---
title: Adding a Control
description: "How to add a new control to the Controls register. Requires the Controls module. **Applies to:** Users who can create controls · **Module:** Controls ## Opening a New Control Select **Controls** in the left-hand menu, then the plus icon at…"
url: "https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/adding-a-control/"
updated: "2026-10-30"
category: Control Basics
---

# Adding a Control

How to add a new control to the Controls register. Requires the Controls module.

**Applies to:** Users who can create controls · **Module:** Controls

## Opening a New Control

Select **Controls** in the left-hand menu, then the plus icon at the top right.

![Controls menu and plus icon](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-01-menu.png)

## Filling in the Control

The top section holds the control's status and ownership.

![Top section of a new control](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-02-top.png)

- **Reference** is filled in automatically when you save.
- **Active** is ticked by default. Untick it for a control that is not yet operating. See [Activating/Deactivating a Control](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/activating-deactivating-a-control/).
- Tick **Key Control** for controls you rely on most.
- **Owners** are the people responsible for operating the control. You are added by default.
- **Cost**, **Review Date** and **Expiry Date** are optional.

Select the **Divisions** the control belongs to. Open the list, expand the tree and tick the division. Users with divisional roles only see controls in their own divisions.

![Choosing a division](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-03-divisions.png)

In the lower section, enter a short **Summary** (required) and a fuller description in **Details**. Choose the **Category** (for example Manual or Automated) and **Type** (for example Preventive or Detective), and tick the **Process** it supports.

![Summary, category, type and details](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-04-details.png)

**Note:** The fields and drop-down values on your site may differ. Administrators set the lists under **Controls** > **Type** and **Category** in the left-hand menu.

## Saving the Control

Select **Save** at the top right.

![Save button](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-05-save.png)

The control opens on its **Overview** tab with its new reference number. The other tabs let you add attachments, link policies, set up a control assessment, and see the risks and incidents it is connected to.

![The saved control](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-06-saved.png)

The control also appears on the Controls dashboard.

![Controls dashboard](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/adding-a-control-07-dashboard.png)

## Next Steps

- Link the control to the risks it reduces: [Attaching a Control to a Risk](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/attaching-a-control-to-a-risk/).
- Link the policies it enforces: [Attaching a Policy to a Control](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/attaching-a-policy-to-a-control/).
- Check it is working: [Control Assessments](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/control-assessments/).

## Related articles

- [Activating/Deactivating a Control](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/activating-deactivating-a-control/)
- [Control Weightings](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/control-weightings/)
- [Generating a Control Report](https://support.symbiant.co.uk/kb/generating-a-control-report/)