Healthcare leaders frequently face the HITRUST vs SOC 2 decision when choosing how to validate data security and privacy practices.
As healthcare organizations adopt more digital tools to manage and transmit protected health information (PHI), maintaining strong data security practices has become essential. HIPAA provides the regulatory foundation, but independent audits and certifications offer additional assurance to clients, partners, and regulators.
SOC 2 is an attestation standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). It evaluates how service organizations manage data based on five Trust Services Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
HITRUST CSF is a certifiable framework created by the HITRUST Alliance. It combines standards from HIPAA, NIST, ISO, and other sources into a single, unified structure. Organizations in highly regulated industries, especially in healthcare, use HITRUST to meet strict security expectations and contractual requirements.
This article outlines these frameworks and sets the stage for a deeper analysis of HITRUST vs SOC 2 for compliance and operational needs.
Key Takeaways: HITRUST vs SOC 2
Organizations use SOC 2 and HITRUST in different ways to support healthcare compliance: SOC 2 is a flexible attestation that demonstrates operational maturity and data security, while HITRUST provides a prescriptive certification with direct alignment to HIPAA and other regulatory frameworks.
HITRUST is ideal for regulated healthcare environments: With its detailed control requirements, maturity scoring, and centralized certification, health systems, insurance payers, and legal stakeholders often require HITRUST for handling ePHI.
SOC 2 is a strong starting point for many vendors: It offers a faster, more adaptable audit that demonstrates foundational controls without the operational burden of HITRUST. SOC 2 is especially useful for business associates serving both healthcare and non-healthcare clients.
Each framework produces different deliverables: SOC 2 results in a confidential report used for internal and stakeholder review. HITRUST provides a certificate and scorecard, which can simplify vendor reviews and speed up procurement.
Both frameworks align with HIPAA: Achieving either certification signals a proactive approach to data protection and can serve as credible evidence of compliance during audits and breach investigations.
A phased approach is often the most practical: Many organizations start with SOC 2 to meet initial client expectations and establish baseline security practices, then pursue HITRUST as regulatory requirements or enterprise contracts demand greater rigor.
ChartRequest’s dual certification provides assurance at scale: By maintaining both SOC 2 Type II and HITRUST CSF certifications, ChartRequest offers clients a trusted, audit-ready partner for secure and compliant medical record exchange.
Understanding HITRUST vs SOC 2
To choose the right security framework, healthcare organizations must first understand the core structure and purpose of both HITRUST and SOC 2. While these frameworks share a goal of protecting sensitive information, they differ in how they define controls, who conducts the assessments, and what the certification or attestation outcomes look like.
SOC 2 Deep Dive
SOC 2 is an attestation framework that evaluates how an organization manages and protects data. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) developed the framework to help certified organizations demonstrate their internal control effectiveness.
Organizations in the technology and healthcare industries commonly adopt this framework, particularly organizations that offer cloud-based services or manage sensitive information.
The SOC 2 framework defines five Trust Services Criteria:
- Security: Protection against unauthorized access and system misuse.
- Availability: System reliability and uptime to meet service commitments.
- Processing Integrity: Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data processing.
- Confidentiality: Restriction of sensitive information to authorized users.
- Privacy: Responsible collection, use, and retention of personal information in line with applicable laws.
What is the Difference Between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
SOC 2 audits come in two forms: Type I and Type II.
A Type I report evaluates internal controls at a single point in time. For organizations that are early in their compliance efforts or preparing for a future Type II audit, this can be a practical first step to demonstrate control design before committing to a longer audit period.
A Type II report goes further by assessing how those controls operate over a defined period, usually between three and twelve months. Once controls are in place, the organization operates them consistently throughout the review period. The independent auditor then examines documentation, collects evidence, and tests whether the controls functioned as intended.
SOC 2 is especially valuable for healthcare vendors that serve multiple industries or manage operational data that may not fall directly under HIPAA. It provides a flexible but structured way to demonstrate that security and privacy controls are functioning consistently and can stand up to external scrutiny.
