What is the primary objective of **GDPR**?

**The primary objective of GDPR is to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons, particularly their right to the protection of personal data, while facilitating the free flow of personal data within the EU's Digital Single Market.** Adopted on 14 April 2016 and directly applicable from 25 May 2018, it replaces the fragmented 1995 Data Protection Directive (95/46/EC) by harmonizing rules through core principles in Article 5: lawfulness, fairness and transparency; purpose limitation; data minimisation; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; and accountability.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **GDPR**?

**GDPR applies to any controller or processor established in the EU, or any non-EU entity offering goods/services to or monitoring the behaviour of EU data subjects, per Article 3's extraterritorial scope.** This includes data controllers determining processing purposes and processors handling data on their behalf; non-EU entities must appoint an EU representative under Article 27 unless processing is occasional and low-risk. Public authorities and large-scale processors of special categories (e.g., health data) must designate a Data Protection Officer (DPO) per Article 37.

Does **GDPR** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**GDPR does not mandate external audits or third-party certification for compliance.** Article 42 encourages voluntary certification mechanisms, seals, or marks by supervisory authorities to demonstrate compliance, but these are optional. Organizations must self-demonstrate adherence via accountability measures like Records of Processing Activities (Article 30) and Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs, Article 35) for high-risk processing.

How often should an assessment for **GDPR** be performed?

**GDPR requires ongoing, risk-based assessments rather than fixed intervals, with Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) conducted prior to high-risk processing and reviewed if risks change (Article 35).** Security of processing (Article 32) demands continuous evaluation of state-of-the-art measures, while breach notifications must occur within 72 hours of awareness (Articles 33-34). Records of Processing Activities (Article 30) must be maintained and updated regularly.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **GDPR**?

**Non-compliance with GDPR incurs administrative fines up to €20 million or 4% of total worldwide annual turnover (whichever is higher) for severe breaches like unlawful processing (Article 83(5)).** Tiered penalties apply: up to €10 million or 2% for lesser violations (e.g., record-keeping failures). Supervisory authorities issue corrective orders, bans, or suspensions; the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) oversees cross-border enforcement via the one-stop-shop (Article 56).

Can **GDPR** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**GDPR cannot be formally mapped to other international frameworks as it is a standalone EU Regulation with direct applicability.** Its principles (e.g., accountability, data minimisation) have influenced global laws like Brazil's LGPD via the Brussels Effect, enabling adequacy decisions (Article 45) for equivalent third-country regimes (e.g., Japan). However, no official mapping exists; compliance requires independent alignment.

What is the first step to begin implementing **GDPR**?

**The first step to implement GDPR is to conduct a data mapping exercise to identify all personal data processing activities, legal bases, and associated risks.** This informs Records of Processing Activities (Article 30), determines DPO needs (Article 37), and triggers DPIAs for high-risk operations (Article 35), establishing the accountability principle (Article 5(2)) as the foundation for privacy-by-design (Article 25).

What is the primary objective of **ITIL**?

**The primary objective of ITIL is to align IT services with business needs through best-practice guidelines that create measurable value via the Service Value System (SVS).** ITIL 4 emphasizes value co-creation across its 34 practices—14 general management, 17 service management, and 3 technical management—using the SVS components: 7 guiding principles (e.g., **Focus on Value**, **Progress Iteratively with Feedback**), governance, the 6-activity Service Value Chain (Plan, Improve, Engage, Design & Transition, Obtain/Build, Deliver & Support), and continual improvement.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **ITIL**?

**No organizations are legally required to comply with ITIL, as it is a voluntary set of best-practice guidelines for IT Service Management (ITSM), not a mandatory regulation.** Professionally, IT leaders in 87% of global IT organizations adopt it for alignment with business objectives; certifications via PeopleCert (Foundation to Managing Professional/Strategic Leader) are recommended for roles like Service Owner, Process Owner, and Practice Manager.

Does **ITIL** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**ITIL does not require external audits or third-party certification, as it is a framework of customizable practices rather than a certifiable standard.** Organizations may pursue aligned certifications like ISO/IEC 20000, using ITIL artefacts (e.g., SLAs, CMDB records) for evidence; PeopleCert manages ITIL-specific credentials for individuals.

