# Activating frameworks and linking controls

> A framework activates the moment you link one control to one of its requirements. How to explore requirements, link controls, and read the progress dashboard.

Source: https://tidalcontrol.com/docs/frameworks/activation-and-linking

A framework activates itself the moment you link one control to one of its requirements, so there is no separate activation step to find. This article covers that first link, reading the progress percentages that follow, and linking or unlinking controls afterwards.

## Activating frameworks

> **info:**

Your licence on the Tidal platform is linked to one or more frameworks. These frameworks have already been activated by Tidal, including the mapping between framework requirements and applicable controls. 

Contact support if frameworks you have a licence for are showing as inactive in Tidal. 

### From inactive to active

A framework becomes automatically active as soon as you **link at least one control** to a framework requirement. This is the first crucial step toward a working compliance setup.

**Activation process:**
1. **Click "Start" button** on a gray (inactive) framework tile
2. **Framework detail page opens** with all framework requirements
3. **Explore the framework structure** and identify priorities
4. **Link first control** to a requirement to complete activation

![Frameworks overview](/images/help/frameworks_overview.png)

### Exploring framework requirements

A framework's requirements are organised into numbered sections you can expand one at a time.

**Understanding structure:**
- **Numbered sections** - For example 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 for ISO 27001
- **Section titles** - "Understanding the organization and its context"
- **Individual requirements** - Specific requirements per section
- **Expandable sections** - Click arrow to show requirements

**Framework navigation tips:**
- **Start with section 4.1** - Often the fundamental organisational context
- **Look for quick wins** - Simple requirements you can address quickly
- **Identify dependencies** - Which requirements build on each other
- **Plan implementation order** - Logical progression through the framework

> **tip:**

**Strategic start**: Begin with organisational requirements (context, scope, policy) before moving to technical implementations. This provides a solid foundation for the rest of the framework.

## Understanding the progress dashboard

Once a framework is active, three percentages tell you how far its requirements are covered.

### Interpreting progress indicators

Once your framework is active, the dashboard shows three critical percentages that represent your compliance status.

![Frameworks overview](/images/help/frameworks_overview.png)

**Assigned:**
- **Percentage of controls** with owners assigned
- **Team responsibility** - Who does what
- **Prerequisite for** - assigning (recurring) tasks
- **Goal:** 100% before sending tasks according to Plans

**Implemented:**
- **Percentage of controls** with all tasks and tests completed
- **Actual implementation** - Controls are operational
- **Prerequisite for** - demonstrating presence and implementation of measures
- **Goal:** 100% before starting internal audit

**Audited:**
- **Percentage of completed assessment tasks** for linked controls
- **Effectiveness verification** - Controls work as intended
- **Prerequisite for** - demonstrating conducted internal audit
- **Goal:** At least 100% before starting certification audit

## Linking controls

There are two routes: reuse an existing control, which is what makes the framework cheap to cover, or create a new one for the requirement.

### "Link control" functionality

The most efficient way to meet framework requirements is by **reusing existing controls**. This maximises your "test once, use often" advantage.

**Control linking steps:**
1. **Click "Link control" button** to the right of a framework requirement
2. **Control search dialog opens** with all available controls
3. **Search and select** relevant controls
4. **Confirm linking** and check result

![Link control dialog](/images/help/frameworks_link_control.png)

### "Add control" workflow

If no suitable existing control is available, you can directly create a new control and link it to the framework requirement.

**Creating new control:**
1. **Click "Add control" button** to the right of a framework requirement
2. **Control creation dialog opens**
3. **Fill in control information**
4. **Control is automatically linked** to the requirement

![Creating new control](/images/help/frameworks_add_control.png)

### Filling in control information

Only the name is required; everything else can be filled in later.

**Required fields:**
- **Name** - Clear, descriptive name for the control
- For example: "Information security policy is established and maintained"

**Optional but recommended fields:**
- **Custom ID** - Own identification number for internal reference
- **Assign owner** - Direct owner assignment for new control
- **Description** - Detailed explanation of control purpose and implementation

**Control naming best practices:**
- **Result-oriented** - Start with the result the control aims to achieve
- **Specific and measurable** - Clear what exactly needs to happen
- **Consistent formatting** - Follow organisational conventions
- **Future-proof** - Names that remain accurate with framework updates

**Examples of good control names:**
```
✓ "Access rights are reviewed and updated"
✓ "Backup procedures are tested"  
✓ "Incident response plan developed and up to date"

✗ "Access control" (too general)
✗ "Monitoring" (unclear what is monitored)
✗ "Security stuff" (not professional)
```

## Unlinking controls

For unlinking framework requirements and existing controls, without deleting the controls.

**"Unlink Control" functionality:**
- **Select** the control(s) you want to unlink
- **Click the newly appeared "Unlink Control" button** next to a linked control
- **Controls remain** but are no longer linked to framework requirement
- **Progress percentages** are automatically updated

![Unlinking controls](/images/help/frameworks_unlink_control.png)

## Next steps

Now that you know how to activate frameworks and link controls:
- **Start with one priority framework** relevant to your organisation
- **Contact us** if you want to use Tidal mappings
- **Map the remaining controls** yourself for maximum reuse efficiency
- **Monitor progress** systematically via dashboard indicators