HITRUST CSF
Certifiable framework harmonizing security from 60+ standards
GDPR UK
UK regulation for personal data protection and privacy.
Quick Verdict
HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable security assurance harmonizing 60+ standards for healthcare and beyond, while GDPR UK mandates lawful personal data processing with strict principles and rights. Companies adopt HITRUST for trusted third-party reports; GDPR UK to avoid massive fines and ensure compliance.
HITRUST CSF
HITRUST Common Security Framework
Key Features
- Harmonizes 60+ frameworks for assess once, report many
- Risk-based tailoring via organizational, system factors
- Five-level maturity model from policy to managed
- Centralized certification with MyCSF and assessors
- Tiered paths: e1 essentials, i1 implemented, r2 tailored
GDPR UK
UK General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Seven core data processing principles
- Accountability and demonstrable compliance
- Data subject rights enforcement
- 72-hour breach notification to ICO
- Mandatory DPIAs for high-risk processing
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 60+ standards including HIPAA, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It provides risk-tailored security and privacy assurance through prescriptive controls and maturity-based assessments.
Key Components
- 19 assessment domains grouping hierarchical controls (14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications)
- Five-level maturity model: Policy, Procedure, Implemented, Measured, Managed
- Tiered offerings: e1 (44 essentials), i1 (182 implemented), r2 (risk-based)
- MyCSF platform for scoping, evidence, remediation
Why Organizations Use It
- Unified multi-regulatory compliance, enabling "assess once, report many"
- Standardized third-party assurance reduces questionnaires and audits
- Improves risk management, operational maturity, breach reduction (99.4% breach-free)
- Market trust, sales acceleration, insurance benefits in healthcare/reg sectors
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping via risk factors, readiness/gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment, continuous monitoring
- Suits all sizes, healthcare-focused but industry-agnostic
- Requires Authorized External Assessors, HITRUST QA for certification
GDPR UK Details
What It Is
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation) is the UK's post-Brexit adaptation of the EU GDPR, a binding regulation enforced by the ICO. It establishes a risk-based framework for protecting personal data of UK individuals, applying to controllers and processors established in the UK or targeting UK data subjects extraterritorially.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimisation, accuracy, storage limitation, security, accountability.
- Data subject rights (access, erasure, portability, objection).
- Controller/processor obligations (RoPA, contracts, DPIAs).
- No formal certification; compliance via demonstrable accountability, with fines up to 4% global turnover.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for legal compliance; reduces breach risks, fines (£17.5M max), reputational harm. Builds trust, enables secure data use in AI/marketing, supports cross-border operations.
Implementation Overview
Phased: data mapping (RoPA), policies, training, DPIAs, vendor contracts, breach playbooks. Applies to all sizes handling UK data; ongoing audits, no certification but ICO enforcement.
Key Differences
| Aspect | HITRUST CSF | GDPR UK |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Security/privacy controls across 19 domains | Personal data processing principles and rights |
| Industry | Healthcare-focused, industry-agnostic globally | All sectors processing UK personal data |
| Nature | Voluntary certifiable framework | Mandatory legal regulation |
| Testing | Maturity-scored validated assessments by assessors | Self-demonstrated compliance, ICO audits |
| Penalties | Loss of certification, no legal fines | Fines up to £17.5M or 4% global turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about HITRUST CSF and GDPR UK
HITRUST CSF FAQ
GDPR UK FAQ
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