If you’ve already poured time and energy into earning your SOC 2 report, you’ve done more than check a box. You’ve built a strong foundation that puts you in a great position to keep that momentum going.
By layering HITRUST e1 onto your existing SOC 2 work, you can enhance your security posture, speed up compliance readiness, and boost stakeholder trust. Here’s why HITRUST e1 could be your smartest next step on the path to stronger, more scalable cybersecurity.
What is HITRUST e1?
HITRUST e1 is HITRUST®’s entry-level certification, offering a fast and prescriptive way for organizations to establish foundational cybersecurity assurance.
- A Foundation for Security Maturity
HITRUST e1 focuses on the 44 most essential security controls, making it ideal for low-risk, early-stage, or resource-constrained organizations. - Fast and Validated Certification
The assessment can be completed in as little as 6 weeks and results in a one-year certification, offering credibility and speed without sacrificing assurance. - Built for Growth and Interoperability
It’s part of a scalable framework (e1 → i1 → r2) that allows organizations to build upon prior work and inherit controls from other assessments or vendors.
HITRUST e1 offers a fast, credible way to validate essential security controls while laying a scalable foundation for long-term compliance growth. Learn more about the e1.
What is SOC 2?
SOC 2 reports help organizations demonstrate their commitment to trust and accountability through an independent attestation of key control areas.
- Based on Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
SOC 2 is built on the AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria, allowing organizations to choose from five focus areas: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. - Flexible, But Non-Prescriptive
SOC 2 allows organizations to define and describe their own controls as long as they align with the selected Trust Services Criteria. This flexibility supports a wide range of environments but does not prescribe how specific controls should be implemented. - Independent Attestation by a CPA Firm
SOC 2 is an attestation engagement performed by a licensed CPA firm, resulting in a formal report that expresses an opinion on the design and effectiveness of your controls. It demonstrates accountability through third-party validation but leaves control implementation details largely to the organization.
SOC 2 is a flexible and widely accepted attestation that provides independent assurance that an organization’s controls align with trust-based principles, offering flexibility in how those controls are implemented. Find out more information on LBMC’s SOC service offerings.
What is the Difference Between HITRUST e1 and SOC 2?
Although both frameworks enhance cybersecurity assurance, their purposes, processes, and rigor vary significantly.
- Certification vs. Attestation
HITRUST e1 results in a validated certification issued by HITRUST, indicating compliance with defined security standards. In contrast, SOC 2 provides an attestation report based on an auditor’s subjective assessment – less prescriptive and without a formal certification. - Specific vs. Generic Requirements
HITRUST e1 uses a prescriptive model with 44 specific controls sourced from over 60 authoritative frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, NIST, GDPR). SOC 2 offers broader criteria based on the Trust Services Criteria, often leaving control implementation open to interpretation. - Quantitative vs. Qualitative Results
HITRUST’s PRISMA-based scoring system delivers measurable insights into an organization’s security posture. SOC 2, lacking a scoring model, depends on auditor judgment – which can vary.
HITRUST e1 is more detailed, consistent, and measurable than SOC 2, offering a higher level of confidence in an organization’s cybersecurity efforts.
How Do HITRUST e1 and SOC 2 Work Together?
Despite their differences, SOC 2 and HITRUST e1 share overlapping controls, enabling organizations to leverage existing efforts to gain both.
- Significant Control Overlap
According to HITRUST, approximately 36 of HITRUST e1’s 44 controls align with 88% of SOC 2’s control requirements. This means a well-prepared SOC 2 environment can significantly streamline HITRUST e1 certification efforts. - HITRUST Adds Depth to SOC 2 Controls
SOC 2 outlines ‘what’ must be achieved while HITRUST e1 defines ‘how’ – especially in areas like data backups, where execution standards are clearly prescribed. - Concurrent or Sequential Assessment Options
By working with LBMC – both a HITRUST assessor and a CPA firm – organizations can align HITRUST e1 fieldwork with SOC 2 audits to reduce duplication. Alternatively, they can use an existing SOC 2 report as the foundation for HITRUST e1 by mapping controls and addressing gaps 90 days before fieldwork.
SOC 2 and HITRUST e1 are complementary. Organizations can efficiently pursue both by reusing evidence, aligning timelines, and addressing granular requirements upfront.
Elevate Your Compliance Journey with HITRUST e1
While SOC 2 is a valuable starting point for cybersecurity assurance, HITRUST e1 provides deeper, more consistent protection, and when integrated properly, the journey from SOC 2 to HITRUST e1 can be both efficient and rewarding.
LBMC helps clients navigate this journey with expert guidance on control mapping, fieldwork alignment, and remediation planning. Whether you’re starting with SOC 2, aiming to add HITRUST e1, or seeking both, our team offers tailored support that simplifies the process and maximizes your compliance investments.
Ready to take the next step?
Download our 8-page eBook: From SOC 2 to HITRUST e1 to see how you can elevate your organization’s security and compliance posture.