TeraCryption
Enterprise File Encryption System
Secure CAD Drawings with Automatic File Encryption
CAD file encryption is essential for protecting engineering files such as drawings, design files, and project data stored on servers or cloud platforms.
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Organizations working with AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, and similar tools require a solution that secures files without interrupting how designers work.
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TeraCryption encrypts CAD files before they are stored, ensuring that only authorized users can access project data—regardless of where files are located.
Designers continue working normally inside their CAD applications, opening, editing, and saving files without changing their workflow.
Secure CAD File Encryption for Engineering Projects and Design Teams
Secure CAD and engineering project files without breaking team workflows.
Project file protection for CAD Tools:
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AutoCAD
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Sketchup
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Revit
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Rhino
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ArchiCAD
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3DSMax
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Vectorworks
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Allplan
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Briscadown
TeraCryption secures CAD drawings, engineering files, and project structures using file-level encryption designed for large design environments. It protects files stored on servers or cloud platforms while allowing engineers and designers to work locally at full speed.
By encrypting files automatically and controlling access at the file level, TeraCryption enables secure team workflows for AutoCAD, Revit, SolidWorks, and other CAD applications without disrupting how projects are managed or accessed.
TeraCryption applies Enterprise File Protection Infrastructure to secure engineering workflows, distributed CAD operations, and centralized project protection.
This solution is part of a broader file encryption system designed to protect business files across all departments.
30-minute technical walkthrough
Secure Multi-User Access Without File Conflicts
CAD environments require controlled access—not simultaneous editing.
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TeraCryption enables secure teamwork by allowing one designer to work on a file while others are notified and granted controlled access when appropriate.
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Files are decrypted into a secure local workspace, and project files remain encrypted and protected on the server.
This ensures:
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File integrity.
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Controlled access.
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No accidental overwrites.
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Full project protection.
This is secure teamwork aligned with how CAD systems operate.
See how this works in your environment
30-minute technical walkthrough
Why Traditional CAD Security Methods Fail
Traditional file protection methods are not designed for engineering environments.
They often:
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Require manual encryption and decryption
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Break file references between drawings (DWG, XREF, BIM)
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Interrupt workflows
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Depend on complex key management systems
CAD workflows require continuous access and performance, making these approaches impractical.
TeraCryption solves this by protecting files transparently without interfering with how designers work.
Who Needs CAD File Encryption
The TeraCryption file-level encryption system is built for organizations that manage complex CAD and engineering projects containing confidential intellectual property, technical drawings, and regulated project data.
Typical users include:
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Architecture and engineering firms.
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Construction and design-build companies.
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Manufacturing and product design teams.
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Government and infrastructure projects.
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Organizations handling proprietary or regulated data.
Protect CAD Files from Ransomware and Unauthorized Access
CAD and engineering files are among the most valuable assets in an organization, making them a frequent target for ransomware attacks and data theft.
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Traditional security methods protect storage systems—but once files are accessed or copied, they remain exposed.
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TeraCryption protects CAD files directly with file-level encryption.
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Each file remains encrypted at all times and can only be opened by authorized users.
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Even if attackers gain access to storage systems, CAD files remain encrypted and unreadable.
TeraBackup adds continuous encrypted backup, allowing organizations to recover quickly without data loss.
Work at Full Speed Without VPN Delays
Engineering teams often experience performance issues when working with CAD files over VPN connections due to large project sizes and continuous network access.
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TeraCryption eliminates this bottleneck by allowing designers to access only the files they need.
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Selected files are decrypted locally, enabling designers to work at full workstation speed without constant communication with the server.
This approach reduces network load, improves remote performance, and maintains full file protection.
Works with Your Existing Servers and Cloud Storage
It supports:
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Local file servers (best performance)
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Cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive, Amazon S3)
When high-speed fiber connections are available, organizations can securely store CAD files in cloud environments while maintaining controlled access and encryption.
Performance depends on network speed—not encryption.
How CAD File Encryption Works
TeraCryption protects CAD files at the file level rather than relying on storage or network security.
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Files are encrypted on the user’s workstation before being stored on a server or in the cloud.
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Encrypted files remain protected at rest and during transfer.
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When an authorized user opens a file, it is decrypted locally into a secure workspace, allowing full-speed work inside the CAD application.
