Standards Comparison

    HITRUST CSF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards

    VS

    ISO 31000

    Voluntary
    2018

    International guidelines for enterprise risk management

    Quick Verdict

    HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable security controls for healthcare and regulated sectors, while ISO 31000 provides non-certifiable risk management guidelines for any organization. Companies adopt HITRUST for third-party assurance; ISO 31000 for integrated enterprise risk governance.

    Information Security

    HITRUST CSF

    HITRUST Common Security Framework

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

    Key Features

    • Harmonizes 60+ frameworks into single certifiable assessment
    • Risk-based tailoring via structured scoping factors
    • Five-level maturity scoring for control effectiveness
    • Centralized HITRUST QA with Authorized Assessors
    • MyCSF platform supports inheritance and multi-reporting
    Risk Management

    ISO 31000

    ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines

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

    Key Features

    • Eight core risk management principles
    • Integrated framework with leadership commitment
    • Iterative six-step risk process
    • Customizable for any organization size
    • Non-certifiable guidelines for flexibility

    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 authoritative sources like HIPAA, NIST 800-53, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It employs a risk-based, maturity-driven approach with hierarchical controls across 19 domains.

    Key Components

    • 14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications organized into 19 assessment domains.
    • Five-level maturity model (policy, procedure, implemented, measured, managed).
    • Tiered assessments: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (tailored).
    • MyCSF platform for scoping, inheritance, and certification.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Demonstrates unified compliance for "assess once, report many."
    • Builds stakeholder trust via independent validation.
    • Reduces third-party risk in healthcare/finance.
    • Delivers 99.4% breach-free rate, ROI via efficiency/market access.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased via MyCSF: scoping, readiness, remediation, validated assessment by Authorized Assessors, certification (1-2 years validity). Suited for regulated industries; requires evidence management, policy maturity. (178 words)

    ISO 31000 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 31000:2018, Risk management — Guidelines is an International Organization for Standardization framework providing non-certifiable guidelines for systematic risk management. Its primary purpose is to help organizations of any size or sector manage uncertainty affecting objectives, emphasizing value creation and protection through principles, framework, and process.

    Key Components

    • **Three pillars8 principles (e.g., integrated, customized, dynamic), framework (leadership, integration, design, implementation, evaluation, improvement), and 6-step process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/review, recording/reporting).
    • Built on PDCA cycle for continual improvement.
    • No fixed controls; flexible, tailored approach.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Enhances decision-making, resilience, and governance.
    • Drives strategic benefits like better resource allocation and opportunity capture.
    • Builds stakeholder trust; aligns with regulations indirectly.
    • Competitive edge in risk-informed strategies.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: leadership alignment, gap analysis, pilot, rollout, monitoring.
    • Involves policy, training, tools like risk registers.
    • Applicable universally; no certification, internal assurance via audits.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    HITRUST CSF
    Security/privacy controls across 19 domains
    ISO 31000
    Enterprise-wide risk management principles/process

    Industry

    HITRUST CSF
    Healthcare primary, all regulated sectors
    ISO 31000
    All industries, any organization globally

    Nature

    HITRUST CSF
    Certifiable control framework
    ISO 31000
    Non-certifiable guidelines

    Testing

    HITRUST CSF
    Validated assessments by external assessors
    ISO 31000
    Internal monitoring, reviews, no certification

    Penalties

    HITRUST CSF
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    ISO 31000
    No penalties, voluntary guidelines

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about HITRUST CSF and ISO 31000

    HITRUST CSF FAQ

    ISO 31000 FAQ

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