HITRUST Control Categories

HITRUST organizes controls into categories that map to common security domains. Understanding these categories helps you plan implementation and map existing controls to HITRUST requirements. Here are the key categories and what they require.

Access Control

Access control is typically the largest control category. Requirements cover user identification and authentication, role-based access, privileged access management, access reviews, multi-factor authentication, session management, and remote access controls. Most organizations have access controls in place but need to formalize and document them for HITRUST.

Risk Management

HITRUST requires a formal risk management program including risk assessment methodology, risk analysis execution, risk treatment planning, and ongoing risk monitoring. The risk assessment must identify threats and vulnerabilities specific to your environment and drive control selection.

Information Protection

Controls for protecting data at rest and in transit, including encryption requirements, key management, data classification, and data handling procedures. HITRUST specifies minimum encryption standards and requires documented key management processes.

Incident Management

Requirements cover incident response planning, detection capabilities, response procedures, communication protocols, post-incident analysis, and reporting obligations. Your incident response plan must be documented, tested, and updated based on lessons learned.

Business Continuity

Controls for ensuring service availability during disruptions, including business impact analysis, continuity planning, disaster recovery, backup procedures, and testing. HITRUST requires regular testing of continuity and recovery plans.

Human Resources Security

Controls addressing the workforce including background checks, security awareness training, acceptable use policies, disciplinary procedures, and termination processes. Training must be documented with completion records.

Common Implementation Challenges

The most challenging areas are typically: achieving the maturity levels required for r2 certification (controls must be not just implemented but measured and managed), documenting policies and procedures comprehensively, establishing evidence of consistent control operation over time, and managing third-party assurance for vendors handling sensitive data.

In the next lesson, we will cover the HITRUST certification process.