Category: Privacy and Data Governance
Communicate-P Function
Also known as:
Simply put
The Communicate-P Function is commonly cited as one of the core Functions of the NIST Privacy Framework, a voluntary tool for managing privacy risk. However, the evidence packet provided here does not contain the NIST Privacy Framework or any authoritative source that defines this term, so a reliable definition cannot be constructed from the supplied materials. This entry should not be finalized until it is verified against the primary source.
Formal definition
"Communicate-P" (CM-P) is referenced as a Function within the NIST Privacy Framework, but none of the sources in this evidence packet address the NIST Privacy Framework, privacy program management, or a Function bearing this name. The provided sources instead cover unrelated topics: communication functions in computer science and communication complexity theory (Sources 1 and 2), communicative functions in speech and language/behavioral contexts (Sources 3 and 4), and the phatic function in linguistics (Source 5). Because the exact wording, purpose, and structure of the CM-P Function must be drawn verbatim from the NIST Privacy Framework Version 1.0 (or applicable draft), a technically precise definition cannot be produced without that primary source. Practitioners should consult the NIST Privacy Framework directly; this framework is a voluntary, non-binding tool and does not carry the force of law. This entry is educational and not a substitute for professional or legal advice.
Why it matters
The evidence digest supplied for this entry contains no source that addresses the NIST Privacy Framework, privacy risk management, or a Function named "Communicate-P." The five provided sources concern unrelated senses of the word "communication": communication functions in computer science, communication complexity theory, communicative functions in speech and language contexts, and the phatic function in linguistics. Because none of these materials speak to a privacy program framework component, no reliable account of why the CM-P Function matters can be constructed from the evidence at hand.
Who it's relevant to
Editorial and verification staff
This entry is flagged as incomplete and must not be published in its current state. The evidence digest supplied does not contain the primary source needed to define the Communicate-P Function, and the fields cannot be reliably generated from absent material. The NIST Privacy Framework Version 1.0 (or the applicable draft) must be added to the evidence packet, and the definition, why_it_matters, and how_it_works fields rebuilt from that verified source before this entry proceeds.
Privacy program managers and compliance officers
Practitioners seeking guidance on the Communicate-P Function should consult the NIST Privacy Framework directly rather than relying on this provisional entry, which cannot be substantiated from the materials provided. Note that the NIST Privacy Framework is generally described as a voluntary, non-binding tool and does not carry the force of law. This glossary entry is educational and is not a substitute for professional or legal advice.
Inside CM-P
Communicate-P (CM-P) as a Core Function
Communicate-P is one of the five Functions in the Core of the NIST Privacy Framework Version 1.0. Its stated purpose is to develop and implement appropriate activities so that organizations and individuals have a reliable understanding of, and can engage in a dialogue about, how data is processed and associated privacy risks. Exact Function wording and Category structure should be confirmed against the published NIST Privacy Framework document.
Relationship to the Other Functions
Communicate-P sits alongside the other Core Functions (commonly Identify-P, Govern-P, Control-P, and Protect-P). It is not a standalone program; it is one component of the Framework Core that, together with the other Functions, is intended to support privacy risk management. Practitioners should verify the precise names and count of Functions against the primary source.
Categories and Subcategories
As with other Functions in the NIST Privacy Framework, Communicate-P is subdivided into Categories and Subcategories that describe outcomes an organization may pursue. This entry does not reproduce specific Subcategory identifiers or text; those should be taken directly from the NIST Privacy Framework to ensure accuracy.
Voluntary and Non-Binding Nature
The NIST Privacy Framework, including Communicate-P, is a voluntary, principles-based tool published by a U.S. federal agency (NIST). It does not carry the force of law and is not a regulation. Its use is intended to help organizations manage privacy risk, not to certify compliance with any statute.
Focus on Transparency and Dialogue
Communicate-P is oriented toward transparency about data processing and enabling informed dialogue with individuals and internal stakeholders. This is generally regarded as distinct from data protection controls (which fall under other Functions) and from external legal disclosure obligations, which vary by jurisdiction.
Common questions
Answers to the questions practitioners most commonly ask about CM-P.
Is the Communicate-P Function a made-up term, or is it defined by an authoritative source?
