HITRUST vs SOC 2: What's the Difference & Which to Choose?

Confused about the differences between HITRUST vs SOC 2?

Struggling to choose the right compliance framework for your specific needs?

We got your back.

In this guide, we'll break down the key differences between HITRUST and SOC 2 certifications, helping you choose the right path for your business.

What is HITRUST?

HITRUST stands for the Health Information Trust Alliance. It was established in 2007 to address data security, compliance, and risk management, primarily in the healthcare sector.

At its core, HITRUST offers the Common Security Framework (CSF), a comprehensive and certifiable set of controls drawn from various frameworks, including HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and PCI DSS.

This framework helps organizations protect sensitive data like Protected Health Information (PHI) and ensures a risk-based approach rather than just compliance.

HITRUST certification serves as an assurance of meeting HIPAA requirements and demonstrating robust data security.

Who needs to comply with HITRUST?

Organizations that handle or process PHI are prime candidates for HITRUST certification.

This includes:

Healthcare providers
Insurers
Business associates (such as IT vendors managing patient data)

HITRUST is often mandated contractually by stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem to ensure regulatory compliance and data security.

Here’s an example scenario where a HITRUST certificate is crucial:

Let’s say you own a company that provides data analytics for hospitals and you are looking to work with a local hospital.

After a phone call and in-person meeting, the hospital is interested and agrees to work with your company.

However, before they sign the service agreement, the hospital wants to see your data analytics company’s HITRUST compliance certificate to validate that your processes meet HIPAA standards. It’s a deal-breaker for them.

Unfortunately, your company is not compliant with HITRUST and thus the deal gets cancelled, all because you don’t have valid evidence to show, that their data is safe with you.

(That’s how quickly deals can be lost in this day and age.)

What does the HITRUST compliance process look like?

The HITRUST process involves six key steps:

Define Scope: Identify the data, systems, and operations to be included.
Conduct Gap Analysis: Compare existing policies against HITRUST requirements to identify deficiencies.
Remediate Gaps: Address the identified gaps with appropriate policies, procedures, and technical controls.
Validated Assessment: Engage a certified HITRUST assessor to evaluate the controls.
Quality Assurance Review: HITRUST Alliance reviews the assessor’s findings for accuracy.
Certification Issuance: Receive certification if all requirements are met.

The timeline varies but often takes months, depending on the organization’s complexity. For instance, small clinics may need only a few months, but larger hospitals with intricate systems might require significantly longer.

What is SOC 2?

SOC 2 (a.k.a Service Organization Control 2) is a compliance framework established by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). It evaluates how organizations manage customer data based on the five Trust Services Criteria:

Security
Availability
Processing integrity
Confidentiality
Privacy.

SOC 2 audits result in a report that gives detailed insight into an organization's data security posture, which is important for companies providing cloud services and/or handling sensitive customer data.

P.S: Unlike HITRUST, SOC 2 is not industry-specific and is widely applicable across sectors like technology, finance, and SaaS.

Why and when would a company need a SOC 2 report?

SOC 2 compliance is often required when organizations handle client data in the cloud or provide services to enterprises that demand high security standards.

A SOC 2 report:

Builds trust with customers by proving robust data protection.
Facilitates vendor approvals, as many contracts require SOC 2 compliance.
Enhances the company’s reputation in competitive markets.

For example, a SaaS company offering customer relationship management software might need SOC 2 compliance to close deals with Fortune 500 firms.

What does the SOC 2 compliance process involve?

The SOC 2 process includes:

Scoping: Define which systems and Trust Services Criteria apply.
Gap Assessment: Identify gaps in existing controls.
Implementation: Address identified gaps by implementing necessary controls.
Audit: Engage a certified CPA to evaluate the effectiveness of the controls.
Report Issuance: Receive the SOC 2 report, which may be Type I (point-in-time) or Type II (over a review period).

