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 for all network operators in China, ensuring security controls match the potential harm from system compromise to national security, social order, public interests, and citizens' rights.** Operationalized under Article 21 of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law, it classifies systems into five levels via standards like **GB/T 22239-2019** (baseline requirements), **GB/T 25070-2019** (technical design), and **GB/T 28448-2019** (evaluation), covering cloud, IoT, big data, and industrial controls with technical, management, and physical safeguards.

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

**MLPS 2.0 legally requires compliance from all "network operators" in mainland China, defined broadly to include any entity operating networks or information systems.** This encompasses domestic enterprises, foreign multinationals with China operations, cloud providers, and critical infrastructure operators across sectors like finance and energy. Virtually no size threshold applies; even small systems must classify and file, with Levels 2+ needing PSB registration within 30 days.

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

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 mandates external audits and third-party evaluations for systems at Level 2 and above, conducted by licensed Chinese firms per GB/T 28448-2019 scoring (typically ≥75/100 pass threshold).** Level 1 relies on self-assessment; Level 3+ requires annual technical/management reviews, PSB verification, and documentation like topology diagrams, with potential 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 systems, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5, plus self-inspections and re-evaluations after major changes.** Initial classification follows system deployment (filing within 30 days for Level 2+), with ongoing PSB oversight including ad-hoc checks.

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

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 triggers administrative fines (e.g., RMB 50,000–223 million in cases), operational suspensions, blacklisting, and potential criminal liability via PSB enforcement.** Over 6,400 investigations since 2017 include dawn raids, license revocations, and network shutdowns for unremedied gaps like poor segmentation or logging.

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

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 controls map to frameworks like ISO 27001 and NIST CSF, aligning domains such as governance, access, and monitoring while requiring China-specific overlays for grading, localization, and PSB filing.** Existing ISMS structures support gap analysis, but MLPS adds prescriptive baselines and enforcement unique to its regime.

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

**The first step in MLPS 2.0 implementation is conducting a comprehensive inventory of grading objects (networks, systems) and preliminary self-classification into Levels 1–5 based on impact to national security and public interests.** Follow with gap analysis against **GB/T 22239-2019** baselines, documenting rationale for PSB filing (30 days for Level 2+).

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

**The primary objective of ITIL is to provide best-practice guidelines for IT Service Management (ITSM) that align IT services with business objectives through the Service Value System (SVS).** ITIL 4 emphasizes value co-creation via 34 practices across general, service, and technical management, incorporating the six Service Value Chain activities (Plan, Improve, Engage, Design & Transition, Obtain/Build, Deliver & Support) and seven guiding principles like **Focus on Value** and **Progress Iteratively with Feedback**.

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

**No organizations are legally required to comply with ITIL, as it is a voluntary framework of best practices, not a mandatory regulation.** Professionally, IT leaders, service managers, and ITSM practitioners in enterprises adopt it for alignment, with 87% global IT organizations using it; certifications via PeopleCert (Foundation to Strategic Leader) are recommended for roles like Service Owner and Process Owner.

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

**ITIL does not require external audits or third-party certification, as it is a non-prescriptive framework.** Organizations may pursue voluntary ISO/IEC 20000 certification, which aligns with ITIL practices, but ITIL itself focuses on internal continual improvement through the SVS, with PeopleCert managing practitioner certifications rather than organizational audits.

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

**ITIL assessments should be performed continually as part of the SVS's Continual Improvement practice, using the seven-step improvement model.** This involves regular gap analyses during implementation (e.g., via the ten-step roadmap's ITIL-Assessment phase) and ongoing reviews of KPIs like incident resolution times and change success rates across the 34 practices.

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

**There are no legal consequences for non-compliance with ITIL, since it is a voluntary best-practices framework.** Potential business impacts include suboptimal service quality, higher costs, increased downtime, and missed ROI (e.g., no access to reported 10:1 to 38:1 gains), but failure stems from internal choices, not penalties.

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

**Yes, ITIL can be mapped to other international frameworks through its flexible 34 practices and SVS alignment.** ITIL 4 supports integrations with Agile, DevOps, Lean, and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), with practices like Change Enablement and Configuration Management (CMDB) facilitating compatibility while customizing to organizational contexts.

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

**The first step to implement ITIL is Project Preparation in the ten-step roadmap, securing executive sponsorship and defining scope.** This aligns with the guiding principle **Start Where You Are**, followed by Business Case development and ITIL-Assessment to evaluate current processes against the SVS and 34 practices.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) vs ITIL

Standards Comparison

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

2019

China's mandatory graded protection cybersecurity framework

ITIL

Voluntary

2019

Global framework for IT service management best practices.

Quick Verdict

MLPS 2.0 mandates graded cybersecurity for China networks, enforced by PSBs with fines. ITIL provides voluntary ITSM best practices globally for service efficiency. Chinese operators comply with MLPS legally; worldwide firms adopt ITIL for optimized operations.

Cybersecurity

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0 (MLPS 2.0)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five-level impact-based system classification
Mandatory registration with Public Security Bureaus
Graded controls for cloud IoT ICS
Strict separation of duties requirements
Ongoing third-party evaluations oversight

IT Service Management

ITIL

ITIL 4 IT Service Management Framework

Cost

€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Service Value System (SVS) with 34 flexible practices
Seven guiding principles for value-focused decisions
Four dimensions of service management
Continual improvement model across all elements
Integration with DevOps, Agile, and Lean

Detailed Analysis

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

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0) is China's mandatory cybersecurity regulation operationalizing Article 21 of the 2017 Cybersecurity Law. It requires network operators to classify systems into five protection levels based on potential harm to national security, social order, and public interests, implementing graded technical and management controls.

Key Components

Core standards: GB/T 22239-2019 (basics), GB/T 25070-2019 (technical), GB/T 28448-2019 (evaluation).
Domains: physical security, network/host protection, data security, monitoring, governance.
Extensions for cloud, IoT, big data, ICS.
Compliance via self-assessment, expert review (Level 2+), PSB filing, periodic evaluations (75% pass threshold).

Why Organizations Use It

Legal obligation avoids fines, suspensions; enhances resilience; rationalizes investments; builds trust with regulators, partners. Strategic for China operations, integrates with ISO 27001/NIST.

Implementation Overview

Phased: inventory/grading, gap analysis, remediation, third-party evaluation, ongoing monitoring. Applies to all China network operators; high complexity for multinationals. Requires local expertise, documentation.

ITIL Details

What It Is

ITIL (formerly Information Technology Infrastructure Library, standalone since 2013) is a best-practices framework for IT Service Management (ITSM). Its primary purpose is aligning IT services with business objectives across the full lifecycle, emphasizing value co-creation. ITIL 4 uses a value-driven methodology through the Service Value System (SVS).

Key Components

**Service Value System (SVS)Guiding principles, governance, service value chain (6 activities), 34 practices, continual improvement.
**34 Practices14 general management, 17 service management (e.g., incident, change), 3 technical management.
**Seven Guiding PrinciplesFocus on value, start where you are, progress iteratively, etc.
**Certification modelPeopleCert-managed, from Foundation to Strategic Leader.

Why Organizations Use It

Cost efficiencies, reduced downtime, 87% global adoption.
Risk mitigation (e.g., cyber resilience), compliance alignment (ISO 20000).
Enhanced customer satisfaction, ROI (up to 38:1).
Integrates DevOps/Agile, boosts careers/stakeholder trust.

Implementation Overview

**Phased ten-step roadmapAssessment, gap analysis, role definition, training, integration.
Tailored for all sizes/industries; voluntary, no audits required. (178 words)