# GDPR Article 33 — Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_gdpr_article33_e709e440a1-gdpr-article-33-notification-of-a-personal-data-breach-to-the-supervisory-authority
- 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 33 · Priority: critical · Component: Chapter IV: Controller and Processor

### What this control covers

Controllers must notify the supervisory authority of a personal data breach within 72 hours, unless unlikely to risk rights and freedoms, detailing breach nature, data subjects, records, consequences, and mitigation measures. Processors must inform controllers promptly. Breaches must be documented. This control addresses Breach Notification.

### 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.

#### Google Workspace

Use **Data Export** (Takeout-style) and **Vault search** to scope DSARs. Apply **Drive labels + DLP** so personal data classes are discoverable.

#### GitHub

Subscribe to **secret-scanning** alerts and **Dependabot** security advisories; require triage SLAs by severity. For exposed secrets, rotate at the cloud provider FIRST then revoke at GitHub — order matters.

#### 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

-   `policy_document` — A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.

Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Notification of a personal data breach to the supervisory authority.

### Quick checklist

-   Notification — Controller / Controllers
-   Data — Controller / Controllers
-   Processor — Controller / Controllers
-   Records — Controller / Controllers
-   Supervisory — Controller / Controllers

### Related articles on this site

-   [GDPR Article 33: Notification of a Personal Data Breach to the Supervisory Authority](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000236378-gdpr-article-33-notification-of-a-personal-data-breach-to-the-supervisory-authority)
-   [GDPR Article 19: Notification Obligation Regarding Rectification or Erasure of Personal Data or Restriction of Processing](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000236364-gdpr-article-19-notification-obligation-regarding-rectification-or-erasure-of-personal-data-or-restr)
-   [GDPR Article 34: Communication of a Personal Data Breach to the Data Subject](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000236379-gdpr-article-34-communication-of-a-personal-data-breach-to-the-data-subject)
-   [Ensure IAM password policy expires passwords within 90 days or less](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000080833-ensure-iam-password-policy-expires-passwords-within-90-days-or-less)

## 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.