What is the primary objective of **HITRUST CSF**?

**The primary objective of HITRUST CSF is to provide a certifiable, risk-tailored control framework that harmonizes requirements from over 60 authoritative sources into a single assess-once-report-many assurance program.** It consolidates controls across 19 assessment domains and a hierarchical taxonomy of 14 categories, 49 objectives, and ~156 specifications, enabling standardized third-party validation via MyCSF and Authorized External Assessors.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **HITRUST CSF**?

**No organization is legally required to comply with HITRUST CSF, as it is a voluntary, industry-agnostic framework; however, it is professionally required by many healthcare payers, providers, and business associates handling PHI via contractual mandates.** It targets covered entities, vendors, cloud providers, and regulated sectors like finance where customers demand certified assurance to reduce duplicative audits and TPRM friction.

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

**Yes, HITRUST CSF requires an external validated assessment by Authorized External Assessors for certification, followed by HITRUST centralized quality assurance review.** Self-assessments via MyCSF support readiness, but e1, i1 (1-year validity), and r2 (2-year with interim) certifications demand evidence-based testing across policy, process, implemented, measured, and managed maturity levels.

How often should an assessment for **HITRUST CSF** be performed?

**HITRUST CSF validated assessments must be performed based on certification type: annually for e1 and i1, and every two years for r2 with a mandatory interim assessment at the one-year mark.** MyCSF enables continuous monitoring and readiness updates to sustain maturity amid framework versions and threat-adaptive changes.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **HITRUST CSF**?

**Non-compliance with HITRUST CSF results in no direct legal penalties since it is voluntary, but it leads to lost contracts, exclusion from healthcare ecosystems, higher cyber insurance premiums, and increased TPRM scrutiny from relying parties.** Organizations forfeit the 99.4% breach-free correlation and assess-once efficiencies, amplifying regulatory exposure under mapped regimes like HIPAA.

Can **HITRUST CSF** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, HITRUST CSF includes built-in mappings to over 60 frameworks including HIPAA, NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001/27002, PCI DSS, GDPR, SOC 2, and FedRAMP, enabling assess-once-report-many via MyCSF Insights Reports.** Cross-references roll up scores to external scorecards, reducing audit duplication.

What is the first step to begin implementing **HITRUST CSF**?

**The first step to implement HITRUST CSF is to access MyCSF for scoping via structured organizational, system, and regulatory risk factor questionnaires.** This generates a tailored control set, identifies inheritance opportunities (e.g., 60-85% from CSPs), and produces a readiness assessment baseline.

What is the primary objective of **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The primary objective of MLPS 2.0 is to establish a graded cybersecurity protection system ensuring security controls match the potential harm from system compromise to national security, social order, and public interests.** It classifies systems into five levels (1-5) based on impact severity, mandating commensurate technical, management, physical, and personnel controls per GB/T 22239-2020, with common baselines for all and extensions for cloud, IoT, and big data.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**All network operators in mainland China must comply with MLPS 2.0 under Article 21 of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law.** This includes domestic enterprises, foreign-invested entities, cloud providers, and operators of IT/OT systems, mobile platforms, IoT, and industrial controls handling data or services in China, enforced by Ministry of Public Security and local PSBs.

Does **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 requires external security reviews by licensed Chinese firms for Level 2+ systems, with PSB approval.** Reviews score compliance (minimum 75/100) across technical/management domains per GB/T 28448-2019; Level 3+ needs annual evaluations, including documentation, testing, and on-site inspections.

How often should an assessment for **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be performed?

**Assessments under MLPS 2.0 must occur biennially for Level 2, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5.** Re-evaluations are also required post-major changes (e.g., cloud migration); self-inspections apply to all levels, with PSB oversight for higher ones.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 risks fines up to 100,000 RMB, operational suspensions, system shutdowns, and intensified PSB inspections.** Enforcement links to business license renewals; severe cases (e.g., post-breach failures) yield higher penalties, as in RMB 223 million bank fine for inadequate controls.

