Organizations with SOC 2 and HITRUST certification are able to demonstrate robust data security and compliance practices, gain a competitive edge in highly regulated industries, and build greater trust with clients and partners by showcasing their commitment to stringent data protection standards. While HITRUST certifications offer many advantages compared to SOC 2 attestations, we know that SOC 2 attainment is required by many customers. We recommend organizations maximize their effort and increase their strategic benefit by pursuing a HITRUST e1 certification concurrently when they are working on a SOC 2. Organizations that have already completed a SOC 2 can still use the work done to streamline their journey to a HITRUST e1 certification. Here are our top 5 reasons.

1. Maximize Resource Efficiency and Reduce Redundancy

• Leverage Existing Work: If your organization has already achieved SOC 2 certification, you can build on the existing framework to meet HITRUST e1 requirements. Approximately 90% of HITRUST e1 requirements overlap with SOC 2 controls, making the transition smoother and more efficient.
• Use Resources Efficiently: Pursuing both certifications concurrently or sequentially reduces redundancy, saving time and resources. The initial investment in SOC 2 can be maximized by applying much of the same work towards HITRUST e1 certification.

2. Comprehensive Compliance Coverage

• Map Requirements: HITRUST’s mapping workbook aligns SOC 2’s Trust Services Criteria (TSCs) with HITRUST e1 requirements, ensuring that your organization’s security measures are both broad and specific. This comprehensive mapping covers critical aspects of data protection.
• Address Specific Gaps: HITRUST e1 includes specific requirements that may not be fully addressed by SOC 2 alone, such as maintaining offline and immutable backups of data. By pursuing HITRUST e1, you ensure that these specific security measures are implemented, providing a more robust security posture.

3. Enhanced Security Assurance

• Improve Risk Management: HITRUST’s detailed control assessment and scoring methodology provide a clearer understanding of control maturity, helping to identify areas for improvement and manage risks more effectively.
• Provide Comprehensive Assurance: Achieving both certifications ensures that your organization has met the specific requirements of a HITRUST certification, in addition to the more general SOC2 expectations. This offers enhanced assurance to clients, partners, and regulators about your commitment to data security.

4. Strategic and Competitive Advantages

• Enhance Credibility: Dual certification enhances your organization’s credibility and trustworthiness, signaling a commitment to stringent data security and compliance standards.
• Differentiate in the Market: Especially in highly regulated industries like healthcare and finance, dual certification provides a competitive edge by showcasing your dedication to safeguarding sensitive information and meeting industry-specific regulatory requirements.

5. Cost-Effective Compliance Management

• Optimize Resources: By leveraging the work done for SOC 2, the additional effort needed for HITRUST e1 certification is minimized, making it a cost-effective strategy for achieving comprehensive compliance.
• Simplify Reporting: While HITRUST e1 and SOC 2 assessments result in separate reports, the concurrent or sequential approach streamlines compliance efforts, making it easier to manage and present comprehensive security assurance to stakeholders.

Pursuing HITRUST e1 certification alongside or after achieving SOC 2 not only maximizes the utility of your compliance efforts but also enhances your security posture, risk management capabilities, and competitive advantage. This strategic approach ensures comprehensive coverage, reduces redundancy, and demonstrates a robust commitment to the highest standards of data protection and regulatory compliance. Contact us to learn more or get started on your HITRUST certification.