sms datacenter logo main version

Blog

Why HITRUST and SOC 2 Both Depend on a Defensible Risk Assessment

Why HITRUST and SOC 2 Both Depend on a Defensible Risk Assessment

Organizations pursuing HITRUST certification or SOC 2 reports often invest heavily in security tooling, policies, and documentation. Yet, audits still stall for a surprisingly common reason: the risk assessment does not hold up. In practice, HITRUST and SOC 2 both depend on a defensible risk assessment. Specifically, it justifies control choices, demonstrates governance maturity, and shows that security decisions are based on real‑world risk. Without this foundation, even well‑built security programs can appear inconsistent or

Read More »
How Risk Assessments Drive Control Selection in NIST 800-53

How Risk Assessments Drive Control Selection in NIST 800-53

In NIST‑aligned security programs, organizations do not select controls based on preference, tradition, or “what we did last year.” Instead, they choose and prioritize controls based on the level of risk. This is why security risk assessments (SRAs) drive control selection in NIST 800-53. Specifically, they determine which safeguards your organization needs, how it implements them, and how it demonstrates security maturity over time. For government agencies, federal contractors, and enterprise security teams, this risk-based

Read More »
HIPAA Security Risk Assessments: What Auditors Actually Expect

HIPAA Security Risk Assessments: What Auditors Actually Expect

Many organizations misunderstand HIPAA Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) and treat them as a one-time compliance task. As a result, they assume they can complete an SRA quickly, document it, and file it away. In reality, auditors and regulators view the SRA as the foundation of your HIPAA Security Rule program. Specifically, it shows whether your organization understands where electronic protected health information (ePHI) lives and what risks could affect it. Additionally, it shows how you

Read More »
How Security Risk Assessments Map Across HIPAA, NIST 800-53, HITRUST, and SOC 2

How Security Risk Assessments Map Across HIPAA, NIST 800-53, HITRUST, and SOC 2

Organizations often treat Security Risk Assessments (SRAs) as a simple compliance checkbox to complete and forget. However, SRAs are the foundation control that nearly every major cybersecurity and privacy framework depends on. Across HIPAA, NIST 800‑53, HITRUST, and SOC 2, the overlap in security risk assessment requirements is clear. Each framework expects organizations to understand risk, document it, and actively manage it over time. For compliance managers, IT/security leaders, and risk officers supporting multiple frameworks,

Read More »
What Is CMMC Compliance and Why Defense Contractors Can’t Ignore It

What Is CMMC Compliance and Why Defense Contractors Can’t Ignore It

Defense contractors face increasing pressure to protect sensitive government data. Meanwhile, cyber threats targeting the defense supply chain continue to rise. Additionally, the DoD has made it clear that cybersecurity is no longer optional. This is why CMMC compliance comes in. If your organization works with the DoD, either directly or as a subcontractor, you need to understand CMMC. This knowledge is critical to winning and retaining contracts. However, many businesses still see compliance as

Read More »
The Importance of Regular Cybersecurity Audits

The Importance of Regular Cybersecurity Audits

Regular cybersecurity audits are a business necessity. Beyond that, audits and security assessments provide a repeatable way to measure if controls work. In addition, they help you find weaknesses before attackers do, plus prove due diligence to customers and regulators.

Read More »
Skip to content