SOC 2 audits typically take 3–12 months, depending on the type, complexity and what compliance automation solution you use (if any).

With EasyAudit you can get SOC 2 compliant in just 2-3 months and at half the cost compared to traditional methods. The sooner you start, the sooner those enterprise deals will be yours → Get started today.

What’s the Difference Between HITRUST and SOC 2?

Now that we understand what both frameworks are about, let's take a look at how they differ:

Industry focus and scope

HITRUST: Primarily focuses on the healthcare industry, addressing the unique challenges of PHI protection.

SOC 2: Versatile and applies to various industries like SaaS, fintech, and cloud computing.

Cost comparison

HITRUST: Certification can be costlier due to its comprehensive nature, ranging from $40,000 to over $100,000 depending on scope and organization size.

SOC 2: While also expensive, typically costs between $10,000 and $60,000 for Type I and $30,000–$100,000 for Type II.

For a more detailed breakdown on SOC 2 compliance costs, check out our blog: How Much Does a SOC 2 Certification Cost in 2024?

Assessment methodology

HITRUST: employs a rigorous, risk-based approach, offering varying levels of certification (e1, i1, r2).

SOC 2: Focus on adherence to chosen Trust Services Criteria and offer two report types (Type I and Type II), emphasizing operational controls.

Control frameworks

HITRUST: CSF consolidates controls from multiple frameworks, including HIPAA, NIST, and ISO.

SOC 2: Allows organizations to define their controls within the AICPA's Trust Services Criteria, offering more flexibility but less prescriptive guidance than HITRUST.

Validity period

HITRUST: Certifications vary in validity:

e1 and i1: 1 year
r2: 2 years with a required interim assessment.

SOC 2: Reports are valid for one year, requiring annual reassessments.

Which to Choose, HITRUST or SOC 2?

The decision between HITRUST and SOC 2 comes down to your industry, resources, business goals, and timeline.

Let’s go through them one by one and figure out which compliance certificate you need (if not both).

Industry Requirements

Healthcare organizations or businesses handling PHI typically prioritize HITRUST.

However, companies in tech, finance, or other industries, SOC 2 may align better with customer expectations.

Resources

SOC 2 offers more flexibility for companies with a limited budget or simpler systems, while HITRUST demands significant time and financial investment.

Business Goals

If your business requires HIPAA compliance or operates in healthcare, HITRUST is indispensable.

SOC 2, on the other hand, benefits organizations across both healthcare and non-healthcare sectors.

Timeline

With SOC 2 you have the option to opt in for Type I audits, which can be completed fast, making it suitable for businesses with urgent compliance needs.

HITRUST may require longer preparation, particularly for r2 assessments.

5 Key Takeaways

HITRUST is healthcare-specific, SOC 2 is industry-neutral.
The HITRUST CSF consolidates controls from various standards, providing a robust approach for managing healthcare-related data security.
SOC 2 evaluates organizations based on the Trust Services Criteria.
HITRUST certifications last 1–2 years. SOC 2 requires annual reassessments.
Choosing the right framework depends on industry and goals.

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FAQs

Can a company pursue both HITRUST and SOC 2 certifications?

Yes, companies can pursue both certifications, especially if they serve clients across multiple industries.

For example, an analytics platform for healthcare and SaaS companies may adopt HITRUST for healthcare clients and SOC 2 to demonstrate data security practices to SaaS customers.

Do HITRUST and SOC 2 certifications overlap in requirements?

Yes, there is some overlap. HITRUST consolidates controls from frameworks like HIPAA, NIST, and ISO, many of which align with SOC 2’s Trust Services Criteria for security, confidentiality, and privacy..

Is HITRUST required for HIPAA compliance?

HITRUST is not legally required for HIPAA compliance, but it is widely recognized as a comprehensive way to demonstrate adherence to HIPAA’s security and privacy rules.

Many healthcare organizations prefer HITRUST certification as it provides a structured and certifiable approach to managing HIPAA compliance.

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