HITRUST CSF
Certifiable framework harmonizing security controls for regulated industries
CMMI
Global framework for process maturity and improvement
Quick Verdict
HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable security assurance for healthcare via risk-tailored controls and maturity scoring, while CMMI builds process maturity across industries through staged capability levels. Organizations adopt HITRUST for compliance trust, CMMI for predictable delivery.
HITRUST CSF
HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF)
Key Features
- Harmonizes 60+ frameworks for assess-once-report-many
- Risk-based tailoring via structured risk factors
- Five-level maturity scoring per control requirement
- Tiered certifications: e1 essentials, i1 implemented, r2 risk-based
- MyCSF platform for scoping, evidence, inheritance
CMMI
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)
Key Features
- Maturity levels 0-5 for organizational progression
- 25 practice areas in four category areas
- SCAMPI A/B/C appraisals for benchmarking
- Staged and continuous representations
- Generic practices for process institutionalization
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 requirements from 60+ standards like HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It provides risk-tailored security and privacy controls across 19 domains, using a maturity-based approach.
Key Components
- Hierarchical structure: 14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications.
- 19 assessment domains covering governance, technical safeguards, resilience.
- Five-level maturity model (policy, procedure, implemented, measured, managed).
- Tiered certifications: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (tailored, 2-year).
Why Organizations Use It
- Consolidates compliance for "assess once, report many."
- Builds stakeholder trust via independent validation.
- Reduces third-party risk, cyber insurance costs.
- Enables market differentiation in healthcare, finance.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping in MyCSF, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment.
- Involves policies, evidence automation, assessor fieldwork.
- Suited for regulated industries; requires 6-18 months, high resources.
CMMI Details
What It Is
Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) is a renowned process improvement framework originated by the Software Engineering Institute and governed by ISACA. It aims to elevate organizational performance through structured process maturity in development, services, and acquisition domains. CMMI uses a maturity progression approach with levels assessing predictability and optimization.
Key Components
- 25 Practice Areas (v2.0) across 4 Category Areas: Doing, Managing, Enabling, Improving
- 6 Maturity Levels (0-5) and Capability Levels for targeted advancement
- Generic Goals/Practices ensuring institutionalization
- SCAMPI appraisals (A/B/C) for validation and ratings
Why Organizations Use It
- Drives predictable delivery, quality gains, rework reduction
- Fulfills defense/contractual mandates, regulatory alignment
- Mitigates operational risks, enhances competitiveness
- Builds stakeholder trust via benchmarked maturity ratings
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, piloting, training, rollout, sustainment
- Suits mid-to-large firms in IT, software, regulated sectors
- Emphasizes evidence, tailoring, Agile integration
- Requires SCAMPI Class A for formal certification
Key Differences
| Aspect | HITRUST CSF | CMMI |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Security/privacy controls across 19 domains | Process improvement across 25 practice areas |
| Industry | Healthcare primary, regulated industries | Software, defense, multi-industry wide |
| Nature | Certifiable security assurance framework | Voluntary process maturity model |
| Testing | Validated assessments by external assessors | SCAMPI appraisals by lead appraisers |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, market access | No formal penalties, lost contracts |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HITRUST CSF and CMMI
HITRUST CSF FAQ
CMMI FAQ
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