Framework: HITRUST
by Jason Edwards
Welcome to the HITRUST Audio Course
About this podcast
The HITRUST Audio Course is a complete, audio-first guide to mastering the HITRUST i1 and r2 frameworks—two of the most widely recognized models for integrated risk and compliance management. Designed for both newcomers and seasoned professionals, this course translates complex assurance requirements into clear, plain-language lessons you can absorb on the go. Each episode walks through the structure and intent of the HITRUST frameworks, explaining how controls, maturity levels, and evidence requirements come together to create a unified, auditable security program.
Listeners gain practical insight into how to implement and maintain HITRUST controls across domains such as access management, risk assessment, incident response, and third-party assurance. The series explores the lifecycle of certification—from readiness assessments and evidence collection to assessor engagement and corrective action tracking—helping you understand what auditors look for and how to demonstrate continuous compliance. Through step-by-step narration, the course shows how HITRUST builds trust by harmonizing multiple frameworks, including NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, into one cohesive model.
Developed by BareMetalCyber.com, the HITRUST Audio Course connects policy to practice by turning regulatory complexity into structured, repeatable processes. Each episode provides actionable guidance that helps organizations improve their control maturity, streamline audit preparation, and build enduring confidence in their information protection programs.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 101 episodes
- Episode 100 — The Always-Ready Program (Annual Rhythm and 90-Day Renewal) · 12 min · Episode 100The “Always-Ready” program reflects HITRUST’s evolution toward continuous assurance—maintaining certification readiness year-round instead of cycling between peaks of preparation…
- Episode 99 — Managing Auditors, Regulators, and Customers · 12 min · Episode 99Managing external stakeholders is a core leadership skill in the HITRUST ecosystem. Candidates must understand that auditors, regulators, and customers all interpret assurance…
- Episode 98 — Executive Storytelling with HITRUST Results · 11 min · Episode 98Executive storytelling transforms complex HITRUST results into clear, actionable narratives that drive business value. Candidates must understand that leaders respond to risk…
- Episode 97 — Budget and Staffing Models that Work · 11 min · Episode 97Budgeting and staffing are among the most underestimated success factors in HITRUST certification. Candidates must understand that resource planning must match assurance scope…
- Episode 96 — Pathways from e1 to i1 to r2 · 9 min · Episode 96The HITRUST framework is intentionally structured as a maturity pathway, allowing organizations to progress from e1 to i1 to r2 as their capabilities and compliance needs evolve…
- Episode 95 — SOC 2 and HITRUST: When and How to Integrate · 8 min · Episode 95Integrating SOC 2 and HITRUST certifications allows organizations to consolidate assurance activities and demonstrate compliance across overlapping frameworks. Candidates must…
- Episode 94 — Mapping HITRUST Results to NIST CSF · 12 min · Episode 94Mapping HITRUST results to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) helps organizations align assurance findings with broader risk management strategies. Candidates must understand…
- Episode 93 — PHI in Analytics and AI Pipelines · 10 min · Episode 93The rise of analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare introduces complex assurance challenges related to PHI use and protection. Candidates must understand that…
- Episode 92 — APIs and FHIR Requirements Impact · 11 min · Episode 92APIs have become foundational to digital health ecosystems, and HITRUST certification ensures their deployment meets stringent assurance requirements. Candidates must understand…
- Episode 91 — FHIR and API Security Primer · 8 min · Episode 91The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard enables secure and efficient exchange of healthcare data through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)…
- Episode 90 — Cloud Security Gotchas by Example · 9 min · Episode 90Cloud environments introduce powerful efficiencies—but also hidden pitfalls that can undermine assurance if overlooked. Candidates must understand that HITRUST certification…
- Episode 89 — Cloud Inheritance Patterns (AWS, Azure, GCP Side-by-Side) · 10 min · Episode 89Understanding inheritance patterns across leading cloud service providers—AWS, Azure, and GCP—is essential for HITRUST practitioners. Candidates must understand that while each…
- Episode 88 — Health Tech and SaaS Providers · 10 min · Episode 88Health technology and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers occupy a unique space in the healthcare ecosystem, often hosting PHI and integrating directly with provider and payer…
- Episode 87 — Payers and Third-Party Administrators · 9 min · Episode 87Payers and Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) handle vast quantities of sensitive data for millions of insured individuals, making HITRUST certification a key element of…
- Episode 86 — Hospitals and Provider Organizations · 10 min · Episode 86Hospitals and healthcare provider organizations face unique assurance challenges due to their vast networks, clinical systems, and continuous patient-care operations. Candidates…
- Episode 85 — r2 Recap & Quick Reference · 9 min · Episode 85The r2 assessment represents the pinnacle of HITRUST assurance, validating that controls are not only implemented but continuously measured and managed. Candidates should view it…
- Episode 84 — Finalization, Certification Letter, and RDS/XChange · 10 min · Episode 84The finalization phase of an r2 assessment marks the transition from validation to official certification. Candidates must understand that HITRUST issues the certification letter…
- Episode 83 — CAPs that Actually Close at r2 · 9 min · Episode 83Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) under r2 require a higher degree of formality, tracking, and evidence validation than earlier assurance levels. Candidates must understand that…
- Episode 82 — Assessor Engagement and Q&A Cadence · 10 min · Episode 82Assessor engagement during r2 certification is a structured, collaborative process rather than a one-time audit. Candidates must understand that HITRUST assessors serve as…







