Comparison: ISO 27001 & HITRUST

Modified on Wed, May 1 at 1:27 PM

Avidon Health utilizes an ISO 27001 compliant Information Security Management System (ISMS), comprised of 114 security controls divided across 14 domains. We selected ISO 27001 because of its broad applicability across multiple industries and its international recognition.

ISO 27001 and HITRUST are two different frameworks that focus on information security management. Here are some key differences between them:

ISO 27001 is an international standard that helps organizations establish, implement, and maintain an information security management system (ISMS). It is a generalized framework that can be applied to any organization, regardless of industry. ISO 27001 provides a systematic approach to managing sensitive company information, ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
HITRUST, on the other hand, is a framework specifically designed for the healthcare industry. It stands for Health Information Trust Alliance. HITRUST incorporates aspects of various regulations and standards, including ISO 27001, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), and others. It provides a comprehensive set of controls and requirements tailored to the unique needs of healthcare organizations.
Both frameworks address information security. HITRUST includes specific controls and requirements targeted to the healthcare industry in the US.
ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard, whereas HITRUST is focused on the United States healthcare industry, and is generally not recognized outside of that scope.

HITRUST vs. ISO 27001: A Comparative Chart

Attribute	HITRUST	ISO 27001	Why Avidon Health Chooses ISO 27001
Focus	Healthcare Industry	Industry-agnostic	Our ISO 27001 certification shows our commitment to meeting the security needs of clients across all industries, making our solutions versatile and robust.
Scope	Narrow, healthcare specific compliance goals.	Broad, security controls are tailored to meet requirements of any organization.	We tailor our security controls to our specific needs and challenges, ensuring a more customized and comprehensive security posture.
Structure	19 domains, prescriptive controls	14 domains, flexible guidelines	Our ISO certification lets us implement controls that are directly aligned with the unique requirements of digital healthcare.
Certification Process	Third-party HITRUST CSF certification	Two-stage audit by accredited body	Our stringent two-stage audit process for ISO ensures we meet the highest international standards of data security and management.
Certification Validity	Generally two years	Three years with annual audits	With a 3-year validity and regular audits, our ISO certification assures long-term commitment to excellence in security, and adherence to the controls we apply.
Regulatory Focus	U.S. regulations (e.g., HIPAA)	Global, less focused on regional regulations	ISO's global focus allows us to offer our top-notch digital health solutions to clients around the world with confidence.
Flexibility	Less flexible	Highly flexible	ISO 27001 gives us the agility to adapt and scale our security measures as the digital healthcare landscape evolves.
Geographical Adoption	Mostly U.S.	Global	The ISO 27001 security standard is recognized globally, showcasing our commitment to international standards and widening our market reach.