FISMA
U.S. federal law mandating risk-based cybersecurity programs
HITRUST CSF
Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards
Quick Verdict
FISMA mandates risk-based security for US federal agencies via NIST RMF, while HITRUST CSF offers voluntary certification harmonizing 60+ standards for healthcare and regulated sectors. Agencies comply to avoid penalties; others certify for trusted assurance and market access.
FISMA
Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014
Key Features
- Mandates NIST RMF 7-step risk management process
- Requires continuous monitoring and authorization
- Enforces agency-wide security programs with ATO
- Demands real-time major incident reporting
- Extends to federal contractors and supply chains
HITRUST CSF
HITRUST Common Security Framework
Key Features
- Harmonizes 60+ frameworks into unified controls
- Risk-based tailoring via scoping factors
- Five-level maturity scoring model
- Certifiable via MyCSF and assessors
- Assess once, report many mappings
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
FISMA Details
What It Is
Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2014 is a U.S. federal law establishing a risk-based framework for protecting federal information and systems. It mandates agency-wide information security programs using the NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) with seven steps: Prepare, Categorize, Select, Implement, Assess, Authorize, Monitor.
Key Components
- Core elements: system categorization (FIPS 199), controls from NIST SP 800-53, continuous monitoring (SP 800-137).
- Oversight by OMB, DHS/CISA, IGs with maturity metrics aligned to NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
- No formal certification; compliance via annual reporting, independent IG evaluations, and ATO decisions.
Why Organizations Use It
Federal agencies and contractors must comply to avoid penalties, IG downgrades, contract loss. Provides risk reduction, resilience, market access for vendors. Builds trust through standardized practices, enables strategic alignment with mission outcomes.
Implementation Overview
Phased RMF approach: governance setup, inventory, control deployment, assessments, ongoing monitoring. Applies to federal executive agencies, contractors handling federal data; scales from large enterprises to smaller vendors. Requires audits, POA&Ms, no external certification but IG/OMB validation.
HITRUST CSF Details
What It Is
HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable, risk-based control framework harmonizing requirements from 60+ standards like ISO 27001, NIST 800-53, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It provides threat-adaptive, prescriptive controls tailored via organizational, system, and regulatory risk factors.
Key Components
- 19 assessment domains and hierarchical structure (14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications).
- Five-level maturity model: Policy, Procedure, Implemented, Measured, Managed.
- Tiered assessments: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (tailored).
- MyCSF platform for scoping, evidence, and certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Unified compliance for 'assess once, report many'.
- Credible third-party assurance in healthcare/finance.
- Risk reduction (99.4% breach-free certified orgs), market differentiation.
- TPRM efficiency, insurance benefits.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment.
- MyCSF-driven, assessor-led certification (1-2 years validity).
- Targets regulated industries, any size; voluntary but contractually driven. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | FISMA | HITRUST CSF |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Federal info systems, NIST RMF lifecycle | Harmonized controls across 60+ standards, 19 domains |
| Industry | US federal agencies, contractors | Healthcare primary, industry-agnostic regulated sectors |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal law | Voluntary certifiable framework |
| Testing | Continuous monitoring, IG annual assessments | Validated assessments by authorized assessors |
| Penalties | Contract loss, debarment, IG reports | No legal penalties, loss of certification |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about FISMA and HITRUST CSF
FISMA FAQ
HITRUST CSF FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
Real-World ISO 27701 Success: Synthesized Case Studies, Metrics, and Lessons for Privacy Resilience
Real-world ISO 27701 success from Tribeca, Kocho: DSAR efficiency gains, risk score reductions, certification ROI. Synthesized metrics prove privacy resilience
Beyond the Burden: How Intuitive Compliance Software Transforms Daily Workflows
Explore intuitive compliance software that automates workflows, simplifies onboarding, and reduces stress. Cut non-compliance costs 3x and boost efficiency for
CIS Controls v8.1 for Cloud & SaaS: A Practical Safeguard Playbook for AWS/Azure/GCP and Microsoft 365
Turn CIS Controls v8.1 into a cloud-first playbook for AWS, Azure, GCP & Microsoft 365. Get actionable IaaS/PaaS/SaaS safeguards, automation patterns, evidence
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
CMMC vs UAE PDPL
Compare CMMC vs UAE PDPL: Decode DoD cybersecurity tiers (NIST 800-171) & UAE data privacy rules. Master compliance for defense & global ops. Key insights await!
GMP vs GRI
Discover GMP vs GRI: Compare core standards for manufacturing compliance & sustainability reporting. Gain expert insights on differences, implementation & global strategies. Explore now!
COPPA vs ISO 30301
Discover COPPA vs ISO 30301: Compare child privacy rules & records mgmt standards. Ensure compliance, safeguard data, dodge fines—key diffs revealed!