Definition
A Privacy Governance Framework is a structured approach that organizations use to manage and protect personal information throughout its lifecycle. It establishes policies, procedures, controls, and roles to ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations, ethical data handling, and risk mitigation. This framework guides how data is collected, stored, used, shared, and disposed of, ensuring accountability and transparency. Implementing such a framework is crucial for building customer trust, avoiding legal penalties, and maintaining a strong reputation. For instance, a company might use a privacy governance framework to define clear guidelines for employee access to customer databases, limiting it to only those with a legitimate business need. It differs from a simple privacy policy by providing the operational mechanisms and oversight necessary for effective implementation. This concept is frequently tested on cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CySA+.