HITRUST Domains 101: Everything You Need to Know about the 19 HITRUST Domains
In 2007, HITRUST developed and launched the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), aimed at harmonizing existing standards, regulations, and best practices in data security into a single, comprehensive framework. Today, HITRUST is widely recognized as a gold standard for managing information security and privacy risks, providing organizations across industries with a scalable, flexible, and customizable approach to compliance and risk management.
At the core of the HITRUST CSF are its domains—key areas that collectively represent a comprehensive approach to information security and privacy. Each HITRUST domain addresses a specific aspect of security, offering guidelines and controls that organizations can implement to meet compliance requirements and protect sensitive data. These domains are designed to cover all facets of an organization’s security posture, from risk management and incident response to physical security and employee training.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of the 19 HITRUST domains and how they contribute to building a strong, resilient security posture.
What Are the 19 HITRUST Domains?
1. Information Protection Program
This domain lays the groundwork for the HITRUST CSF, emphasizing the development of policies, procedures, and standards for safeguarding sensitive information. It includes elements such as establishing methodologies for risk assessments, incident response planning, and data classification, helping organizations identify vulnerabilities and prioritize risk mitigation efforts.
2. Endpoint Protection
This domain focuses on securing endpoints such as desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and servers, which are often targets for cyber threats. It involves implementing robust measures like intrusion detection systems, patches, firewalls, and software updates to safeguard these critical entry points.
3. Portable Media Security
With the increased use of portable media devices, the risk of data loss and theft also rises. This domain addresses security challenges related to portable media, such as USB drives and external hard drives, by enforcing encryption and access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.
4. Mobile Device Security
This domain focuses on implementing secure mobile device management policies, ensuring secure data transmission, and protecting remote work environments from potential threats.
5. Wireless Security
The proliferation of wireless technology introduces a host of new potential vulnerabilities. This domain highlights the need for strong encryption, access controls, and monitoring mechanisms to guard against unauthorized access and data interception.
6. Configuration Management
Effective configuration management is key to maintaining the integrity and security of IT assets. This domain encourages organizations to establish configuration baselines, enforce change management policies, and regularly audit configurations to minimize vulnerabilities.
7. Vulnerability Management
As cyber threats continuously evolve, managing vulnerabilities is critical to any security program. This domain focuses on identifying, assessing, and remediating vulnerabilities in software and systems to reduce the risk of exploitation.
8. Network Protection
Securing network infrastructure is fundamental to preventing unauthorized access and data breaches. This domain covers firewall management, network segmentation, and intrusion detection systems to fortify the network perimeter.
9. Transmission Protection
This domain is dedicated to securing data during transmission between systems. It involves implementing encryption protocols and secure communication channels to ensure sensitive information remains confidential and unaltered while in transit.
10. Password Management
Passwords often serve as the first line of defense against unauthorized access. This domain advocates for strong password policies, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and regular password updates to reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
11. Access Control
Managing access to sensitive data and systems is crucial for maintaining confidentiality and preventing breaches. This domain emphasizes the principle of least privilege, ensuring users have access only to the resources necessary for their roles.
12. Audit Logging and Monitoring
Robust audit logging and monitoring are essential for detecting and responding to security incidents. This domain stresses the importance of implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms and real-time monitoring to identify suspicious activities and potential breaches.
13. Education, Training, and Awareness
Human error remains a significant factor in security breaches. This domain highlights the need for educating and training employees on cybersecurity best practices to foster a security-conscious culture within the organization.
14. Third-Party Assurance
While collaborating with third-party vendors is an essential part of growing an organization, it also introduces new security risks. This domain focuses on assessing and managing these risks, ensuring that external partners adhere to similar security standards as the organization.
15. Incident Management
Despite preventive measures, cybersecurity incidents may still occur. This domain outlines procedures for swiftly identifying, containing, and mitigating the impact of security incidents.
16. Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Maintaining business continuity in the face of unforeseen events is crucial. This domain emphasizes creating comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery plans to ensure that critical functions can resume promptly.
17. Risk Management
This domain requires organizations to conduct risk assessments and implement appropriate controls based on their risk posture. This iterative process helps organizations continuously improve their security programs.
18. Physical Environment and Safety
Even in today’s digital age, organizations still rely on physical storage locations for housing sensitive data. This domain helps organizations manage the security requirements for these physical storage areas, ensuring that information remains protected.
19. Data Protection and Privacy
This domain is essential for complying with privacy regulations. With stringent privacy laws like HIPAA in place, this domain is critical for organizations aiming to manage data securely and avoid significant fines.
Which Domains Apply to My Organization?
The HITRUST CSF is designed to be flexible and scalable, and includes multiple assessment options that can be tailored to fit your organization’s specific needs and levels of risk. For example, the e1 Assessment is a lower-effort option that includes only 44 controls and provides basic risk assurance. The r2 Assessment requires significantly more effort, covering more than 200 controls, but provides a higher level of risk assurance for organizations handling large amounts of sensitive data.
Before selecting an assessment and embarking on your journey to HITRUST certification, consider working with BARR to perform a risk analysis or readiness assessment that factors in the nature of the data you handle, your industry, and relevant regulatory requirements.
The Bottom Line
Understanding the HITRUST domains is essential for organizations looking to achieve HITRUST certification or who simply want to align their practices with industry-leading security standards. By implementing the controls outlined in these domains, organizations can ensure they are not only meeting regulatory requirements, but also proactively protecting sensitive data from a wide range of threats. As cybersecurity challenges continue to evolve, staying informed and compliant with frameworks like HITRUST CSF is key to maintaining trust with customers and building long-term cyber resilience.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about BARR’s simple, streamlined process for HITRUST engagements.