# Create Policy

Create policies in WatchDog using pre-built templates or fully custom content. Policies can be saved as drafts and edited before publishing.

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  <div style="font-weight:700; margin-bottom:20px;">Who can use this feature?</div>

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        All <span style="color:#d760f9; font-weight:600;">Account Owners</span> and <span style="color:#d760f9; font-weight:600;">Security Admins</span>
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        Available on the <span style="color:#d760f9; font-weight:600;">Free</span>, <span style="color:#d760f9; font-weight:600;">Core</span> and <span style="color:#d760f9; font-weight:600;">Business</span> plans
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## How To Create a Policy Using a WatchDog Template

<Steps>

<Step title="Sign in to WatchDog Security">
  Sign in to the [**WatchDog Security Platform**](app.watchdogsecurity.io).
</Step>

<Step title="Open Policy Manager">
  Navigate to **Policy Manager** from the left-hand menu.
</Step>

<Step title="Create New Policy">
  Click **Create New Policy** to begin creating a policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Select Policy">
  Select a policy from the dropdown menu (e.g. Information Security Policy) and the policy owner
</Step>

<Step title="Assign Policy Owner">
  Select a **Policy Owner** who will manage and edit the policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Create Policy">
  Click **Create Policy** to generate the draft policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Edit Policy Content">
  Update the policy content, replacing highlighted sections and adding required details.
</Step>

</Steps>

## How To Create a Custom Policy

<Steps>

<Step title="Sign in to WatchDog Security">
  Sign in to the [**WatchDog Security Platform**](app.watchdogsecurity.io).
</Step>

<Step title="Open Policy Manager">
  Navigate to **Policy Manager** from the left-hand menu.
</Step>

<Step title="Create New Policy">
  Click **Create New Policy** to begin creating a policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Enter Custom Policy Name">
  Enter the name of your Custom Policy in the Policy dropdown box and click Create "{POLICY NAME}" in the dropdown box
</Step>

<Step title="Assign Policy Owner">
  Select a **Policy Owner** who will manage and edit the policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Create Policy">
  Click **Create Policy** to generate the draft policy.
</Step>

<Step title="Edit Policy Content">
  Update the policy content, replacing highlighted sections and adding required details.
</Step>

</Steps>

## What Happens Next

<TipInfo>The policy is saved as a draft and is not visible to end users.</TipInfo>
<TipInfo>The assigned Policy Owner can continue editing the policy at any time.</TipInfo>
<TipInfo>The policy can be published when ready to require user acceptance.</TipInfo>

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## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>

<Accordion title="Cannot Create Policy" defaultOpen>
If you cannot create a policy:

- Ensure you are an **Account Owner** or **Security Admin**
- Verify your plan supports **Policy Manager**
- Refresh the page and retry
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Template Not Appearing">
If templates are missing:

- Confirm templates are available in your **selected plan**
- Check if the dropdown is filtered or search is applied
- Try refreshing the page
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Policy Owner Cannot Edit">
If the Policy Owner cannot edit:

- Ensure the policy has been assigned correctly  
- Verify the user has access to **Policy Manager**
- Confirm the policy is still in **Draft** or editable state
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Changes Not Saving">
If updates are not saving:

- Ensure all required fields are completed  
- Check for browser issues or refresh the page  
- Try saving again after minor edits
</Accordion>

</AccordionGroup>