HITRUST CSF
Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards
APRA CPS 234
Australian prudential standard for information security resilience.
Quick Verdict
HITRUST CSF offers voluntary, certifiable security assurance for healthcare and beyond, harmonizing 60+ standards. APRA CPS 234 mandates information security governance for Australian financial entities with strict Board accountability and APRA notifications. Organizations adopt HITRUST for market trust; CPS 234 for regulatory compliance.
HITRUST CSF
HITRUST Common Security Framework
Key Features
- Harmonizes 60+ standards into certifiable framework
- Risk-based tailoring via structured factors
- Five-level maturity model scoring controls
- Centralized validation by assessors and HITRUST
- Assess once, report many mappings
APRA CPS 234
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security
Key Features
- Board ultimate responsibility for information security
- 72-hour notification for material incidents to APRA
- Third-party managed assets fully in scope
- Systematic independent control testing required
- Asset classification by criticality and sensitivity
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
HITRUST CSF Details
What It Is
HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable, threat-adaptive control framework harmonizing over 60 standards like HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Its primary purpose is providing risk-tailored security and privacy assurance via prescriptive controls across 19 domains.
Key Components
- 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, certification.
Why Organizations Use It
- Unified compliance: assess once, report many.
- Credible third-party assurance reduces audits.
- Risk management via tailoring and maturity scoring.
- Market differentiation in healthcare, finance; 99.4% breach-free rate.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: scoping in MyCSF, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment by authorized assessors. Suited for regulated industries; requires policies, evidence, continuous monitoring. Certification valid 1-2 years.
APRA CPS 234 Details
What It Is
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority for regulated financial entities. Effective from 1 July 2019, it mandates resilience against information security incidents, including cyber-attacks, through a risk-based, assurance-driven approach focused on governance, controls, and third-party oversight across banking, insurance, and superannuation sectors.
Key Components
- 11 core requirements spanning board accountability, role definitions, capability maintenance, asset classification, lifecycle controls, incident response, systematic testing, internal audit, and APRA notifications.
- Built on CIA triad (confidentiality, integrity, availability) with commensurate controls.
- No certification; compliance via evidence-based assurance and supervisory review.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for APRA-regulated entities to avoid penalties, enforcement, and reputational damage.
- Enhances cyber resilience, stakeholder protection, and operational continuity.
- Builds trust with depositors, policyholders; supports competitive differentiation.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, governance/policy, asset classification, controls/testing, incident management.
- Applies to all sizes of regulated entities in Australia; group-wide for heads.
- Requires independent audits, annual testing; no formal certification.
Key Differences
| Aspect | HITRUST CSF | APRA CPS 234 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Comprehensive security/privacy controls across 19 domains | Information security governance and resilience for financial entities |
| Industry | Healthcare primary, industry-agnostic globally | APRA-regulated Australian financial institutions only |
| Nature | Voluntary certifiable framework with centralized assurance | Mandatory prudential regulation with enforcement powers |
| Testing | Maturity-based scoring via authorized external assessors | Systematic independent testing, annual reviews, internal audit |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market access limitations | Regulatory sanctions, fines, heightened supervision |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HITRUST CSF and APRA CPS 234
HITRUST CSF FAQ
APRA CPS 234 FAQ
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