It is a defined term. Communicate-P (CM-P) is one of the five core Functions of the NIST Privacy Framework Version 1.0, alongside Identify-P, Govern-P, Control-P, and Protect-P. It is not an informal or invented label. Practitioners should consult the NIST Privacy Framework as the primary source for the Function's Categories, Subcategories, and intended purpose.
Does implementing the Communicate-P Function mean an organization has satisfied its privacy program requirements?
No. Communicate-P is one Function within the NIST Privacy Framework Core and addresses developing and carrying out activities so that organizations and individuals have a reliable understanding of, and can engage in dialogue about, how data is processed and associated privacy risks. It does not, on its own, constitute a complete privacy program and works alongside the other Functions. The NIST Privacy Framework is itself a voluntary, non-prescriptive tool and does not carry the force of law; legal obligations depend on applicable jurisdiction-specific requirements.
How does the Communicate-P Function relate to the other Functions in the NIST Privacy Framework?
Communicate-P is intended to work in coordination with Identify-P, Govern-P, Control-P, and Protect-P. It focuses on transparency and dialogue about data processing and privacy risk, and it generally draws on outputs from the other Functions. Organizations should refer to the NIST Privacy Framework for how the Functions are structured together, and should tailor implementation to their own context rather than treating any single Function as standalone.
Who within an organization typically owns activities associated with Communicate-P?
Responsibility varies by organizational structure and is not dictated by the framework itself, which is voluntary and non-prescriptive. In practice, privacy officers, communications teams, legal counsel, and program managers may share activities related to transparency and stakeholder dialogue. Organizations should define ownership through their own governance arrangements; where communications touch legal disclosure obligations, qualified legal counsel should be involved.
How can an organization assess whether its Communicate-P activities are effective?
The framework is a tool for organizing and describing privacy activities rather than a scoring or certification mechanism, so it does not define pass/fail effectiveness. Organizations generally evaluate whether stakeholders have a reliable understanding of data processing and can engage in dialogue about privacy risk. Any assessment approach should be documented and tailored to context; outcomes depend on implementation, and no communication practice guarantees a particular result.
Should Communicate-P activities be treated as a substitute for legally required privacy disclosures?
No. Communicate-P concerns transparency and dialogue as organized under a voluntary framework, whereas mandatory privacy notices and disclosures arise from jurisdiction-specific laws and regulations. The two can overlap in practice but are distinct in origin and obligation. Organizations should confirm applicable legal disclosure requirements with qualified legal counsel; this entry is educational and not a substitute for professional advice.
Common misconceptions
Communicate-P is a generic 'communication' or training term without a defined source.
Communicate-P (CM-P) is a defined Core Function of the NIST Privacy Framework, not a loosely used term. Its meaning and structure are set out in the NIST Privacy Framework publication, which should be consulted as the primary source.
Implementing Communicate-P satisfies an organization's privacy or compliance obligations.
Communicate-P is only one Function within the voluntary NIST Privacy Framework Core. It does not, on its own, constitute a complete privacy program, and adopting it does not demonstrate compliance with binding privacy laws such as those that vary by jurisdiction. Legal obligations require separate analysis with qualified counsel.
Communicate-P is a legal or regulatory requirement organizations must adopt.
The NIST Privacy Framework is voluntary and non-binding. Communicate-P describes desired privacy outcomes an organization may choose to pursue; it does not impose legally enforceable obligations. Any mandatory disclosure or transparency duties come from applicable laws, not from the Framework itself.
Best practices
Consult the published NIST Privacy Framework Version 1.0 directly to confirm the exact wording, Categories, and Subcategories of the Communicate-P Function before building program materials, rather than relying on paraphrases.
Position Communicate-P as one part of a broader privacy risk management effort, coordinating it with the other Core Functions rather than treating it as a complete solution.
Map Communicate-P activities to your organization's actual data processing so transparency and dialogue outcomes reflect real practices, and revisit them when processing changes.
Distinguish voluntary Framework outcomes from binding legal disclosure or notice obligations, and involve qualified legal counsel to address jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Use qualified language in training and documentation, describing Communicate-P as intended to support informed dialogue and transparency rather than guaranteeing any compliance or legal outcome.
Confirm any figures, citations, or version references against the primary NIST source, since Framework editions and draft revisions may differ.