Data Security: How Modern CAD Stops Data Breaches Before They Start

In traditional CAD systems, like SOLIDWORKS and Autodesk Inventor, data security and management often rely on a patchwork of servers, VPNs, and third-party PDM tools. Access must be configured manually, updates tracked by email, and accountability often depends on file names and timestamps.

Onshape, the first fully cloud-native CAD and PDM platform, changes that paradigm completely. It brings controlled sharing, centralized administration, and built-in analytics together in one secure environment – designed for the way modern engineering teams actually work.

Control Who Sees and Edits Your Designs

Traditional file-based CAD systems make data sharing risky. Once you send or copy a file, it’s out of your control – recipients can edit, duplicate, or even overwrite your work.

With Onshape’s controlled sharing, you can give collaborators exactly the level of access they need – whether view-only, comment-only, or full edit rights. Access can be granted or revoked instantly, and changes are visible immediately to everyone who’s authorized.

Your data never leaves the platform, ensuring that even external partners or contractors work securely without exposing files or losing visibility.

Manage All Users from One Place

Managing users in a traditional CAD environment often involves juggling license servers, shared drives, and manual permission settings – all of which increase the risk of unauthorized access or errors.

Onshape integrates directly with Single Sign-On (SSO) and Active Directory, allowing IT administrators to manage user access centrally and securely. Adding, removing, or modifying permissions takes just seconds, and it applies instantly across the entire platform.

No more waiting for server syncs or manually updating license lists – Onshape gives you enterprise-level control without the complexity.

See Who Did What, When

In traditional CAD workflows, tracking who changed what – and when – can be a challenge. Even with PDM systems, understanding project history often means digging through logs or manually comparing file revisions.

Onshape solves that with built-in activity logging. Every action – from a feature edit to a version creation – is recorded automatically. You can instantly see who made changes, when they were made, and what was affected, providing full accountability across your organization.

Whether you’re auditing design changes or managing team performance, Onshape gives you the visibility you need to stay informed.

Make Decisions Based on Real Usage Data

While most CAD systems stop at design tools, Onshape goes further with integrated analytics that give you real visibility into how your teams are working.

Administrators and project leads can track:

• Project progress and activity trends
• User engagement and productivity
• Document creation, sharing, and versioning patterns

These insights make it easier to identify bottlenecks, measure collaboration, and make data-driven decisions that improve your engineering processes.

Never Lose Another Design File

Traditional CAD relies on local files, meaning backups, versioning, and recovery all depend on your IT setup. A hard drive failure or server outage can lead to data loss or downtime.

Because Onshape is cloud-native, your work is automatically backed up and stored securely across redundant servers. There’s no manual backup process – your data is always safe, always recoverable, and always up to date.

It’s a level of reliability and security that file-based systems simply can’t match.

Why Security and Control Matter in Modern CAD

• Controlled sharing with granular access
• Centralized authentication via SSO and Active Directory
• Full audit trail with activity logging
• Built-in analytics and reporting
• Automatic cloud backups and redundancy

These capabilities aren’t optional anymore – they’re essential for fast-moving, connected engineering teams. Onshape delivers all of them natively, no add-ons or extra servers required.

The Future of Secure CAD Data Management

Traditional CAD tools were built for single-user, desktop-based workflows. Onshape was built for connected, cloud-based teams that need security, flexibility, and insight in real time.

With Onshape, you can design smarter, manage confidently, and protect your data effortlessly – all from your browser.

No installs. No lost files. No risk. Just confidence in every design decision.

Ready to Take Control of Your CAD Data?

Experience how Onshape’s cloud-native security and analytics can streamline management while keeping your data safe and compliant.

Try Onshape for free or explore the Onshape Learning Center to see how modern engineering teams stay secure, informed, and in control with Onshape.