Standards Comparison

    TOGAF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Vendor-neutral enterprise architecture framework and methodology

    VS

    HITRUST CSF

    Voluntary
    2022

    Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards

    Quick Verdict

    TOGAF provides enterprise architecture methodology for aligning business and IT globally, while HITRUST CSF delivers certifiable security controls for regulated industries like healthcare. Companies adopt TOGAF for strategic alignment and HITRUST for compliance assurance and market trust.

    Enterprise Architecture

    TOGAF

    TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Iterative ADM lifecycle across Preliminary to Change Management phases
    • Enterprise Continuum for classifying and reusing architecture assets
    • Content Framework with metamodel, deliverables, artifacts, building blocks
    • Architecture Capability Framework for governance, skills, maturity
    • Reference models including TRM, SIB, III-RM for interoperability
    Information Security

    HITRUST CSF

    HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF)

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

    Key Features

    • Harmonizes 60+ frameworks into single control library
    • Risk-based tailoring with organizational factors
    • Five-level maturity scoring model
    • Centralized HITRUST certification assurance
    • MyCSF platform for scoping and evidence

    Detailed Analysis

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

    TOGAF Details

    What It Is

    TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition is a vendor-neutral enterprise architecture framework developed by The Open Group. It provides a proven methodology for designing, planning, implementing, and governing enterprise-wide change across business and IT. The primary approach is the iterative Architecture Development Method (ADM), which supports tailoring to organizational context.

    Key Components

    • **ADM10-phase iterative lifecycle from Preliminary to Architecture Change Management, with ongoing Requirements Management.
    • **Content FrameworkDeliverables, artifacts, building blocks, and Content Metamodel for core entities like actors, services, data.
    • **Enterprise ContinuumClassifies reusable assets from generic reference models to organization-specific solutions.
    • **Reference ModelsTRM, SIB, III-RM for standards and boundaryless information flow.
    • **Architecture Capability FrameworkGovernance (Architecture Board), compliance, skills, maturity models. No formal certification required, but Open Group offers practitioner credentials.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives business-IT alignment, reduces duplication via reuse, improves ROI, avoids vendor lock-in, enhances governance and risk management. Strategic benefits include faster transformations, cost control, agility in regulated industries like finance, government.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased, iterative ADM application with tailoring; starts with maturity assessment, pilots high-value areas. Suited for large enterprises; requires repository, training, executive sponsorship. Voluntary adoption with ongoing change management.

    HITRUST CSF Details

    What It Is

    HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable, threat-adaptive control framework harmonizing requirements from 60+ sources like HIPAA, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It focuses on security and privacy for regulated sectors, using risk-based tailoring and a maturity scoring model to ensure operational effectiveness.

    Key Components

    • 19 assessment domains (e.g., Access Control, Risk Management, Incident Management)
    • Hierarchical: 14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications
    • **Five-level maturityPolicy (15%), Procedure (20%), Implemented (40%), Measured (10%), Managed (15%)
    • Tiered assurance: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (tailored, 2-year) via MyCSF platform

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Unified compliance: "assess once, report many"
    • Credible third-party assurance reduces questionnaires/audits
    • Improves risk management, breach reduction (99.4% breach-free)
    • Market differentiation, insurance benefits in healthcare/finance

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: scoping, gap analysis, remediation, validated assessment, monitoring
    • For healthcare, finance; scalable by size/risk
    • MyCSF tooling, external assessors required for certification; 6-18 months typical

    Key Differences

    Scope

    TOGAF
    Enterprise architecture design, planning, governance
    HITRUST CSF
    Security/privacy controls, compliance assurance

    Industry

    TOGAF
    All industries, global enterprise applicability
    HITRUST CSF
    Healthcare primary, regulated sectors, expanding

    Nature

    TOGAF
    Voluntary EA methodology/framework
    HITRUST CSF
    Certifiable control framework with assurance

    Testing

    TOGAF
    Internal governance reviews, maturity assessments
    HITRUST CSF
    External assessor validation, centralized certification

    Penalties

    TOGAF
    No formal penalties, loss of governance benefits
    HITRUST CSF
    No legal penalties, certification revocation

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about TOGAF and HITRUST CSF

    TOGAF FAQ

    HITRUST CSF FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

    Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

    Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages