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title: Setting up Tidal Control description: Account activation, user configuration and basic setup for Tidal Control sidebar_position: 1

Setting up Tidal Control

Account activation and first login

Account activation

You have received an invitation email with instructions for account activation. This email contains:

• Account activation link - Direct access to Tidal Control
• Organization URL - Your specific Tidal environment
• Password setup - Via Keycloak authentication system

Activation steps:

1. Click activation link in invitation email
2. Set password via web interface
3. Log in to your organization Tidal environment
4. Explore dashboard for initial orientation

Interface orientation

Understanding main navigation:

• My Overview - Personal dashboard with assigned tasks
• Compliance section - Frameworks, Controls, Tasks, Tests
• Organisation section - Plans, Risks, Vendors, Assets, Policies
• Settings - Users, integrations, system configuration

User management (for Super Users)

If you are a Super User, configure team access before starting compliance work.

Adding team members

Creating users:

1. Go to Settings → Users

1. Click "Add User" in top right
2. Fill in basic information:
   • First name and last name
   • Email address (becomes login identifier)
3. Click "Create"

Assigning roles

Choose appropriate role per user:

• Read Only User - View access only, no execution rights
• Regular User - Standard compliance staff
• Super User - Administrators with full access

Role assignment:

• Click Role dropdown in user row
• Select desired role
• Change takes effect immediately

For comprehensive explanation of user roles and access rights, see Getting started with user management.

Sending invitations

Activating users:

1. Click Actions menu (three dots) per user
2. Select "Send invite"
3. User receives activation email
4. User follows same activation process

For detailed user management, see Creating and managing users.

Strict Mode considerations

Organizations in Strict Mode have granular access control per compliance object:

• Regular Users only see assigned objects
• Object-level roles required (Viewer, Contributor, Owner)
• Explicit assignment needed for controls, assets, risks

For complete Strict Mode configuration, see Strict Mode and granular access control.

Data import support

Existing compliance data: Tidal Support can import:

• Existing controls and policies
• Risk registers and risk assessments
• Asset inventories
• User accounts and their assignments

Import request: Email support@tidalcontrol.com with:

• Current compliance data (spreadsheets, documents)
• User list with roles
• Required frameworks

Optional configuration

Single Sign-On (SSO)

For organizations with central identity management (e.g. Azure/Entra ID):

• Centralized authentication via existing identity provider
• Simplified user management
• Enhanced access security control with organizational policies

SSO setup requires IT administrator and can run parallel to compliance work. For SSO configuration, see Getting started with user management.

Integration preparation

External system connections for automated compliance:

• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Development tools (GitHub, GitLab)
• Business applications (Google Workspace, Jira)

Integration planning:

• Inventory available systems - Which tools do you use?
• Prioritize critical systems - Which have highest compliance impact?
• Plan configuration timing - After basic compliance setup

For complete integrations overview, see Getting started with Integrations.

Setup validation checklist

Before proceeding:

• Account activated and password set
• Team users created and invited
• Roles assigned according to organization structure

And, where relevant:

• Strict Mode configured
• Data import prepared and executed
• Single Sign-On configured
• Integrations configured

Next steps

With basic setup complete you can begin framework implementation:

• Document organizational context
• Perform risk analysis and select controls
• Create asset inventory and perform business impact analysis
• Start control implementation
• Collaborate in teams on tasks