also benefit organizations with low cybersecurity risk looking for a quality low-effort, low-cost assessment of their compliance with foundational cybersecurity controls.

What is a SOC 2 Audit?

The SOC 2 audit report is used by service organizations to meet the needs of a broad range of users that need detailed information and assurance about the controls at the service organization relevant to the AICPA Trust Services Criteria Framework, which includes security, availability, processing integrity of the systems, and the confidentiality and privacy of the information processed by these systems. The AICPA has established these specific trust services criteria within each of the trust services principles, which the service organization’s controls must meet for the principle’s criteria to be satisfied. The AICPA requires that all SOC 2 reports cover the Security principle (also known as the common criteria). However, service organizations can select additional criteria (availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy) to be included within their SOC 2 audit report.

SOC 2 reports consist of two types of reports, SOC 2 Type I and SOC 2 Type II. The SOC 2 Type I report offers an assessment of the design of an organization’s controls relevant to the trust services criteria at a specific date. The SOC 2 Type II report provides a report on the design and operating effectiveness of an organization’s controls over a period time, generally a 3 to 12-month period. The SOC 2 Type II report reflects an organization’s operating effectiveness during a review period and provides a more detailed assessment of organization controls.

The Benefits of SOC 2 Reports and Who Needs a SOC 2 Audit?

SOC 2 audit reports are typically for service organizations that provide services involving the collecting, processing, or maintaining of sensitive customer information or data. The SOC 2 audit report and relevant AICPA Trust Services Criteria framework is a necessity for organizations and businesses that offer technology and cloud computing services, data hosting, managed IT services, Software as a Service (SaaS), and various other outsourcing services. The SOC 2 report is a valuable and widely recognized compliance audit report used in vendor management across a wide array of industries.

HITRUST e1 Assessments and SOC 2 audits provide assurance reporting solutions over information security controls. HITRUST is designed for highly regulated industries such as healthcare and financial services. HITRUST incorporates industry-specific requirements into the CSF framework, while SOC 2 audits can be applied to a much larger user base and apply to all industries with a focus on the AICPA trust service criteria framework. Organizations should select the framework or frameworks that best represent their industry’s best practices, regulatory requirements, and customer needs.

This is a high-level comparison of both the HITRUST e1 Assessment and the SOC 2 audit, however the need for each assurance report can vary by organization and industry. McKonly & Asbury’s SOC and HITRUST team is available to assist your organization in evaluating what assessment report best fits your needs. For more information, be sure to visit our HITRUST service page and System and Organization Controls (SOC) service page, and don’t hesitate to contact Dave Hammarberg, CPA, CFE, CISSP, GSEC, MCSE, CISA with further questions regarding HITRUST, SOC reports, and our services.

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