How Do SOC 2 Audits Work?
SOC 2 audits typically begin with a readiness assessment. This step helps organizations identify any missing policies, procedures, or technical controls before a formal audit. After addressing these gaps, the organization begins the audit period for a Type II report, which usually spans three to twelve months.
During this period, the organization must operate its internal controls consistently. A licensed CPA firm then performs the audit by testing controls, collecting evidence, and verifying that the controls were effective throughout the review window.
The final SOC 2 Type II report includes a system description, a detailed list of controls, and the auditor’s opinion on their effectiveness. It may also highlight any exceptions or areas for improvement.
HITRUST Deep Dive
The HITRUST Alliance developed the HITRUST CSF security framework for organizations in highly regulated industries, particularly healthcare. The HITRUST CSF integrates requirements from HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, and other standards into a single, comprehensive framework.
Unlike SOC 2, HITRUST is prescriptive. It defines specific controls and assigns them based on the organization’s size, systems, regulatory exposure, and risk profile. The framework groups these controls into 19 control domains.
What Are the 19 Control Domains of HITRUST?
- Information Protection Program: Establishes foundational security policies, procedures, and risk assessment methodologies.
- Endpoint Protection: Focuses on securing devices like computers, servers, and mobile endpoints from intrusion and malware.
- Portable Media Security: Addresses risks associated with devices like USB drives through encryption and access controls.
- Mobile Device Security: Enforces secure mobile management, especially for remote and hybrid work environments.
- Wireless Security: Promotes encryption and access controls to protect wireless networks from unauthorized access.
- Configuration Management: Ensures consistent security through baseline configurations and controlled change management.
- Vulnerability Management: Focuses on identifying, evaluating, and remediating security vulnerabilities.
- Network Protection: Secures the organization’s network perimeter using tools like firewalls and segmentation.
- Transmission Protection: Protects data in transit through encryption and secure communication protocols.
- Password Management: Reinforces password strength, MFA, and update policies to minimize unauthorized access.
- Access Control: Limits data and system access based on user roles and the principle of least privilege.
- Audit Logging and Monitoring: Enables tracking and analysis of system activity to detect and respond to threats.
- Education, Training, and Awareness: Encourages ongoing staff training on cybersecurity policies and best practices.
- Third-Party Assurance: Evaluates the security practices of vendors and partners who access sensitive systems.
- Incident Management: Defines response plans for identifying, containing, and recovering from security incidents.
- Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: Prepares the organization to maintain operations during disruptions.
- Risk Management: Guides continuous risk evaluation and the implementation of appropriate security controls.
- Physical Environment and Safety: Covers physical access restrictions and environmental safeguards for sensitive areas.
- Data Protection and Privacy: Aligns organizational practices with privacy regulations like HIPAA and GDPR.
How Do HITRUST Audits Work?
To begin the certification process, organizations typically complete a readiness assessment. This step helps identify any missing controls or documentation before a formal audit. After that, an authorized HITRUST External Assessor performs a validated assessment by testing controls and collecting evidence.
To earn certification, organizations must achieve at least a level 3 (“Implemented”) across all applicable controls. Certification is valid for two years, with an interim review required in the second year to ensure controls remain in place and effective.
The organization submits the completed assessment to the HITRUST Alliance for quality assurance review. HITRUST then assigns scores to each control based on five maturity levels:
- Policy
- Process
- Implemented
- Measured
- Managed
Many healthcare contracts require HITRUST certification because it offers a direct mapping to HIPAA and provides third-party verification of compliance. The detailed scorecard and centralized review process give regulators and partners a high level of confidence in an organization’s data protection capabilities.
What Are the Similarities Between SOC 2 and HITRUST?
Although SOC 2 and HITRUST differ in structure and certification approach, they share several core objectives. These frameworks help organizations safeguard sensitive data and demonstrate that effective security and privacy controls are in place.
