If you’re working toward HITRUST certification, penetration testing is going to come up — and for good reason.
HITRUST requires organizations to demonstrate that they can identify and manage real-world threats, not just theoretical risks. A penetration test is one of the clearest ways to show that your systems can withstand an active attempt to bypass controls, gain access, or expose sensitive data.
But what exactly does that mean in practice? What kind of testing qualifies? And how do you make sure it’s not just another checkbox?
Let’s break it down.
✅ Is a Penetration Test Required for HITRUST?
Yes — HITRUST requires penetration testing.
Specifically, Control 10.m (under the HITRUST CSF framework) expects that you conduct penetration testing regularly to evaluate your system’s resilience against external and internal threats.
The goal isn’t just to check a box — it’s to demonstrate that:
- You know where your risks are
- You’ve validated your defenses
- You can take action based on real-world results
Auditors will expect to see a formal penetration test, not just vulnerability scans or automated tooling.
⚕️ What Kind of Pentest Do You Need for HITRUST?
HITRUST doesn’t define exactly how to run your test — but your auditor will expect:
- External and internal testing (or a justified explanation for one over the other)
- Manual verification of vulnerabilities (not just scanner output)
- A report that shows scope, methodology, findings, and remediation recommendations
- Testing that’s done at least annually and after significant changes
At Asteros, we provide pentests that meet (and exceed) these expectations. That means:
- Testing based on the PTES methodology (Penetration Testing Execution Standard)
- Manual testing for depth, supported by scanning tools for breadth
- Reports that are clear, reproducible, and auditor-friendly
- Risk ratings aligned with the OWASP Risk Rating Methodology
🏥 We’ve Worked with Healthcare Companies — We Get It
HITRUST isn’t just about checking technical boxes — it’s about aligning security with the reality of how healthcare companies operate.
We’ve worked with:
- Healthcare SaaS platforms handling ePHI and patient data
- Medical device and wellness tech companies operating globally
- AI startups integrating LLMs, user-submitted data, and third-party APIs
- Early- and growth-stage companies trying to balance security, compliance, and shipping fast
- Teams navigating HIPAA, SOC 2, HITRUST, and customer security reviews
🔐 What About Web Applications?
If your organization builds or uses web-based apps that handle sensitive data — especially PHI or PII — they should absolutely be included in scope.
We test web applications using the OWASP Application Security Verification Standard (ASVS), which gives a full view of how your app handles:
- Authentication and session management
- Access controls and data isolation
- API interactions and business logic
- Cryptography, token security, and more
That means even if your app doesn’t have critical vulnerabilities, we’ll still surface opportunities for improvement — and give your team insight into how it’s really performing under scrutiny.
🧾 What You’ll Get in a HITRUST-Ready Pentest
When you work with Asteros, you get a full, audit-ready package:
- ✅ External and/or internal testing, tailored to your environment
- ✅ Manual exploitation and verification — no scanner dumps
- ✅ A detailed report with reproducible steps, screenshots, and remediation advice
- ✅ Risk ratings that make sense to both auditors and engineers
- ✅ Free retesting for remediated issues
- ✅ A direct line to the tester — not a black hole
⚡ Bottom Line
If you’re pursuing HITRUST certification, a quality pentest isn’t optional — and it shouldn’t feel like a chore, either.
We make the process easy, useful, and aligned with what your auditor actually needs to see.
Need a HITRUST-ready pentest report? Let’s chat 👇