Patient data is one of the most sensitive types of information healthcare organizations handle, and its protection is non-negotiable. From medical history to diagnoses, this data holds immense value—not just to providers but also to hackers. A data breach could lead to serious consequences, such as identity theft or insurance fraud, and could erode the trust patients place in their care teams.
Ensuring the security of patient information isn’t just about avoiding breaches; it’s about safeguarding trust. Patients deserve to know their data is secure, and healthcare organizations need robust measures in place to protect both their reputation and their patients.
That’s where HITRUST Certification comes in. While not mandatory, it’s a powerful way for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to security, privacy, and risk management. And the results speak for themselves: 99.4% of HITRUST-certified environments reported no breaches in the past two years—a statistic that underscores its impact.
In this blog, we’ll explore what HITRUST Certification entails, the benefits it brings to healthcare organizations, and how partnering with a HITRUST-certified provider like InteliChart can elevate your security practices.
What is HITRUST Certification?
HITRUST Certification is a rigorous framework designed to help healthcare organizations manage information risk, data security, and compliance. It focuses specifically on protecting health data and patient information while aligning with key regulatory requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and incorporates security frameworks from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and ISO 27001.
The HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) streamlines compliance by combining standards from multiple sources, including federal and state regulations, international privacy laws, and industry guidelines into a single, unified framework. This consolidation makes it easier for organizations to meet overlapping requirements while tailoring security measures to their specific risks and needs.
By aligning with HITRUST, healthcare organizations can simplify the path to compliance and prioritize protecting the sensitive data entrusted to them.
The Levels of HITRUST Certification
HITRUST offers two certification paths designed to meet the diverse needs of healthcare organizations: the HITRUST Implemented 1-Year (i1) Validated Assessment and the HITRUST Risk-based, 2-Year (r2) Validated Assessment.
Here’s a closer look at what sets them apart:
HITRUST Implemented 1-Year (i1) Validated Assessment
The i1 Assessment is a "best practices" certification tailored for organizations with moderate risk and strong information security programs. Its primary focus is ensuring that essential security controls are in place to protect against current and emerging cyber threats.
Unlike the r2 Assessment, the i1 evaluates whether controls are implemented but doesn’t delve into their maturity or long-term management. This makes it an excellent starting point for healthcare organizations with less complex operations seeking a reliable foundation for security assurance.
HITRUST Risk-based, 2-Year (r2) Validated Assessment
For organizations requiring the highest level of security assurance, the r2 Assessment is the industry gold standard. This certification, valid for two years with an interim review, evaluates five key areas: policy, procedures, implementation, measurement, and management. It also incorporates over 200 controls to provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s security posture.
The r2 Assessment is ideal for healthcare entities managing significant volumes of sensitive data or protected health information (PHI). By addressing a wide range of risks and aligning with healthcare-specific regulations like HIPAA, it ensures organizations can confidently safeguard patient data and meet stringent compliance requirements.
How Does an Organization Attain a HITRUST Certification?
The process to attain a HITRUST certification is rigorous and can take up to 18 months to complete. After all, it’s a globally recognized benchmark for high-level security commitment. Because of the certification’s prestige, organizations must complete several steps to attain the certification.
Let’s explore each step in a bit more detail.
Step 1: Readiness Assessment
The process begins with a HITRUST Readiness Assessment, conducted by a third-party assessor. This step evaluates your organization’s compliance with the HITRUST CSF and highlights any gaps in your security controls. By identifying areas for improvement early on, organizations can gain a clear roadmap to meet HITRUST standards.
Step 2: Remediation Gap Analysis
Once gaps are identified, the next phase focuses on closing them. During the Remediation Gap Analysis, organizations prioritize high-risk issues and develop plans to address longer-term improvements, such as implementing robust data encryption. This step is crucial for ensuring that all HITRUST requirements are met, paving the way for successful certification.
Step 3: Validated Assessment
In this critical phase, an external assessor conducts validation testing to evaluate whether your organization’s security controls meet HITRUST requirements. This involves a thorough review of documentation, interviews with key stakeholders, and on-site testing to confirm compliance.
Step 4: Quality Assurance Review
Once the Validated Assessment is complete, the HITRUST Assurance and Compliance teams review the findings. This Quality Assurance Review ensures that all security controls are correctly implemented and verifies compliance with HITRUST standards. The review typically takes 4–8 weeks and determines whether the organization qualifies for certification.
Step 5: HITRUST Certification
Upon successful completion of the Quality Assurance Review, the HITRUST external assessor scores each control on a scale from 0 (noncompliant) to 100 (fully compliant). To achieve certification, an organization must achieve an average score of 62.00 or higher for each control. Once certified, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to security and compliance, giving patients and partners confidence in their data protection measures.
The Goals of HITRUST Certification
HITRUST Certification is built around three key objectives: standardizing security practices, reducing risk, and ensuring consistent data protection across organizations. For healthcare providers, these goals are essential to safeguarding sensitive patient data while navigating complex regulatory compliance requirements.
Healthcare organizations manage vast amounts of personal health information (PHI) daily, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. Without robust security measures, even a single vulnerability can lead to devastating consequences. For example, the ransomware attack on Change Healthcare in February 2024 compromised the PHI of over 100 million patients.
The breach, caused by the absence of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on remote access servers—a HIPAA requirement—led to the theft of sensitive information, including medical records, Social Security numbers, and details about active military personnel. Patients experienced delays in prescriptions, care, and billing, while 94% of hospitals reported financial setbacks. The attack not only disrupted operations but also damaged trust and tarnished Change Healthcare’s reputation across the industry.
This example underscores why HITRUST’s goals are so critical. By providing a clear framework for security and compliance, HITRUST helps organizations avoid these costly risks and ensure patient data is consistently protected.
Why Partnering with a HITRUST-Certified Organization Matters
Working with a HITRUST-certified provider offers healthcare organizations peace of mind by ensuring robust protection against data breaches and cyberattacks. The benefits go beyond security, helping organizations enhance their operations and strengthen patient relationships.
These include:
Enhanced Data Security
HITRUST-certified providers implement rigorous safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive information from breaches.
Regulatory Compliance
Simplify adherence to complex laws and regulations like HIPAA, avoiding penalties and ensuring data privacy.
Operational Efficiency
Streamlined security practices reduce administrative burdens, allowing staff to focus on patient care instead of compliance complexities.
Improved Patient Trust
Certification demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding patient information, fostering confidence and long-term loyalty.
InteliChart: A HITRUST-Certified Leader in Patient Engagement
At InteliChart, we’re committed to delivering secure, reliable patient engagement solutions that allow healthcare providers to focus on what matters most—delivering quality care. Our HITRUST r2 Certification ensures a robust security framework that meets the highest regulatory standards, giving healthcare organizations peace of mind while enhancing operational efficiency.
With InteliChart, you can trust that your patient data is protected by industry-leading security measures, enabling a seamless and secure patient engagement experience.
Request a demo to see how our solutions can elevate your patient engagement strategy with uncompromising security and reliability.
