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Managing & configuring the controls register

Learn how to set up the controls register in the Registers module

This article is about setting up the controls register in the Registers module. Head here for controls in the Controls module. Head here for an everyday user guide for an already configured controls register.

Table of contents

Getting started

What is it?

The controls register centralizes compliance using linked data. It allows your organization to quickly get the full picture of your compliance posture by linking tests, tasks and authority frameworks to the controls in the controls register.

With the help of Hailey AI (link to Hailey assisted mappings IGRC KB), more data linked to a controls means more helpful insights, more comprehensive validation guides for tests (link to tests config KB), and more concrete next steps (link to tasks user KB) for ongoing compliance activities.

Where is it?

Using the left navigation menu, head to the Registers (1) module. Here you can find the controls register (2) in the list.

Editing register settings

Click on the gear icon to access the controls register's settings.

In the settings page, click on the pencil icon next to each section to edit it.


  • Import with Hailey - allows users to import controls into the register using Hailey AI.
  • Requirement based assessments -allows users to create RBAs based on controls in the register.
  • Workflow - allows configuration of workflow stages.

When done, click Save to confirm the changes.

Editing workflow stages

If the workflow setting is enabled, you can access workflow stage configuration by using the button next to settings in the registers list.

By default, we provide 3 stages, which are Draft, Active, and Paused.

You can use workflow stages to define process and to help users differentiate between the controls they own. You can use/edit the default stages or create your own stages.

For step-by-step instructions, head here.

Creating custom fields

By default, a control comes with the below fields.

  • ID Ref - can be updated at any time and has to be unique

  • Name

  • Description

  • Type - by default, the options for this field are Preventive, Detective, & Corrective. This field cannot be deleted, but you can edit the options in Custom data.

  • Domain - by default, the options for this field are provided. This field cannot be deleted, but you can edit the options in Custom data. This is a multiselect type field.

  • Tags

  • Owners

  • Access members


You can create custom fields or edit default field options in Administration > Custom data > Controls custom attributes.

 

For dropdown or multiselect dropdown type fields, double click on the label to edit selectable options.

For step-by-step instructions, head here.

Enabled custom fields apply across all controls and appear below the default fields in the overview tab.

 

Register tab

Click on the register name to access the register. By default, you will be taken to the register tab where all the controls are listed.

 

Head here to learn more about the search & filter (link to search & filter KB) functionalities.

Insights tab

The insights tab (link to insights KB) shows charts and other high level information related to your controls.

Viewer tab

The viewer tab provides a read-only view of controls, tasks, and assignees. You can click on the tasks to expand their details, as well as export the register as a PDF.

Creating controls

To create controls from scratch in the platform, click on Create control in the top right corner in the Register tab to get started.

 

When creating or importing controls, you can customize the ID to better suit the needs of your organization.

The custom ID can be edited/updated after the control is created.

Importing controls

If you have existing controls already, you can either use a template or Hailey to import them into the register. Click on Import then select the option that suits your data format.

  • Import via template - If you have a spreadsheet, copy your existing columns into the given template outlined below.

  • Import with Hailey  - If you have policy documents, Hailey can try to interpret the document and parse each policy as a control register item.

To import using the template, click on Import via template then Download Template.

The template includes the below default field columns.

  • ID Ref - this has to be unique. If existing IDs are used, the imported information will overwrite the existing register item. You will see a confirmation message if existing IDs are detected.
  • Name
  • Stage - this is the workflow stage if applicable.
  • Description
  • Owners - use the user's email address, separated by commas. To set users in an user group as owners, enter the group's name.
  • Tags - separate multiple tags by comma.
  • Access members - users who will have view access to this register item; use the user's email address, separated by commas. To give view access to a user group, enter the group's name.
  • Comments - all text will be imported as one comment with no line break.
  • Type - refer to custom field below dropdown type.
  • Domain - refer to custom field below multiselect type.
  • Linked data from other registers and modules (issues, provisions, tests, tasks etc) - use the name of the item, separated by a comma if multiple. If the item does not yet exist, it will be created in the corresponding register and linked upon import.

Linked provisions will only be imported if you have permissions to the compliance module.

Linked file names that do not yet exist cannot be created upon import because the file register requires an actual file for each register item.

Any custom fields will also appear as additional columns on the template.

  • For free text type fields, you can add any text you like.
  • For dropdown type fields, you must enter the name of a selectable option in the defined dropdown list. The text must match identically and is case-sensitive.
  • For multiselect type fields, you must enter the name(s) of the selectable option(s) in the defined dropdown list separated by a comma (,). The text must match identically and is case-sensitive.
  • For long text type fields, you can add any text you like.
  • For date type fields, use DD/MM/YYYY (e.g. 24/08/2026) or MMM dd, YYYY (e.g. Aug 24, 2026).
  • For number type fields, use any number, including decimals. Text and special characters are not allowed.
  • For user type fields, use the user's email address.

Linking tests and other data

The data linked to controls are used in the tests for this control as part of the scope when Hailey is used to validate the evidence submitted for the test (link to Hailey evidence validation guide KB).

You can see all the data linked to a control in its overview side panel in the Linked data tab.

To link existing items, click on the link button. To create and link a new item, select the register you want to create the item in (1) and then click on Create & link (2).

Once created with a name and description, the item will be automatically linked. You will be able to add moe details to it by clicking on the arrow next to it in the side panel's Linked data tab.

 

Head here to learn more about Hailey's suggestions.

Permissions

The controls register comes with its own set of granular permissions.

To update a role's permissions related to the controls register, head to Administration > Roles (1) and select the role you want to edit (2 & 3). Here you can find the controls register permission folder in the Permissions tab (4).

Head here for further details on each permission.

Next steps

  • Using the controls register (link to KB)
  • Configuring the tests and tasks registers (links to KB)
  • Mapping your controls to authority frameworks (link to KB)