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The Skinny on IT Compliance Certifications from Hardest to Easiest

In this article, we get the skinny on IT Compliance Certifications Ranked from Hardest to Easiest (including HIPAA)

Table of contents:

IT compliance is a field in continuous flux. Due to its dynamic nature, evolving standards, frameworks, and regulations impact how organizations maintain compliance. Several factors contribute to this evolution, including rapid technological advancements, emerging cybersecurity threats, globalization, jurisdictional variations, and an increasing focus on data privacy. Consequently, organizations across all industries often grapple with the question: “How much effort is required to obtain the latest compliance certification?” To address this, we’ve ranked the most common certifications from most to least challenging, highlighting key aspects and recent updates for each.

1. FedRAMP [Top]

FedRAMP authorization is widely regarded as one of the most challenging certifications for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) due to its extensive security controls, stringent documentation requirements, mandatory assessments by accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs), and the need for authorization by a federal agency or the Joint Authorization Board (JAB).

Key Points to Consider:

  1. Any CSP (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure) that will provide cloud services to United States federal agencies must obtain FedRAMP authorization. This authorization ensures that the CSP meets the federal government security standards.
  2. Costs for certification may be substantial, often ranging from hundreds of thousands of dollars to over a million dollars. These costs encompass extensive documentation, security implementations, assessments by 3PAOs, and ongoing compliance activities.
  3. FedRAMP categorizes systems into three impact levels – Low, Moderate, and High – based on the potential impact of a security breach. Each level has a specific set of security controls:
    • Low impact – 125, controls
    • Moderate impact – 325 controls
    • High impact – 421 controls
  4. Beyond initial authorization, CSPs are required to implement a continuous monitoring program. This involves regular security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and prompt remediation of identified risks and issues to ensure ongoing compliance and protection from threats.

What are the latest FedRAMP updates?

  1. May 2023 – FedRAMP updated its security control baselines to align with NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5, introducing new controls and enhancing privacy and supply chain risk management guidance.
  2. December 2022 – The FedRAMP Authorization Act was signed into law as part of the FY23 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), formalizing FedRAMP as the primary evaluation program for CSP security.

Achieving FedRAMP authorization is complex, resource-intensive, and demanding, reflecting the federal government’s commitment to securing cloud services used by its agencies.

2. HITRUST [Top]

HITRUST certification is a strenuous benchmark for organizations, particularly in healthcare, demonstrating their commitment to safeguarding sensitive information. The process involves detailed security assessments, stringent control implementations, and continuous monitoring to ensure adherence to the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF).

Key Points to Consider:

  1. While HITRUST is essential for healthcare organizations handling protected health information (PHI), it has also been applied by entities in finance, technology, and other sectors that manage sensitive data. This adaptability of the framework allows organizations to tailor controls to a degree based on their specific regulatory requirements and risk profiles.
  2. HITRUST provides multiple assessment options to align with the organization’s risk exposure, goals, and assurance needs.
    • e1 Assessment – Focuses on basic cybersecurity hygiene with 44 requirement statements that are suitable mainly for organizations with foundation security assurance.
    • i1 Assessment – Considered a best practices assessment that is recommended for moderate risk scenarios. It includes 187 requirement statements that emphasize essential cybersecurity controls.
    • r2 Assessment – The most comprehensive, risk-based assessment that covers a broad range of controls (e.g., 400+) across 19 domains such as access control, incident management, and risk management. This assessment is designed for organizations with significant risk profiles.
  3. Certification costs vary based on organization size, complexity, and assessment type, ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, typically requiring up to a year for readiness.
  4. Organizations must use the MyCSF tool for assessment reporting, requiring an annual subscription fee based on organization size and needs.

What are the latest HITRUST Updates?

  1. 2023 – HITRUST released CSF version 11, introducing selectable compliance factors and updated mapping to authoritative sources.
  2. November 2024 – HITRUST launched the AI Security Assessment with Certification, addressing risks associated with AI systems.

HITRUST certification demands significant resources (personnel, finances) and a cultural shift toward compliance to achieve and sustain certification.