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When the file is closed, it is automatically re-encrypted and updated.
Protection follows the file—not the storage location.
The secure workflow technologies used by TeraCryption for CAD environments evolved from enterprise communications and automated encryption management systems developed over several decades.
Part of a Secure File Access Platform
TeraCryption is built on a unified secure file access platform that protects files across departments—including engineering, legal, finance, and operations.
The same platform used to secure CAD files can also protect all business-critical data while controlling access across your organization.
Common questions about CAD file encryption and secure engineering workflows
1. How can you protect CAD project files stored on a server?
TeraCryption allows an organization to encrypt an entire CAD project before storing it in a shared server folder. Project drawings and related files remain encrypted on the server and can only be decrypted by authorized users. Designers can use their locally installed CAD applications and select the project files they need to work with. Because protection is applied to the files themselves, files copied or removed from the server remain encrypted unless the user is authorized to decrypt them.
2. How can designers work with large encrypted CAD projects without continuously working over a VPN?
Large CAD projects can contain gigabytes of interconnected drawings and supporting files. Continuously working with those files across a VPN or other remote connection can introduce delays that interfere with productive CAD work. TeraCryption provides an alternative: the central project remains encrypted while authorized designers can bring the files they need into their local working environment and use their locally installed CAD applications. Designers normally do not need every drawing in a large project at the same time. Large files still require time to transfer—TeraCryption does not eliminate network transfer time. The advantage is that once the required files are available locally, normal CAD editing does not have to occur continuously across the remote connection.
3. Can TeraCryption protect CAD files used by external or remote designers?
Yes. When designers are outside the organization's local network, encrypted CAD projects can be maintained in a supported central cloud-storage environment, allowing authorized remote designers to access the project files they need. The CAD files are encrypted before being placed in cloud storage. Authorized designers can obtain the required files and work locally with their installed CAD applications, while the centrally stored project remains protected. This provides organizations with an alternative for supporting external and distributed engineering teams without requiring unencrypted CAD projects to be maintained in shared cloud storage.
4. Can TeraCryption work with existing CAD applications and project structures?
Yes. TeraCryption operates at the file level and does not require encryption plugins or modifications to the CAD application itself. Designers continue using their existing CAD software and familiar Windows file operations. TeraCryption also preserves file names, folders, and project relationships so interconnected drawings and supporting project files can maintain their established structure. XREFs and other dependent project relationships continue to operate when the required files are available to the authorized designer. This allows organizations to add file protection without redesigning the CAD application or established engineering workflow.
5. How can multiple engineers securely work with the same protected CAD project?
TeraCryption allows engineering teams to maintain a centrally protected CAD project while controlling which users are authorized to access its files. Designers can work with the drawings and project files required for their assignments without exposing the complete protected project to unauthorized users. Authorized designers work with required files through their normal CAD applications, while the centrally stored project files remain encrypted. This combines collaborative access with file-level security without requiring designers to manually manage encryption keys.
6. If a CAD cloud or SaaS platform already provides encryption, why would we need TeraCryption?
CAD cloud and SaaS platforms may provide strong encryption, authentication, permissions, and other security controls within their environments. A separate security question arises when CAD drawings or project files are downloaded for local work, maintained on company servers, copied to other storage locations, or otherwise exist outside the SaaS platform. TeraCryption is designed to complement these systems rather than replace them by providing file-level protection throughout the organization's working environment. This allows companies to continue using their preferred CAD and cloud platforms while addressing the protection of confidential engineering files before upload, after download, and wherever those files must be stored or used outside the SaaS environment.
7. How does TeraCryption help protect CAD projects from ransomware or file tampering?
TeraCryption keeps centrally stored CAD project files encrypted and restricts decryption to authorized users. Organizations using TeraBackup gain an additional protection and recovery layer by maintaining encrypted backup copies of protected project files. Before an updated TeraKey-encrypted file is accepted into the protected cloud backup, TeraBackup verifies it. If an encrypted file has been tampered with and fails verification, it is not accepted as the replacement backup copy and is moved to quarantine, while the previously stored protected copy remains available for recovery. This helps organizations protect valuable engineering work not only through encryption and access control, but also through file-integrity verification and recovery of previously protected copies.