How often should an assessment for **ITIL** be performed?

**ITIL assessments should be performed continually as part of the SVS's continual improvement model, with formal gap analyses conducted during initial implementation and iteratively thereafter.** The 7-step continual improvement process mandates regular reviews of KPIs like incident resolution times and change success rates, integrated into the Service Value Chain's Improve activity.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **ITIL**?

**There are no legal consequences for non-compliance with ITIL, since it imposes no regulatory mandates or penalties.** Organizations risk operational inefficiencies, such as higher downtime, misaligned services, and suboptimal ROI (e.g., missing 38:1 gains seen in adopters like DISA); implementation challenges like cultural resistance may arise without tailored adoption.

Can **ITIL** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, ITIL practices can be mapped to other international frameworks to support integrated governance and compliance.** ITIL 4's 34 practices align with models like Agile, DevOps, Lean, and standards such as ISO/IEC 20000, enabling hybrid approaches (e.g., Change Enablement with DevOps pipelines, CMDB for asset visibility).

What is the first step to begin implementing **ITIL**?

**The first step to implement ITIL is Project Preparation to secure executive sponsorship and define scope via the 10-step roadmap.** This involves developing a business case, followed by role definition and ITIL assessment to gap-analyze current processes against the SVS, ensuring alignment with the **Start Where You Are** guiding principle.

GDPR vs ITIL | GRADUM

Standards Comparison

GDPR

Mandatory

2016

EU regulation protecting personal data of EU residents

ITIL

Voluntary

2019

Global framework for IT service management best practices.

Quick Verdict

GDPR mandates data privacy protection for EU residents worldwide with hefty fines, while ITIL offers voluntary best practices for IT service management. Companies adopt GDPR for legal compliance; ITIL for operational efficiency and service alignment.

Data Privacy

GDPR

Regulation (EU) 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

18-24 months

Key Features

Extraterritorial scope targeting non-EU entities processing EU data
Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover or €20M
One-stop-shop mechanism for cross-border enforcement
Accountability principle requiring demonstrable compliance
72-hour mandatory data breach notifications

IT Service Management

ITIL

ITIL 4 Service Management Framework

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Service Value System with 34 flexible practices
Seven guiding principles for value-driven decisions
Four dimensions balancing people, tech, partners, processes
Continual improvement across all activities
Integration with DevOps, Agile, and cloud environments

Detailed Analysis

A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

GDPR Details

What It Is

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), or Regulation (EU) 2016/679, is a directly applicable EU regulation enforced since May 25, 2018. It protects personal data of EU residents with extraterritorial scope, harmonizing rules across member states. Adopts a risk-based, accountability-focused approach emphasizing privacy by design.

Key Components

Core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity, accountability.
Data subject rights: access, rectification, erasure (right to be forgotten), portability, objection.
Obligations: DPIAs for high-risk processing, DPO appointments, records of activities, 72-hour breach notifications.
Enforcement via one-stop-shop, EDPB oversight, fines up to 4% global turnover.

Why Organizations Use It

Legally mandatory for EU data processors worldwide; avoids massive fines, ensures compliance, builds customer trust, supports digital single market, manages cross-border risks effectively.

Implementation Overview

Gap analysis, process redesign, training, tech upgrades like encryption. Applies to all sizes processing EU data globally; no formal certification but DPA audits and continuous monitoring required. (178 words)

ITIL Details

What It Is

ITIL 4, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library 4, is a flexible framework for IT Service Management (ITSM). Its primary purpose is to align IT services with business needs, managing the full service lifecycle through value co-creation. The approach is practice-based and value-driven, shifting from rigid processes to agile integration with DevOps and Lean.

Key Components

**Service Value System (SVS)Guiding principles, governance, service value chain, 34 practices (14 general, 17 service, 3 technical), and continual improvement.
**Four dimensionsOrganizations & people, information & technology, partners & suppliers, value streams & processes.
Seven guiding principles, e.g., focus on value, progress iteratively.
Certification via PeopleCert: Foundation to Strategic Leader.

Why Organizations Use It

Improves efficiency, reduces downtime, enhances customer satisfaction (87% adoption).
Supports compliance (ISO 20000), risk mitigation ($3M+ breach costs).
Boosts ROI (up to 38:1), career development, competitive edge in digital transformation.