3. Cyber Security Maturity Model Certification CMMC [Top]

CMMC is a framework established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the cybersecurity posture of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Achieving CMMC compliance is required for organizations seeking to engage in DoD contracts, as it ensures the protection of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the supply chain.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. All entities, including subcontractors, that participate in the DIB and the DoD’s supply chain must complete CMMC certification to be eligible for contract awards. Non-compliance disqualifies organizations from bidding on DoD requests for proposals.
  2. CMMC consolidates a variety of cybersecurity standards and best practices from the industry. This includes NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172 among others. This integration increases the complexity of compliance efforts as organizations must contend with many control requirements (depending on the level of assessment).
  3. The updated CMMC 2.0 framework is broken into three assessment levels:
    • Level 1 (Foundational) – Basic cyber practices (FAR 52.204-21), self-assessed annually.
    • Level 2 (Advanced) – Aligns with NIST 800-171, requiring either self-assessment or 3PAO assessment.
    • Level 3 (Expert) – Protects CUI with enhanced security controls from NIST SP 800-172, assessed by government officials.
  4. Compliance costs range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, with significant recurring costs.

What are the latest CMMC Updates?

  • October 15, 2024 – The DoD published the final CMMC Program Rule in the Federal Register, effective December 16, 2024.
  • Spring 2025 – CFR Part 48 will mandate CMMC certification as a condition for DoD contract awards.

CMMC compliance is resource-intensive, requiring significant cybersecurity measures, documentation, and continuous monitoring.

4. Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) Compliance [Top]

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a globally recognized framework established to safeguard payment card information and reduce credit card fraud. Developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which includes major payment brands like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, PCI DSS outlines a set of security requirements for organizations that store, process, or transmit cardholder data. While typically considered a more moderate level of complexity compared to FedRAMP, HITRUST, and CMMC, the PCI standard still requires significant time, resources, and effort for successful certification.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. PCI DSS compliance is mandatory for all entities involved in handling payment card data, regardless of size or transaction volume. This includes merchants, service providers, and financial institutions. Non-compliance can result in significant fines, increased transaction fees, or the revocation of the ability to process card payments.
  2. PCI DSS comprises 12 fundamental requirements designed to protect cardholder data. These include, among others:
    • Maintaining secure configurations, networks, and software.
    • Identifying and protecting cardholder and account data with encryption.
    • Implementing logical access controls and restricting physical access to cardholder data.
    • Test and monitor the security of the cardholder data environment regularly.

      These requirements aim to establish a secure environment that protects cardholder data, manages vulnerabilities, and maintains a structured level of governance for processes that utilize cardholder data.
  3. As part of compliance, the PCI DSS defines different compliance validation levels based on the organization’s annual transaction volume. This includes:
    • Level 1: Over 6 million transactions annually.
    • Level 2: Between 1 million and 6 million transactions annually.
    • Level 3: Between 20,000 and 1 million transactions annually.
    • Level 4: Fewer than 20,000 transactions annually.

      Depending on the level organizations may be required to undergo an annual assessment conducted by a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) or complete a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ).
  4. Achieving PCI DSS compliance can be complex due to the extensive scope of security controls and the need to provide detailed documentation for the assessment. Organizations must be able to implement and demonstrate security measures, maintain detailed records, and ensure continuous monitoring of their cardholder data environment to achieve certification. This process typically requires investment in technology, personnel training, and consistent ongoing maintenance year after year to adhere to the standard.

What are the latest PCI updates?

  • In June 2024 the PCI Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) published PCI DSS v4.0.1 which encompassed a limited revision to the standard. The update included corrections to formatting and clarified the intent of certain requirements and guidance that had been provided with v4.0. Note that v4.0 introduced a significant number of new requirements to strengthen controls pertaining to authentication measures, encryption protocols, and monitoring and testing procedures. The aim behind this change was to better address emerging threats.
  • Organizations are encouraged to transition to PCI DSS v4.0.1 promptly as v4.0 was retired in December 2024. v4.01 is the active standard supported by the PCI SSC.

Achieving and maintaining PCI DSS compliance is a core effort for organizations that handle payment card data. It requires a comprehensive approach to security, continuous monitoring, and technical controls (e.g., segmentation). All these controls require investment from the organization to ensure ongoing sufficiency of the organization’s practices from a people, process, and technology standpoint and to ensure the security of the data they manage.

