Key Takeaways
- Faster, Lighter Certification: The HITRUST i1 Rapid Recertification reduces testing by focusing on a 60-control sample, saving time and cutting audit costs.
- Eligibility Matters: To qualify, you need a current i1 on version 11+, a full MyCSF subscription, and a stable control environment with no major changes.
- Start Early: Prep begins 180 days before expiration. Meeting key deadlines ensures a smooth path to renewed certification.
If you’re getting ready for your HITRUST i1 recertification, you’re in the right place. Here we provide a brief overview of a newer HITRUST assessment type, the Rapid Recertification option, and inform you how we can make the process as smooth as possible. We’ll cover the steps to achieve an i1 certification, the eligibility criteria for rapid recertification, and the expected timeline and effort that will be necessary.
How often do organizations need to recertify with HITRUST? Can you explain more about i1 controls?
Before we get into the details of rapid recertification, let’s discuss the HITRUST i1 certification. HITRUST i1 is all about keeping your cybersecurity game strong. It’s a one-year validated assessment that ensures your organization is ready to protect against current and emerging cyber threats. Think of it as your annual health check-up, but for your information security. Having a valid i1 certification is the first prerequisite to obtaining a rapid recertification.
The HITRUST i1 certification is designed for organizations with top-notch information security programs ready to show off their security skills. It has a recertification process that can make life a lot easier for your organization. Perfect for mid-level organizations, the i1 certification offers more assurance than the e1. It covers fewer HITRUST requirements than the r2 Validated Assessment but supports a complete cybersecurity program. It provides stronger assurances than similar assessments with a comparable level of effort. The focus is on practical implementation to assess information security programs. An i1 certification gives your customers confidence about your environment and serves as a solid benchmark for your cybersecurity practices.
What are the key requirements for HITRUST i1 Rapid certification?
HITRUST offers a Rapid Recertification option for i1 assessments. This shortcut allows you to evaluate a selection of requirement statements to prove your control environment is still where it was during the initial certification. If you meet certain requirements, you can roll forward scores from your previous assessment, cutting down on the amount of testing needed. To qualify for the i1 Rapid Recertification process, there are a few criteria that need to be met. Remember, HITRUST will have the final say on eligibility.
Organizations must have an active i1 Validated Assessment certified on version 11 or later. Eligible entities should be subscribed to the full MyCSF platform. If the initial assessment used the Lite Bundle, upgrading to at least a professional subscription will be necessary for rapid recertification. The control environment should not have significantly deteriorated since the full i1 Assessment. Any major changes or degradation in controls may affect eligibility and disqualify an organization from being able to perform a rapid recertification.
HITRUST uses a sampling method to evaluate the control environment’s effectiveness. This involves assessing a selection of i1 requirement statements to show that the control environment hasn’t materially degraded since the previous i1 Certification. As long as this has not occurred, the assessed entity can roll forward scores from their previous i1 Assessment for the remaining requirement statements, reducing the amount of testing needed. HITRUST performs a sample-based QA review of the requirement statements in the i1 Rapid Recertification Assessment, like a full i1 Assessment. The key difference is that HITRUST doesn’t QA any requirement statements with scores carried from the previous assessment, ensuring that only controls tested during the current assessment are considered. The i1 Rapid Recertification results in the same i1 Assessment Reports and i1 Certification as a full i1 Assessment.
In the i1 Rapid Recertification Assessment, a subset of 60 requirement statements previously scored in the full i1 Assessment are reassessed. This means reducing the required control testing by a third and significantly lightening the load for your organization. Statements that were deemed not applicable (N/A) during the full i1 assessment are revisited to verify their N/A status is still valid. Any requirement statements needing a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) during the full i1 Assessment are reassessed. This ensures a comprehensive and efficient recertification process, maintaining the original i1 certification’s robustness while confirming the control environment’s continued effectiveness.
Meeting these criteria ensures an easy transition to the i1 Rapid Recertification process. By reducing the number of audit requirements that need to be reassessed, an organization can realize two major benefits: decreased audit fatigue and lower audit-related costs. Just like any great adventure, you won’t be going it alone. You’ll team up with authorized HITRUST External Assessor organizations – like us at LBMC. We can help inspect your documented evidence and validate your control implementation. Think of us as your trusty sidekicks on a cybersecurity quest.
What is the timeline for the Rapid Recertification?
Here are some key dates for organizations considering the HITRUST i1 Rapid Recertification. The timeline for the HITRUST i1 Rapid Recertification process is structured in a way to allow for a thorough and efficient assessment. The process starts 180 days before the active i1 Certification expires. At this point, the assessed entity and external assessor are notified that the i1 Rapid Recertification Eligibility Questionnaire is available within the full i1 Assessment in MyCSF.
Once the Eligibility Questionnaire is completed and the assessed entity is deemed eligible for i1 Rapid Recertification, they can schedule a QA Reservation for the i1 Rapid Recertification Assessment. Then, 120 days before the active i1 Certification expires, the i1 Rapid Recertification Assessment object is autogenerated in MyCSF. This 120-day period includes a 30-day planning period and a maximum 90-day fieldwork period.
The QA Reservation can be modified or canceled within the i1 Rapid Recertification Assessment up to 30 days before the reservation date without a penalty. Pay close attention to these key dates to ensure you don’t miss out on the rapid recertification process, which can heavily reduce the effort required for an additional year of certification. Once you’ve navigated the recertification process, it will be time to celebrate! You’ll receive the same i1 Assessment Reports and i1 Certification as a full assessment.
You might be wondering, “Why go through a certification process every year?” Well, recertification ensures your organization stays ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving world of cyber threats. It’s like keeping your superhero cape in tip-top shape – ready to divert any cybersecurity vulnerability that comes your way.
Simplifying Cybersecurity: A Smarter Path to i1 Recertification
In conclusion, the HITRUST i1 Rapid Recertification process offers a streamlined, cost-effective approach to recertifying your organization’s cybersecurity practices. The HITRUST i1 certification process might sound daunting, but with the Rapid Recertification option and a bit of preparation, it’s more like a fun adventure than a tedious task. So, gear up, stay vigilant, and keep your cybersecurity armor shining bright!
Click here to learn more about how LBMC can help with HITRUST recertification.
Content provided by Maggie Dowdle, LBMC Senior Cybersecurity Consultant. She can be reached at maggie.dowdle@lbmc.com.