Standards Comparison

    HITRUST CSF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards

    VS

    Basel III

    Mandatory
    2010

    Global framework for bank capital, leverage, and liquidity standards

    Quick Verdict

    HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable security assurance for healthcare and regulated firms via maturity-scored controls, while Basel III mandates capital, leverage, and liquidity standards for banks. Organizations adopt HITRUST for third-party trust; Basel for systemic stability.

    Information Security

    HITRUST CSF

    HITRUST Common Security Framework

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Harmonizes 60+ standards into certifiable library
    • Risk-based tailoring via scoping factors
    • Five-level maturity scoring model
    • MyCSF platform for assessments and inheritance
    • Centralized HITRUST QA and certification
    Financial Risk Management

    Basel III

    Basel III: International Regulatory Framework for Banks

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Strengthened CET1 capital requirements and buffers
    • Non-risk-based leverage ratio backstop
    • Liquidity Coverage Ratio for 30-day stress
    • Net Stable Funding Ratio for structural resilience
    • Enhanced Pillar 3 disclosure templates

    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. It provides risk-tailored security and privacy controls across 19 domains, using a prescriptive maturity model.

    Key Components

    • Hierarchical structure: 14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications.
    • 19 assessment domains (e.g., Access Control, Risk Management).
    • Five-level maturity (Policy, Procedure, Implemented, Measured, Managed).
    • Tiered certifications: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182), r2 (tailored, 2-year).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Unified compliance: assess once, report many.
    • Third-party assurance reduces audit fatigue.
    • 99.4% breach-free rate in certified environments.
    • Market differentiation in healthcare, finance.

    Implementation Overview

    Multi-phase: scoping via MyCSF, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment by authorized assessors. Suited for regulated industries; requires evidence management, inheritance for cloud. High resource needs, 12-18 months typical.

    Basel III Details

    What It Is

    Basel III is the international regulatory framework developed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) post-global financial crisis. It sets prudential standards for banks, focusing on enhancing resilience through improved capital quality and quantity, leverage constraints, and liquidity requirements. Its risk-based approach combines minimum ratios with buffers and non-risk-based metrics.

    Key Components

    • **Three PillarsPillar 1 (capital, leverage, liquidity ratios like CET1 4.5%, leverage 3%, LCR/NSFR 100%); Pillar 2 (supervisory review/ICAAP); Pillar 3 (disclosures for comparability).
    • Capital buffers (CCB 2.5%, CCyB, G-SIB surcharges).
    • Output floor limiting internal model benefits.
    • Compliance via national implementation, no central certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Banks adopt it for regulatory compliance, as jurisdictions mandate it. Benefits include reduced systemic risk, better funding costs, and strategic balance-sheet optimization. Enhances stakeholder trust amid crises.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased enterprise transformation: gap analysis, data/system upgrades, governance setup. Applies to internationally active banks globally; involves QIS, stress testing, ongoing reporting/audits. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    HITRUST CSF
    Security/privacy controls across 19 domains
    Basel III
    Bank capital, leverage, liquidity ratios

    Industry

    HITRUST CSF
    Healthcare, regulated sectors, industry-agnostic
    Basel III
    Internationally active banks, financial institutions

    Nature

    HITRUST CSF
    Voluntary certifiable framework
    Basel III
    Mandatory prudential regulatory standards

    Testing

    HITRUST CSF
    External assessor validated assessments
    Basel III
    Supervisory review, ICAAP, stress testing

    Penalties

    HITRUST CSF
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    Basel III
    Fines, capital add-ons, business restrictions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about HITRUST CSF and Basel III

    HITRUST CSF FAQ

    Basel III FAQ

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