5. System and Organization Controls (SOC 2) Type II [Top]

SOC 2 Type II reports focus on a service organization’s controls related to the Trust Services Criteria (TSC): security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. These reports are particularly relevant for technology and cloud service providers that handle or process customer data (e.g., data centers, SaaS applications, CSPs). Obtaining this certification is considered moderate compared to the above efforts. However, a commitment of time and resources is still important to achieve success. Often organizations are required to obtain a SOC 2 report by their customers as a term of doing business. As such, while not as significant an effort as above, there could be significant pressure to obtain the certification.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. SOC 2 Type II reports assess the design and operational effectiveness of controls over a specified period, typically ranging from three to twelve months. The evaluation provides assurance that the service organization’s controls are designed and operating effectively to meet the selected Trust Services Criteria. The most common TSC selected for analysis includes security, availability, and confidentiality.
  2. The assessment involves a review of the organization’s control environment, including risk assessment, control activities, information and communication systems, and monitoring activities. Auditors test the operating effectiveness of controls to ensure they function as intended over the assessment period. This involves collecting control operating evidence during this period, something more difficult than point-in-time snapshots required by certifications like PCI.
  3. Similar to a SOC 1 report a SOC 2 Type II report typically includes:
    • Management’s description of the service organization’s system.
    • A written assertion by management regarding the fairness of the system’s description and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.
    • The service auditor’s opinion on the fairness of the system’s description and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.
  4. Achieving SOC 2 Type II compliance demonstrates an organization’s commitment to safeguarding client data. It provides clients with assurance that the organization has implemented effective controls to protect data against unauthorized access and breaches.

What are the latest SOC 2 Type II updates?

  • In October 2022, the AICPA published an updated SOC 2 Audit Guide, which includes revisions to the Description Criteria requirements and Points of Focus for the Trust Services Criteria. The guide also incorporates requirements from new attestation standards and clarifies applicable standards to enhance reporting quality and consistency or updates were noted:

Achieving SOC 2 Type II compliance is a comprehensive process that requires an evaluation of an organization’s control environment over an extended period. While demanding, obtaining this certification provides valuable assurance to clients and stakeholders regarding the organization’s commitment to effective internal controls and data protection. In fact, as it is often a requirement of customers, it is an important initiative to align with organizational objectives.

6. ISO 27001 Certification [Top]

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 is the latest iteration of the internationally recognized standard for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an Information Security Management System (ISMS). It provides an approach to managing sensitive company information and ensuring its confidentiality, integrity, and availability. ISO 27001 is typically considered a moderately difficult certification to achieve. Much depends on the size and complexity of the organization, its business processes, and the security management systems in place. While the certification is voluntary, many customers of technology organizations require it as part of doing business. As such organizations must implement a risk-based approach to implement necessary controls, develop detailed evidence and documentation, and continually implement the governance aspects of an ISMS.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. ISO 27001 emphasizes a risk-based approach, requiring organizations to identify information security risks and implement appropriate controls to mitigate them. This involves conducting regular risk assessments and updating security measures as necessary.
  2. ISO 27001 is applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries, though it is particularly designed for those handling sensitive or confidential information, such as finance, healthcare, IT services, and government industries. Implementing ISO 27001 demonstrates a commitment to information security and can provide a competitive advantage.
  3. Implementation of ISO 27001 requirements not only covers security controls (e.g., access control, logging and monitoring, network security) but also controls related to the management of human resources and physical security of the organization’s locations. Additionally, ISO is particular about establishing detailed governance around the ISMS to ensure a clear definition of objectives, metrics, roles and responsibilities, and the establishment of committees required to keep the program going.

What are the latest updates to ISO 27001?

  • In October 2022 ISO 27001 was updated to reflect evolving information security challenges. Some of these changes included a restructuring of Annex A (the core set of control requirements), 11 new controls, and revisions of other controls to adjust clarity and emerging threats.

While considered moderate, achieving ISO 27001:2022 certification is a comprehensive process that requires a deep evaluation of an organization’s information security practices. While demanding, obtaining this certification provides assurance to clients and stakeholders regarding the organization’s commitment to effective information security management.

