Under the i1 framework, patch and vulnerability management elevate from procedural to operational assurance. Candidates must understand that this safeguard requires demonstrable evidence of consistent, timely remediation. Organizations must establish patch prioritization based on risk, track vulnerabilities through defined workflows, and verify resolution. HITRUST assessors expect to see scan reports, ticket histories, and metrics showing adherence to defined service-level targets. The

Change and release management at the i1 level ensures that modifications to systems, software, and configurations follow controlled and auditable processes. Candidates should recognize that HITRUST emphasizes both predictability and accountability—changes must be documented, tested, approved, and implemented in a way that minimizes disruption and risk. The control objective is to maintain system stability and traceability while enabling necessary innovation. Evidence typically includes

Privacy by Design integrates data protection principles directly into system and process architecture. Within HITRUST i1, this concept ensures that personal and sensitive information is safeguarded from the moment it is collected through its entire lifecycle. Candidates must understand that Privacy by Design emphasizes proactive controls—embedding privacy into business practices rather than addressing it reactively. Policies, data flow diagrams, and system design documents serve as primary

Within the HITRUST i1 program, the term “implemented” signifies that controls are not only defined but are demonstrably operating as intended. Candidates should know that assessors look for tangible evidence—system configurations, logs, and reports—that confirm procedures are consistently executed. The focus is on operational validation, not just documentation. “Implemented” reflects the third stage of PRISMA maturity, bridging procedural awareness with measurable practice. This distinction

Access control under the i1 program demands that privileges are systematically managed, reviewed, and enforced. Candidates must understand how this differs from e1—where emphasis was on basic policies—by focusing now on verifiable, operational consistency. Access provisioning, modification, and termination must follow documented workflows, and evidence must prove adherence. HITRUST requires demonstration that accounts are reviewed periodically and that access aligns with job

Authentication controls within the i1 program extend beyond passwords, emphasizing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for critical systems and remote access. Candidates must understand the intent: ensuring identity assurance and minimizing credential-based compromise. HITRUST expects organizations to demonstrate consistent MFA enforcement across administrative and privileged accounts, and to have clear processes for credential issuance, reset, and revocation. Authentication methods must

Every HITRUST program begins with documentation, and for e1, this means assembling a clear, consistent set of foundational policies. The “policy pack” represents the organization’s intent and governance approach, forming the first layer of PRISMA maturity. Candidates should understand that a complete e1 policy pack includes core topics such as access control, incident response, data backup, and acceptable use. Each policy should define objectives, responsible roles, and periodic review

Collecting evidence in a logical, efficient order can save weeks during an assessment. Evidence assembly sequencing under e1 involves aligning documentation and artifacts with control requirements, ensuring that policies, procedures, and proofs are linked cohesively. Candidates should understand that HITRUST assessors expect clear traceability—from intent to operation. Organizing evidence in stages, beginning with documentation and followed by system output, prevents confusion and rework

The e1 program provides organizations with a structured entry point into HITRUST certification. Candidates should view it as the essential foundation for building more advanced compliance maturity. This recap reinforces the key themes of the e1 journey: defining scope, establishing core controls, documenting policy and procedure, and verifying operation through basic proofs. Each element aligns with PRISMA’s early maturity levels, setting the groundwork for scalability and continuous

The i1, or “Implemented One-Year” assessment, is designed for organizations ready to demonstrate a higher level of operational maturity beyond e1. Candidates must understand that i1 focuses on control implementation rather than basic policy existence. It requires evidence showing that safeguards are actively and consistently executed within day-to-day operations. The i1 program balances speed and depth, offering credible third-party assurance with a faster turnaround than the comprehensive

Logging and monitoring form the early warning system for detecting abnormal or malicious activity within an organization’s environment. Under e1, the emphasis is on ensuring that basic logging mechanisms are enabled, retained, and reviewed. Candidates should understand that the goal is not full-scale security operations but consistent recordkeeping that supports accountability and incident investigation. Systems must log key events such as user authentication, privilege changes, and

Secure development practices at the e1 level focus on reducing software-related risks through structured, documented procedures. Candidates must understand that even basic application development or configuration work should follow consistent coding and change management standards. HITRUST expects evidence that developers receive security awareness training, use controlled environments for testing, and document how vulnerabilities are identified and remediated. For smaller organizations or

Vendor oversight ensures that third parties entrusted with data or operational responsibilities maintain security controls consistent with organizational standards. The e1 framework requires basic due diligence, such as maintaining a vendor inventory, conducting initial risk evaluations, and including security obligations in contracts. Candidates should recognize that vendor risk management at this level emphasizes awareness and documentation rather than in-depth audits. The goal is to

Incident response under the e1 program ensures that even small organizations have a structured, repeatable process for detecting, reporting, and managing security events. Candidates must understand that the goal is preparedness rather than perfection—documenting who does what, when, and how during a cybersecurity incident. HITRUST requires that organizations define an incident response plan, identify key roles, establish communication paths, and retain records of previous incidents or

Security awareness and training form the human layer of defense within the e1 framework. Candidates must understand that HITRUST expects organizations to provide structured education on security policies, acceptable use, and reporting procedures. Training should be documented, role-specific, and refreshed regularly. This ensures employees understand their responsibilities in protecting sensitive data and can recognize social engineering or phishing attempts. Even for smaller organizations,

Access control under e1 focuses on verifying that users are granted the least privilege necessary to perform their duties and that inactive or unauthorized accounts are promptly removed. Candidates must understand the principles of identity lifecycle management, authentication, and role-based access. The controls emphasize written policies, repeatable procedures, and documented reviews rather than highly automated systems. This reflects the e1 program’s intent to establish strong security

Endpoint protection is central to the e1 framework, ensuring that devices used by employees, contractors, and partners maintain baseline security configurations. Candidates must understand that endpoint controls in e1 prioritize anti-malware, secure configurations, and regular updates. The focus is on establishing the foundation for protecting data at the device level, particularly when endpoints are used in hybrid or remote environments. Policy-driven management, combined with lightweight

Patch and vulnerability management under e1 ensures that known system weaknesses are identified and corrected promptly. This safeguard reflects one of the most basic yet powerful cybersecurity practices: maintaining current, secure software. Candidates should understand the distinction between patching—applying updates—and vulnerability management—identifying, assessing, and prioritizing exposures. e1 emphasizes procedural discipline: policies defining patch frequency, documented

Data backup and recovery are critical components of operational resilience in the HITRUST e1 program. These controls ensure that organizations can restore essential data and maintain business continuity after incidents such as hardware failure, accidental deletion, or cyberattack. Candidates must understand that e1 focuses on basic but verified processes: defining backup frequency, securing backup storage, and periodically testing restoration. The intent is not to create an enterprise-grade

The network and boundary protection safeguards in e1 address how data moves between systems and how unauthorized access is prevented. These controls form a defensive perimeter that protects internal resources from external threats. Candidates must know that e1 focuses on firewalls, secure configurations for routers and wireless networks, and limited remote access. Documentation and configuration records play a vital role, as assessors verify that logical and physical network boundaries are