Standards Comparison

    HITRUST CSF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards for compliance

    VS

    MAS TRM

    Mandatory
    2021

    Singapore guidelines for financial technology risk management.

    Quick Verdict

    HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable, risk-tailored security assurance globally, especially healthcare, via maturity-scored assessments. MAS TRM mandates supervisory technology risk governance for Singapore FIs, enforced through fines and revocations for resilience.

    Information Security

    HITRUST CSF

    HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF)

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

    Key Features

    • Harmonizes 60+ frameworks into certifiable control library
    • Risk-based tailoring using organizational and system factors
    • Maturity scoring across policy, implementation, measured, managed
    • Centralized HITRUST validation and Authorized Assessor ecosystem
    • Assess-once-report-many with MyCSF platform and inheritance
    Technology Risk Management

    MAS TRM

    MAS Technology Risk Management Guidelines (2021)

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

    Key Features

    • Board and senior management accountability
    • Proportional risk-based implementation
    • Third-party risk as first-class domain
    • Layered cyber defense and resilience
    • Annual penetration testing for internet systems

    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, prescriptive requirements for security and privacy in regulated sectors, using a maturity-based scoring model.

    Key Components

    • 19 assessment domains covering governance, technical controls, and resilience.
    • Hierarchical structure: 14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications.
    • Five-level maturity model (policy, procedure, implemented, measured, managed).
    • Tiered certifications: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (risk-based).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Consolidates compliance for "assess once, report many."
    • Builds stakeholder trust via independent validation.
    • Reduces third-party risk and audit fatigue.
    • Drives operational maturity; 99.4% certified breach-free.
    • Enables market access in healthcare, finance.

    Implementation Overview

    Multi-phase: scoping via MyCSF, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment by Authorized Assessors. Suited for regulated industries; requires evidence automation, inheritance for cloud. Certification valid 1-2 years with ongoing monitoring.

    MAS TRM Details

    What It Is

    MAS Technology Risk Management (TRM) Guidelines (January 2021) are supervisory guidelines from Singapore's Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for financial institutions. They provide a principles-based framework for governing and controlling technology and cyber risks, emphasizing proportional implementation based on risk profile and complexity to ensure CIA of systems and data.

    Key Components

    • 15 main sections covering governance, risk frameworks, secure development, IT operations, resilience, access controls, cryptography, cyber operations, assessments, and audit.
    • Synthesized into 12 core principles like board accountability, asset management, third-party oversight, and layered cyber defenses.
    • No fixed controls; focuses on outcomes with independent assurance.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory observance for MAS-supervised FIs to avoid enforcement (fines, license actions).
    • Enhances resilience, reduces cyber incidents, builds customer trust.
    • Supports digital transformation securely; aligns with global standards like NIST CSF.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: governance setup, asset inventory, risk assessment, controls, testing, monitoring.
    • Applies to banks, insurers, fintechs in Singapore; scalable by size/complexity.
    • No certification; demonstrated via audits, board reporting, supervisory reviews. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    HITRUST CSF
    Comprehensive certifiable controls across 19 domains
    MAS TRM
    Technology risk governance and cyber resilience for FIs

    Industry

    HITRUST CSF
    Healthcare primary, industry-agnostic globally
    MAS TRM
    Singapore financial institutions only

    Nature

    HITRUST CSF
    Voluntary certifiable framework with assessors
    MAS TRM
    Supervisory guidelines with enforcement consideration

    Testing

    HITRUST CSF
    Maturity-scored validated assessments via MyCSF
    MAS TRM
    Annual PT for internet systems, regular VA

    Penalties

    HITRUST CSF
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties
    MAS TRM
    Fines, license revocation, executive prohibitions

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about HITRUST CSF and MAS TRM

    HITRUST CSF FAQ

    MAS TRM FAQ

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