7. System and Organization Controls (SOC 1) Type II [Top]

SOC 1 Type II reports are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a service organization’s controls that are relevant to user entities’ internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). These reports are essential for organizations that provide services impacting their client’s financial statements, such as payroll processing, transaction management, or data hosting services. The level of complexity for SOC 1 Type II depends on whether the organization must certify over financial control types or the security, availability, and confidentiality principles. While considering a more moderate effort than the above certifications, SOC 1 Type II still requires a significant investment of time due to the nature of analyzing the controls over several months.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. SOC 1 Type II reports assess the design and operational effectiveness of controls over a specified period, typically ranging from six to twelve months. This evaluation provides assurance that the service organization’s controls are designed and operated effectively to meet control objectives related to financial reporting.
  2. The assessment is conducted under the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 18 (SSAE 18). Auditors evaluate the service organization’s system description, the fairness of the presentation of that description, and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.
  3. To complete the report the following components must include:
    • Management’s description of the service organization’s system.
    • A written assertion by management regarding the fairness of the system’s description and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.
    • The service auditor’s opinion on the fairness of the system’s description and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls.
  4. Often obtaining SOC 1 Type II demonstrates the organization’s commitment to maintain effective control over financial reporting. While challenging to achieve, this usually helps build client confidence and facilitates client compliance with regulations by providing necessary assurance for outsourced services.

Latest Updates

  • In February 2023, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) released updated guidance for SOC 1 reports. These updates provide enhanced implementation guidance for auditors and users, bringing clarity to several emerging industry topics and promoting reporting quality and consistency.

Achieving SOC 1 Type II compliance is a moderately significant process that requires a thorough evaluation of an organization’s control environment over an extended period. While demanding, obtaining this certification provides valuable assurance to clients and stakeholders regarding the organization’s commitment to effective internal controls over financial reporting.

8. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Compliance [Top]

The HIPAA Security Rule establishes national standards to protect individuals’ electronic protected health information (ePHI) that is created, received, used, or maintained by covered entities and their business associates. It is codified in Title 45 of the CFR, Part 164, Subpart C (§§ 164.302 – 164.318). This mandate also extends to employers or schools that handle health information. The rule requires the implementation of appropriate administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and security of ePHI. The security rule represents the simplest of these certification efforts for a few reasons:

  1. The Security Rule allows for flexibility in implementation. Covered entities assess their own risks and implement measures appropriate for their circumstances. This may lead to only risk-based attention to areas such as change management, patch management, and systems development lifecycle.
  2. The Security Rule is a standalone set of regulations making it a singular focus that simplifies the compliance process versus those with overlapping standards. Many controls may not even be applicable such as in cases where organizations do not develop their own software (e.g., physician practices).
  3. The evaluation of compliance does not require third parties or formal certification. Rather it is completed as a self-assessment.

Key Points to Consider:

  1. The Security Rule applies to covered entities, including health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and healthcare providers that transmit any health information in electronic form. It also extends to business associates—persons or entities that perform functions or activities on behalf of, or provide services to, a covered entity that involve the use or disclosure of ePHI.
  2. Entities must conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities, develop and implement policies and procedures to address these risks and maintain documentation of all security measures and compliance activities. Regular reviews and updates to security measures are also considered essential to accommodate changes in technology or threats to the organization.

Latest Updates

  • In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to strengthen the HIPAA Security Rule. The proposed changes aim to enhance cybersecurity measures in response to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks targeting healthcare information.

Compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule is a critical responsibility for entities handling electronically protected health information. By implementing the required administrative, physical, and technical safeguards, organizations can protect sensitive patient data from unauthorized access and breaches. Note, however, that while the HIPAA Security rule may seem less demanding, compliance still requires a dedication of resources to implement the controls required.

There are plenty of other IT compliance frameworks and certifications  However, we picked the most popular ones that we see in the IT compliance profession.

Click here to find out more about the various IT Compliance frameworks.  Elevate has deep expertise in IT Compliance and Cybersecurity best practices.  We can guide you through your compliance efforts and ensure you get the best value for your efforts and most importantly we review for Security and not just compliance. As the saying goes Compliance does not always equal Security and Privacy but with us, we look and ensure you cover all your bases.