HITRUST, the global leader in cybersecurity assurance, offers robust security certifications that empower organizations to demonstrate their cyber maturity. SOC 2 is a security attestation (not a certification), which organizations are often required to pursue.

HITRUST e1 offers a more prescriptive and accurate evaluation compared to SOC 2, but it is possible for organizations that have a SOC 2 or are required to pursue it to leverage their work and streamline attaining a HITRUST e1. Let’s explore how.

Granularity vs. broadness: Analyzing the difference

One of the key differences between HITRUST and SOC 2 is the granularity of their controls. HITRUST is known for its specific and detailed requirements. SOC 2 controls are often broad and generic. For instance, one of the SOC 2 controls (CC1.4) focuses on showing a commitment to attracting and developing competent individuals. This control is broad, leaving much to the organization’s discretion regarding its implementation.

HITRUST e1 takes a more granular approach by breaking it down into specific control requirements. It requires an organization to have basic security awareness training during onboarding. It also mandates dedicated phishing awareness training that helps employees identify and track potential phishing attempts. HITRUST e1 ensures that organizations thoroughly address critical aspects of information security awareness.

Therefore, you may meet SOC 2 controls by having basic processes in place, but you may not satisfy HITRUST e1 requirements if you don’t execute the specific steps mandated by HITRUST. HITRUST’s approach ensures you implement the right controls to protect data effectively.

Data backups: Comparing overlapping controls

Let's consider controls related to data backups to understand how they overlap between HITRUST e1 and SOC 2 assessments.

SOC 2 defines the responsibilities for data backup processes broadly, including tasks like authorizing, designing, developing, implementing, operating, and maintaining the processes. It offers organizations flexibility in how they meet the control requirements.

HITRUST e1 gives detailed requirements. It specifies that data backups must be created and maintained offline in an immutable format, stored at a remote location, and tested regularly to ensure they cannot be altered or deleted. Organizations must complete these steps to meet HITRUST’s requirements and ensure a higher standard of data protection.

This illustrates that a SOC 2 control might partially align with HITRUST e1’s requirements, but additional steps are necessary to meet HITRUST’s more rigorous standards. HITRUST adds depth and specificity to security measures, ensuring that critical aspects are comprehensively addressed and data is well-protected.

Efficient compliance: Leveraging overlapping controls

Despite the differences in their control requirements, there is a significant overlap between HITRUST and SOC 2. These overlaps enable you to leverage the work done for one framework when pursuing the other. 36 of the 44 HITRUST e1 requirements map to one or more SOC 2 controls across all five Trust Services Criteria (TSC). Excluding the privacy criterion, these requirements align with all or part of 75 of the 85 SOC 2 TSC, representing about 88% overlap.

This means that if you have already completed a SOC 2 assessment or are in the process of doing so, you may be able to reuse 80%–90% of the work when performing a HITRUST e1 assessment. You can significantly streamline your compliance efforts, save time, and reduce costs with this approach. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the additional controls required by HITRUST e1 that are more granular or go beyond SOC 2’s generic guidelines.

HITRUST e1 certification: Pursuing over SOC 2

HITRUST e1’s prescriptive approach offers several advantages over SOC 2’s broader framework. HITRUST e1 ensures that critical aspects of cybersecurity are thoroughly evaluated and addressed. It reduces the risk of gaps in your security posture and enhances overall data protection. Unlike SOC 2, HITRUST e1 provides a reliable certification that demonstrates your commitment to safeguarding sensitive information and empowers you to build trust.

Get a HITRUST e1 certification along with, after, or instead of a SOC 2 assessment for an effective, trusted approach to cybersecurity and risk management. Leverage overlapping controls to efficiently pursue both and ensure you meet a high standard of data protection and cyber maturity. With HITRUST e1, you gain more than certification — you gain strategic advantages in today’s complex cybersecurity landscape.