Proven Plugin Security Architecture: How to Protect User Data and Designs for SolidWorks in 2025
2025-07-30 15:20
As we dive deeper into 2025, the security of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) files has become an essential concern, with SolidWorks leading the charge as one of the most widely-used 3D design software worldwide. CAD data contains sensitive intellectual property (IP), and its protection is paramount for entrepreneurs, SMEs, freelancers, and engineers working to turn their visions into tangible products.
But here's the issue: shared SolidWorks files can easily fall into the wrong hands, leading to compromised designs or intellectual property theft.
This article explores Proven steps to optimize SolidWorks plugin security architecture, from using blockchain-based encryption tools to leveraging advanced data management systems.
Why SolidWorks Plugin Security Matters
In industries ranging from aerospace to consumer goods, SolidWorks is the backbone of product design. CAD files represent full-fledged concepts, with years of intellectual effort poured into them. Here's why securing these designs is crucial:
Intellectual Property Protection: Securing CAD files prevents theft or misuse of designs and proprietary data.
Client Confidentiality: Engineering and design firms often work with sensitive data tied to client projects, requiring stringent confidentiality.
Compliance with Regulations: Industries are increasingly required to comply with data security regulations, such as GDPR and CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification).
A recent survey by Dassault Systèmes found that 67% of engineers prioritized plugin security upgrades to safeguard their client files and designs.
Top Technologies & Solutions for SolidWorks Security
1. Blockchain-Based Plugin Protection with BORIS
SolidWorks plugins like Solid Boris offer blockchain-based protection that secures intellectual property at the source. Blockchain ensures immutability, tracking file permissions and preventing unauthorized access. Industries with high-stakes designs rely on such tools to ensure ownership rights are maintained.
2. SOLIDWORKS PDM for Collaborative Security
SOLIDWORKS PDM (Product Data Management) provides centralized storage, protected workflows, and accurate design version control. It uses encryption and user authentication methods to prevent unauthorized file manipulation or leaks during collaboration. This must-have tool is a popular choice for SMEs and engineering firms managing complex design files.
3. Advanced Encryption with SealPath
Looking to prevent unauthorized access to your CAD files? Tools like SealPath secure files through real-time access control even after sharing. With automatic encryption and granular permissions, this solution allows SolidWorks users to lock files from being printed, forwarded, or edited without authorization.
4. HALOCAD Encryption for Interoperability
Designed for files universally shared between CAD platforms, HALOCAD by Secude supports encryption for formats such as IGES or STEP while maintaining functionality across tools. HALOCAD integrates seamlessly with SolidWorks, ensuring that security concerns don’t block productivity during multi-platform collaborations.
5. UpGuard Security Reports
UpGuard’s SolidWorks report offers insights into past vulnerabilities and proactive risk management techniques. With third-party vendor risk assessments, this tool helps SolidWorks engineers and entrepreneurs prevent data breaches before they occur.
6. SOLIDWORKS Data Encryption Tips
For hands-on strategies, companies can follow guides like SOLIDWORKS PDM Encryption Tutorial from Javelin Tech. Encrypting design data ensures every piece of your intellectual property is protected during storage or transfer, key for high-security environments.
How to Secure SolidWorks Plugins: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Audit Your Current Security Framework
Before implementing new tools, evaluate how well your current security system handles CAD files. Are your designs encrypted? Who has access permissions?
Step 2: Invest in Secure Collaboration Platforms
Start using a PDM system like SOLIDWORKS PDM. These platforms ensure collaborators must authenticate each time they access a file.
Step 3: Encrypt Critical Files with Plugins like SealPath
Whether you need to collaborate externally or share designs across platforms, encryption tools like SealPath prevent unauthorized access through advanced features like usage tracking and restricted permissions in real time.
Step 4: Monitor Cybersecurity Risks
Use third-party tools such as UpGuard’s Risk Assessment for cybersecurity threats associated with your plugins or vendors. Regularly update plugins to prioritize safe handling of CAD data.
Mistakes to Avoid in SolidWorks Plugin Security
Common Pitfalls
Overlooking Updates: Outdated plugins can become vulnerabilities. Regular updates ensure bugs and risks are patched.
Ignoring User Permissions: Failing to assign specific roles means unregulated file access, increasing risks of data theft.
Sharing Files Without Tracking: Avoid emailing designs without secure file permissions or encryption mechanisms.
Real-World Example
An SME in Germany faced data leakage worth over €200,000 after sharing unencrypted STEP files during design manufacturing. Plugins such as HALOCAD could have prevented this by ensuring encrypted interoperability.
The Future of CAD Security Is Here
In 2025, SolidWorks users are experiencing rapid advancements in plugin security architectures. From blockchain-based tools to AI-powered risk management, protecting CAD files has never been easier, or more necessary. Companies are shifting from reactive measures to the proactive integration of cutting-edge security systems to protect their designs.
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Conclusion
Securing SolidWorks plugins is not just about protecting intellectual property, it’s about safeguarding your business’s future. Solutions like Solid Boris, SealPath, and HALOCAD offer proven ways to encrypt files, lock data against unauthorized use, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity standards.
Whether you're an entrepreneur or CAD engineer working on cutting-edge designs, implementing these best practices ensures that your most valuable assets remain safe now and in the years ahead.
Ready to share this guide with your network? Bookmark it today! 🚀
FAQ on Plugin Security Architecture for SolidWorks
1. Why is securing SolidWorks plugins essential?
Securing SolidWorks plugins protects intellectual property, guarantees client confidentiality, and ensures compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and CMMC. Learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM Security
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3. How does blockchain enhance SolidWorks plugin security?
Blockchain-based plugins like Solid Boris provide immutability, tracking, and encrypted permissions to prevent unauthorized access to CAD files. Explore Solid Boris Blockchain Plugin
4. What tools can be used for secure collaboration in SolidWorks?
SOLIDWORKS PDM offers centralized storage, user authentication, and protected workflows, enabling secure collaboration. Learn more about SOLIDWORKS PDM
5. How can encryption protect sensitive SolidWorks files?
Tools like SealPath provide real-time encryption and granular file permissions, preventing unauthorized actions like forwarding or editing. Explore SealPath for CAD Security
6. Can SolidWorks files stay secure across different CAD platforms?
HALOCAD enables encryption for universal CAD formats like IGES and STEP, ensuring secure interoperability in multi-platform scenarios. Learn about HALOCAD
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8. How can SolidWorks users prevent cybersecurity threats?
SolidWorks users can employ tools like UpGuard’s risk reports for insights into vulnerabilities and proactive security management. Discover UpGuard’s SolidWorks Report
9. What are common mistakes in plugin security?
Mistakes include missing updates, neglecting user permissions, and sharing files without encryption or tracking. Learn to avoid common pitfalls
10. How does AI-based documentation support SolidWorks security?
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About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about best hotels in Italy to work from.