What is the first phase of privacy program development?

The first phase of privacy program development is "Discover." This phase revolves around understanding the current landscape of the organization’s data practices. It involves identifying what personal information is collected, processed, stored, and shared, as well as assessing the legal requirements that apply to this data. This initial step is crucial because it lays the groundwork for the development of a privacy program.

In the "Discover" phase, organizations conduct audits and assessments to map out data flows, categorize data types, and pinpoint areas where compliance may be lacking. This step ensures that privacy professionals have a comprehensive understanding of their data environment, which is essential for creating effective privacy policies, implementing necessary controls, and ultimately building a robust privacy program.

Knowing what data you have and how it is used sets the stage for subsequent phases, such as building the right framework, evolving the program with changes in regulations and business practices, and communicating the importance of privacy to stakeholders.