Key similarities include:
Shared Control Areas: Both frameworks focus on access controls, data encryption, incident response, and vendor risk management. Each requires organizations to:
- Use role-based access management
- Encrypt data in transit and at rest
- Maintain audit logs
- Implement and test formal incident response procedures
Alignment with HIPAA: The controls required by SOC 2 and HITRUST support compliance with HIPAA’s administrative, technical, and physical safeguards, even though neither framework is mandated by the regulation.
Use in Vendor Assessments: Both are widely adopted in vendor due diligence processes. Healthcare organizations often request SOC 2 or HITRUST reports from business associates and technology partners to validate their security posture.
Organizations pursuing one of these frameworks frequently find their controls align with the other, especially when operating in healthcare or other regulated environments.
What Are the Differences Between SOC 2 vs HITRUST?
Although both SOC 2 and HITRUST aim to validate how organizations manage data privacy and security, they differ in how they are structured, audited, and applied.
Key differences include:
- Control structure: SOC 2 allows organizations to define their own controls; HITRUST uses a fixed set of prescriptive controls based on risk.
- Regulatory mapping: HITRUST includes direct mappings to HIPAA, NIST, and ISO frameworks. SOC 2 does not include direct regulatory mapping.
- Audit process: SOC 2 audits are conducted by CPA firms and finalized without third-party oversight. HITRUST assessments are performed by authorized assessors and reviewed by the HITRUST Alliance.
- Reporting outputs: SOC 2 results in a confidential report; HITRUST provides a public-facing certificate and scored maturity report.
SOC 2, developed by the AICPA, is an attestation framework. It evaluates how well internal controls function over time using broad criteria, making it more flexible and adaptable across industries. HITRUST, on the other hand, offers a formal certification tailored to regulated sectors like healthcare. Its standardized controls and scoring system provide a more rigorous and consistent benchmark for compliance.
These differences influence how each framework is used in vendor management, procurement, and demonstrating regulatory alignment.
Who Needs SOC 2 or HITRUST?
Choosing between SOC 2 vs HITRUST often depends on the organization’s role in the healthcare ecosystem, the types of data it handles, and the expectations of its clients and partners. Both frameworks support compliance goals but serve different strategic needs.
Common SOC 2 and HITRUST use cases include:
- Healthcare providers and health systems often require HITRUST from third-party vendors managing clinical or patient data.
- Business associates such as billing vendors, cloud storage providers, and IT service firms often start with SOC 2 to demonstrate foundational security practices.
- Payers and legal stakeholders frequently mandate HITRUST due to its certification status and regulatory alignment.
Healthcare organizations that handle protected health information (PHI) directly are more likely to require HITRUST certification from their vendors, as it demonstrates a high level of control maturity and alignment with HIPAA. In contrast, SOC 2 Type II is well suited for companies that need to show operational reliability and trustworthy security practices across industries.
Many organizations begin with SOC 2 to establish a compliance foundation, then pursue HITRUST as client demands and regulatory complexity increase. This phased approach can help balance resource constraints with long-term compliance goals.
ChartRequest Is SOC 2 and HITRUST Compliant
At ChartRequest, protecting sensitive health information is central to our mission. Our platform supports the secure exchange of medical records between providers, attorneys, and insurers, and we recognize the responsibility that comes with handling protected health information (PHI) on behalf of covered entities and business associates.
We have achieved both SOC 2 Type II and HITRUST CSF alignment. This demonstrates our commitment to high standards of data protection, operational maturity, and regulatory alignment. It assures our clients that their data is managed using tested, verified controls that meet industry expectations.
This reflects our broader commitment to developing a secure and resilient infrastructure that adapts to evolving regulatory demands.
Whether you are a healthcare provider, payer, or legal stakeholder, ChartRequest offers solutions designed to support compliant, efficient, and secure information exchange.
Learn how we can help meet your organization’s data security and compliance goals.