Implementation Overview

Phased 10-step roadmap: assessment, gap analysis, training, pilots.
Tailored for any size/industry; integrates tools like CMDB, Jira.
Voluntary, with certifications for maturity proof. (178 words)

Key Differences

Aspect	GDPR	ITIL
Scope	Personal data protection, privacy rights	IT service management, best practices
Industry	All sectors, EU residents globally	All IT organizations worldwide
Nature	Mandatory EU regulation, fines enforced	Voluntary ITSM framework, no legal force
Testing	DPIAs for high-risk processing	Continual improvement, no mandatory audits
Penalties	Up to 4% global turnover fines	No penalties, certification optional

Scope

GDPR

Personal data protection, privacy rights

ITIL

IT service management, best practices

Industry

GDPR

All sectors, EU residents globally

ITIL

All IT organizations worldwide

Nature

GDPR

Mandatory EU regulation, fines enforced

ITIL

Voluntary ITSM framework, no legal force

Testing

GDPR

DPIAs for high-risk processing

ITIL

Continual improvement, no mandatory audits

Penalties

GDPR

Up to 4% global turnover fines

ITIL

No penalties, certification optional

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about GDPR and ITIL

GDPR FAQ

ITIL FAQ

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1 for Cloud & Kubernetes: A Practical Implementation Playbook (AWS/Azure/GCP + IaC)

Translate CIS Controls v8.1 to cloud-native: Kubernetes patterns for IAM, logging, vuln mgmt, hardening on AWS, Azure, GCP + IaC. Practical playbook for teams.

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide to ISO 27701: Building a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) on Your ISO 27001 Foundation

Implement ISO 27701 on your ISO 27001 foundation with this actionable guide. Tackle PII controls, audit evidence, GDPR integration. Templates, checklists for 20

CIS Controls v8.1, Operationalized: Top 10 Reasons Compliance Monitoring Software Accelerates Real-World Implementation

Operationalize CIS Controls v8.1 with compliance monitoring software. Turn checklists into dashboards, tickets, and audit-proof workflows. Top 10 reasons it acc

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform

Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.

100+ Standards & Regulations

AI-Powered Insights

Collaborative Assessments

Actionable Recommendations

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST CSF vs CSA

Discover NIST CSF vs CSA: Flexible NIST framework (6 functions, Govern focus) excels in cyber risk mgmt; CSA stresses hazard ID/control. Pick the right fit—optimize now!

ITIL vs PIPL

ITIL vs PIPL: Compare ITIL 4's ITSM best practices with China's strict PIPL data rules. Align services, cut risks, boost compliance. Master the differences now!

ISO 20000 vs NERC CIP

ISO 20000 vs NERC CIP: Compare IT service management standards with grid cybersecurity mandates. Discover key differences, compliance benefits, and strategies for resilient operations today.

GDPR

ITIL

Quick Verdict

GDPR

Key Features

ITIL

Key Features

Detailed Analysis

GDPR Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

ITIL Details

What It Is

Key Components

Why Organizations Use It

Implementation Overview

Key Differences

Scope

Industry

Nature

Testing

Penalties

Frequently Asked Questions

GDPR FAQ

What is the primary objective of GDPR?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with GDPR?

Does GDPR require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for GDPR be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with GDPR?

Can GDPR be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing GDPR?

ITIL FAQ

What is the primary objective of ITIL?

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with ITIL?

Does ITIL require an external audit or third-party certification?

How often should an assessment for ITIL be performed?

What are the consequences of non-compliance with ITIL?

Can ITIL be mapped to other international frameworks?

What is the first step to begin implementing ITIL?

You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

CIS Controls v8.1 for Cloud & Kubernetes: A Practical Implementation Playbook (AWS/Azure/GCP + IaC)

Step-by-Step Implementation Guide to ISO 27701: Building a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) on Your ISO 27001 Foundation

CIS Controls v8.1, Operationalized: Top 10 Reasons Compliance Monitoring Software Accelerates Real-World Implementation

Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM

Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages

NIST CSF vs CSA

ITIL vs PIPL

ISO 20000 vs NERC CIP