Framework: HITRUST

At the i1 level, incident response maturity progresses from planning to measurable execution. Candidates must understand that HITRUST expects organizations to not only maintain an incident response plan but to demonstrate evidence of real or simulated use. Key elements include detection, analysis, containment, eradication, and recovery. Assessors look for documentation of recent exercises, incident reports, and post-incident reviews showing process improvements. The intent is to ensure the organization can respond effectively, preserve evidence, and learn from each event.

In practice, mature i1 programs conduct tabletop or technical exercises annually, verify communication procedures, and track response metrics such as mean time to detect (MTTD) and mean time to respond (MTTR). For the exam, candidates should be able to explain how these activities prove operational readiness and compliance with assurance objectives. HITRUST views incident response as an evolving capability—organizations must demonstrate both proactive preparation and reactive competence. This operational proof supports the credibility of the i1 certification and builds trust with external stakeholders.
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