CAD File Encryption & Engineering Data Protection
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Why protecting files before storage is the only reliable security model.
Most companies believe their CAD projects are protected because they are stored inside a secure server, SharePoint, or cloud drive.
They are not.
The moment a drawing is saved unencrypted into storage, the storage system becomes the security boundary — and storage systems were designed for availability and sharing, not for protecting intellectual property.
This is the core problem facing engineering firms today: CAD security is usually applied after the file is already exposed. Many organizations therefore implement a dedicated CAD file encryption solution to protect project folders instead of relying on storage permissions.
And by then, it’s too late.
The hidden risk inside engineering project folders
Engineering projects are not single files. They are structured environments containing:
DWG drawings.
BIM models.
XREF dependencies.
PDFs and reports.
Spreadsheets.
Lab measurements.
Manufacturing specifications.
Test results.
A typical project folder represents months — sometimes years — of research and design work.
When stored normally:
IT administrators can access contents.
Cloud providers can technically read files.
Ransomware encrypts them instantly.
Copied files remain readable forever.
Former employees may retain access.
Permissions control who opens a folder. They do not control who reads the file contents.
Once copied, emailed, or stolen — the data is exposed.
TeraCryption is the correct CAD File Encryption security model: protect the file itself
Instead of trusting the storage location, TeraCryption encrypts the file content. This means:
A drawing remains protected wherever it goes.
Not just in your office.
Not just in your cloud.
Not just behind your firewall.
Everywhere.
This is the principle behind TeraKey's CAD file encryption performed on the user’s workstation. The file is secured before it ever reaches storage.
What changes when files are encrypted with TeraCryption before storage
When a CAD drawing is encrypted with TeraKey, the encryption engine component of the TeraCryption platform, at creation time:
Traditional Storage Security | TeraKey File-Level Encryption |
Protects folders | Protects file contents |
Fails after copying | Remains protected anywhere |
Depends on network security | Independent of storage location |
Vulnerable to ransomware | Files remain unreadable |
Requires strict IT control | Controlled by file permissions |
Instead of asking “who can access the server?” you control “who can open the drawing?”
This difference is fundamental.
TeraCryption protects DWG, BIM and XREF without changing workflows
The biggest concern engineers have is disruption. They worry encryption will mean:
Exporting files.
Using portals.
Checking files in and out.
Broken references.
Slow performance.
TeraKey CAD file encryption does none of that.
Designers continue to:
Open drawings normally.
Edit models normally.
Save files normally.
The difference happens invisibly:
The file is automatically encrypted when saved and automatically decrypted when opened by an authorized user.
External references and project folder relationships continue to work because the file structure is preserved.
From the designer’s perspective — nothing changed.
From a security perspective — everything changed.
Many organizations are surprised how simple the change is once they see it in operation. A short demonstration usually answers all workflow and compatibility concerns.
Why cloud storage permissions are not enough
Cloud storage platforms are excellent collaboration tools. They are not confidentiality tools.
They protect accounts, not intellectual property.
If someone downloads a file:
Permissions no longer apply.
Links no longer matter.
Logs no longer help.
The drawing remains readable.
This is why many breaches do not involve hacking at all. They involve legitimate access followed by copying. TeraKey Encryption before storage prevents this entirely. A copied file is still protected.
Engineering environments that benefit immediately
CAD encryption using TeraCryption is not limited to architecture firms. It applies wherever technical knowledge exists in file form:
Design firms.
Construction.
Mechanical design
Civil engineering.
Manufacturing
Tooling specifications.
Fabrication drawings.
Process documentation.
Research & laboratories
Material testing.
Measurement results.
Experiment documentation.
Industrial contractors
Bid drawings.
Site plans.
Modification layouts.
In all cases, the real asset is not the server — it is the information inside the files.
A practical example
Consider a project shared between headquarters, a contractor, and a consultant.
Without file encryption:
Each party receives readable drawings.
Files may be copied indefinitely.
Access cannot truly be revoked.
With TeraKey file-level encryption:
Only authorized users open the files.
Removed users instantly lose access.
Copied files remain protected.
Storage location becomes irrelevant.
Security follows the drawing, not the network.
The business impact
When engineering data is protected at the file level. intellectual property stays confidential:
Insider risk is reduced.
Ransomware impact is minimized.
Cloud storage becomes safe to use.
Collaboration becomes controlled instead of risky.
Security stops being an obstacle and becomes an enabler.
The real question to ask
Instead of asking: “Is our server secure?” Engineering companies should ask:
“If someone copies a drawing today, can they read it tomorrow?”
If the answer is yes — the CAD project is not protected.
A detailed explanation of the workflow can be found in the CAD file encryption technical overview.
See how it works in practice
Understanding this concept takes less than 20 minutes when demonstrated live. A short demonstration shows:
How drawings remain usable.
Permissions control access.
How project folders remain intact.
How files stay protected outside your network
No workflow changes.
No plugins.
No user training required.
Request a live demonstration and see how engineering files remain protected even after leaving storage.
Your projects represent expertise, research, and competitive advantage.
They deserve protection that travels with the file itself — not protection that stops at the server boundary.
