How many tiers are present in the NIST Privacy Framework?

The NIST Privacy Framework is designed to help organizations manage privacy risks and enhance their overall data privacy practices. This framework consists of three main components, which are organized into five "tiers" that reflect the maturity level of an organization's privacy program. These tiers help organizations to assess their current privacy practices and determine how they can progressively improve them.

The tiers represent a progression from more informal and reactive privacy measures to more advanced and proactive privacy management practices. Each tier outlines specific outcomes that organizations can aim for, based on their capabilities, resources, and privacy requirements.

Understanding these tiers allows organizations to gauge their privacy maturity and take actionable steps towards implementing robust privacy controls that align with their operational objectives. The focus on multiple tiers is essential for organizations seeking to comprehensively understand and mitigate privacy risks while complying with legal and regulatory requirements.