Can **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 control domains (governance, physical, network, data, operations) map to ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST CSF categories.** Organizations use Statements of Applicability and risk plans for gap analysis, though MLPS adds prescriptive grading, PSB oversight, and data localization absent in voluntary frameworks.

What is the first step to begin implementing **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The first step is conducting a provisional self-assessment to classify systems into Levels 1-5 based on impact to national security, social order, and public interests.** Inventory assets, evaluate harm severity per GB/T 22240-2020, document rationale, then file with local PSB within 30 days for Level 2+.

HITRUST CSF vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Standards Comparison

HITRUST CSF

Voluntary

2022

Certifiable framework harmonizing 60+ security standards

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

N/A

China's regulation for graded cybersecurity protection of networks

Quick Verdict

HITRUST CSF offers voluntary, certifiable assurance harmonizing 60+ standards for global healthcare and beyond, while MLPS 2.0 mandates graded protection for all China networks with PSB enforcement. Companies adopt HITRUST for market trust; MLPS to avoid fines and suspensions.

Information Security

HITRUST CSF

HITRUST Common Security Framework

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Harmonizes 60+ standards into certifiable framework
Risk-based tailoring via structured factors
Five-level maturity model (Policy-Managed)
MyCSF platform enables inheritance and scoping
e1/i1/r2 tiered certification pathways

Standard

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five impact-based protection levels (1-5)
Mandatory PSB filing and approval for Level 2+
Third-party audits scoring 75/100 minimum
Extended controls for cloud, IoT, ICS
Governance, personnel, supply chain requirements

Detailed Analysis

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

HITRUST CSF Details

What It Is

HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF) is a certifiable, risk-based control framework harmonizing over 60 standards like HIPAA, NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR. It provides threat-adaptive, prescriptive requirements for security and privacy in regulated sectors.

Key Components

19 assessment domains and hierarchical taxonomy (14 categories, 49 objectives, ~156 specifications).
Five-level maturity model: Policy, Procedure, Implemented, Measured, Managed.
Tiered assessments: e1 (44 controls), i1 (182 requirements), r2 (tailored).
MyCSF platform for scoping, inheritance, and certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Demonstrates multi-framework compliance via 'assess once, report many'.
Builds stakeholder trust with centralized validation.
Reduces third-party risk, audit fatigue, insurance costs.
Enables market differentiation in healthcare, finance.

Implementation Overview

Multi-phase: scoping, readiness, remediation, validated assessment by external assessors, continuous monitoring. Suited for regulated industries; requires policies, evidence, ~12-18 months for certification.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) is China's mandatory cybersecurity regulation under the 2016 Cybersecurity Law, requiring network operators to classify systems into five protection levels based on compromise impact to national security and public interests. It uses an impact-based, graded approach with technical, governance, and physical controls.

Key Components

Core domains: physical security, network protection, data security, access control, monitoring, governance.
Standards like GB/T 22239-2020, GB/T 25070-2019 define baselines and extensions for cloud, IoT, ICS.
Compliance via self-classification, third-party audits (75/100 score), PSB approval for Level 2+.

Why Organizations Use It

Legal mandate enforced by Public Security Bureaus with fines, inspections.
Enhances resilience, supports market access in China.
Builds trust with regulators, reduces breach risks.

Implementation Overview

Phased: scoping, classification, gap analysis, remediation, audits, ongoing re-evaluations.
Applies to all China-based network operators; higher costs for Level 3+.
Mandatory external reviews, periodic reassessments (annual for Level 3).

Key Differences

Aspect	HITRUST CSF	MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
Scope	19 domains, 60+ harmonized frameworks, maturity-scored controls	5 protection levels, technical/management/physical controls for networks
Industry	Healthcare primary, industry-agnostic, global adoption	All network operators in China, critical infrastructure focus
Nature	Voluntary certifiable framework with centralized assurance	Mandatory legal regime enforced by public security bureaus
Testing	Authorized assessors, MyCSF platform, annual/biennial validated assessments	Licensed third-party audits, PSB approval, annual re-evaluations Level 3+
Penalties	Loss of certification, no legal penalties	Fines, operational suspension, license revocation