# GDPR Article 25 — Data protection by design and by default

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_gdpr_article25_39d9cddfa2-gdpr-article-25-data-protection-by-design-and-by-default
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [GDPR](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/62000112722) › [Chapter IV: Controller and Processor](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/gdpr-chapter-4-controller-and-processor)
- Last updated: 2026-07-11
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

GDPR · Control Article 25 · Priority: critical · Component: Chapter IV: Controller and Processor

### What this control covers

The controller must embed data protection by design and default, using technical and organizational measures like pseudonymisation to ensure only necessary personal data is processed, minimizing collection, processing, storage, and access while safeguarding data subjects' rights. This control addresses Privacy by Design.

### Why it matters

Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.

### How to implement

#### AWS

Codify the policy intent as **SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards** so the cloud enforces what the document says.

#### Azure

Codify in **Azure Policy initiatives** (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.

#### GCP

Use **VPC Service Controls** to draw a perimeter around sensitive APIs and a hierarchical **Firewall policy** at the org/folder level so projects inherit a deny-by-default posture. Front HTTP workloads with the global **Cloud Load Balancer + Cloud Armor**.

#### On-premises

Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.

### Evidence to collect

-   `infra_scan` — See the iCompaas Evidence library for the canonical source for this evidence type.
-   `policy_document` — A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.

Infrastructure posture tooling (AWS Config, Azure Policy, Nessus) verifies platform hardening. Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Data protection by design and by default.

### Quick checklist

-   Data — Controller / Rights
-   Processor — Controller / Rights
-   Security — Controller / Rights

### Related articles on this site

-   [Microsoft Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000234105-microsoft-cloud-security-posture-management-cspm-)
-   [GDPR Article 25: Data Protection by Design and by Default](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000236370-gdpr-article-25-data-protection-by-design-and-by-default)
-   [Ensure the default security group of every VPC restricts all traffic](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000084075-ensure-the-default-security-group-of-every-vpc-restricts-all-traffic)
-   [Ensure S3 buckets have default encryption (SSE) enabled or use a bucket policy to enforce it](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000086777-ensure-s3-buckets-have-default-encryption-sse-enabled-or-use-a-bucket-policy-to-enforce-it)

## Related compliance guidance

- [GDPR compliance: a practical implementation guide for cloud-native SaaS teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/gdpr): How the Regulation fits together as a programme — lawful bases, Article 28/30/32/33 obligations, transfers and the DPIA process.
- [India's DPDP Act 2023: a practical compliance guide for cloud teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/india-dpdp-act-2023): If you also serve users in India, the DPDP Act borrows GDPR concepts but differs on consent, breach reporting and transfers.