What is HITRUST and do I need it instead of SOC 2?
HITRUST is a certifiable healthcare-focused security framework built around the HITRUST CSF, not an AICPA product. Most companies need it in addition to, not instead of, SOC 2 — and only when a healthcare customer specifically requires it.
The full answer
HITRUST is a private framework maintained by HITRUST, not the AICPA. Its core, the HITRUST CSF, maps and harmonizes many other standards — including HIPAA requirements, ISO 27001, and NIST — into one certifiable control set. Because it leans heavily toward healthcare data, hospitals and large health systems frequently ask their vendors for a HITRUST certification.
SOC 2 is different in kind. Under the AICPA's SSAE No. 18 standards, SOC 2 is an attestation report a licensed CPA firm issues about your controls; HITRUST is a certification you earn against a defined control catalog. They overlap in subject matter but serve different buyer expectations, which is why they usually coexist rather than substitute.
Whether you "need" HITRUST comes down to your customers. If you sell to health plans, hospital networks, or large healthcare platforms that name it in contracts, you will likely need it eventually. If your buyers are typical B2B SaaS or fintech companies, a SOC 2 Type 2 almost always satisfies them and HITRUST would be premature.
A common sequence is SOC 2 first, then HITRUST once a healthcare deal demands it. SOC 2 Type 2 audits through the AuditNex network start at $2,500 as a network offer.
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Related questions
Can one audit firm do SOC 2 and ISO 27001 together?
Often yes, if the firm holds both a CPA license for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 accreditation, or partners with an accredited certification body. Many providers now run a combined audit that shares evidence and fieldwork to save time.
Do I need both SOC 2 and ISO 27001?
Usually not at first. Most US startups start with SOC 2 to close deals; ISO 27001 matters more for international or enterprise buyers. Many companies eventually hold both because auditors can reuse overlapping evidence.
Do government buyers accept SOC 2?
Sometimes. State and local agencies and government contractors often accept a SOC 2 Type 2, but most federal cloud work requires FedRAMP, and defense contracts increasingly require CMMC. SOC 2 helps, yet rarely replaces those government-specific programs.
Does PCI DSS overlap with SOC 2?
Yes, they share many technical controls — access management, encryption, logging, and vulnerability management — but they don't substitute for each other. PCI DSS is a prescriptive, mandatory standard for handling cardholder data; SOC 2 is a flexible CPA attestation.
Does SOC 2 cover AI and LLM features?
Yes, indirectly. SOC 2 has no AI-specific criteria, but its technology-neutral Trust Services Criteria cover any system in your defined scope — including AI and LLM features — for security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, and privacy.
Does SOC 2 help with GDPR?
Partly. SOC 2 is not a GDPR certification, but a report with the confidentiality and privacy criteria demonstrates many security safeguards the GDPR expects. You still need GDPR-specific steps like lawful basis, data subject rights, and processing agreements.
Sources: HITRUST CSF framework documentation; AICPA SSAE No. 18 attestation standards; HHS Office for Civil Rights HIPAA guidance. Answer written and maintained by the AuditNex research team; last reviewed July 26, 2026. AuditNex is a marketplace — accredited firms price and scope engagements independently.