Standards Comparison

    OSHA

    Mandatory
    1970

    U.S. regulation assuring safe workplace conditions

    VS

    HITRUST CSF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards

    Quick Verdict

    OSHA mandates workplace safety standards with enforced inspections and fines for US employers, while HITRUST CSF offers voluntary cybersecurity certification harmonizing 60+ frameworks for healthcare and regulated sectors seeking trusted assurance.

    Occupational Safety

    OSHA

    Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

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

    Key Features

    • Enforces General Duty Clause for recognized hazards
    • Hierarchy of controls prioritizing engineering solutions
    • 29 CFR 1910 standards for general industry hazards
    • Mandatory injury/illness recordkeeping and reporting
    • Risk-based inspections and civil penalties
    Information Security

    HITRUST CSF

    HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF)

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

    Key Features

    • Harmonizes 60+ frameworks into single certifiable assessment
    • Risk-based tailoring using organizational and system factors
    • Five-level maturity scoring for controls
    • Centralized HITRUST validation and certification
    • MyCSF platform enables inheritance and evidence management

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    OSHA Details

    What It Is

    Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, is a U.S. federal regulation enforcing workplace safety and health standards. Its primary purpose is assuring safe conditions by reducing hazards through standards in 29 CFR 1910 (general industry) and others, using a risk-based enforcement approach with the General Duty Clause.

    Key Components

    • Subparts covering walking surfaces, PPE, hazardous materials, toxic substances (Subpart Z).
    • **Hierarchy of controlselimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE.
    • Recordkeeping (OSHA 300/300A/301 forms), inspections, penalties up to $165,514.
    • Compliance via standards, General Duty Clause, state plans.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory legal compliance avoids fines, shutdowns.
    • Reduces injuries, workers' comp costs, boosts productivity.
    • Enhances reputation, meets stakeholder ESG expectations.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, written programs (IIPP), training, audits. Applies to most U.S. employers; ongoing enforcement, no certification but inspections required.

    HITRUST CSF Details

    What It Is

    HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable, threat-adaptive control framework consolidating requirements from 60+ regulations and standards like HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It employs a risk-based approach with structured tailoring via organizational, system, and regulatory factors.

    Key Components

    • 19 assessment domains covering governance, technical safeguards, 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 (tailored, 2-year).

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Rationalizes multi-framework compliance (assess once, report many).
    • Provides credible third-party assurance for healthcare and regulated sectors.
    • Enhances risk management, reduces breach risk (99.4% breach-free reported).
    • Boosts market access, insurance benefits, and stakeholder trust.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: scoping in MyCSF, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment.
    • Suited for mid-to-large organizations in healthcare, finance; global applicability.
    • Requires Authorized External Assessors, evidence management, ~90-day operationalization.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    OSHA
    Workplace safety, health hazards, recordkeeping
    HITRUST CSF
    Information security, privacy, cyber controls

    Industry

    OSHA
    All US industries, general/construction
    HITRUST CSF
    Healthcare primary, regulated sectors global

    Nature

    OSHA
    Mandatory federal regulation enforced
    HITRUST CSF
    Voluntary certifiable framework

    Testing

    OSHA
    OSHA inspections, employer recordkeeping
    HITRUST CSF
    External assessor validation, maturity scoring

    Penalties

    OSHA
    Civil fines up to $165K per violation
    HITRUST CSF
    No penalties, loss of certification

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about OSHA and HITRUST CSF

    OSHA FAQ

    HITRUST CSF FAQ

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