Do you use PTC Creo? Here’s how you can protect your CAD files

Securing PTC Creo files

The versatility of Creo

Creo, as you would be knowing, is a powerful product design software from PTC. A very versatile application, it is used by many thousands of users in design, manufacturing and engineering organizations across the globe.Creo, as a family set, is made up of individual applications that include Creo Direct, Creo Simulate, Creo Options Modeler, Creo Parametric and Creo Layout.Every application serves a unique purpose. Thus, the entire Creo suite helps in every stage of development – right from concept to design to analysis.The crowing feature, perhaps, is that each application is not siloed, but enables seamless communication with up and downstream partners during the complete design process. This is a great benefit for associated activities such as in the creation of manufacturing and technical publications.

Interesting features

Creo has many interesting and very useful capabilities that make it an invaluable tool for designers. First, Creo provides users scalable access to the capabilities necessary by the user. Secondly, Creo applications are not siloed, but communicate seamlessly with one another.Also, Creo does not limit the user to data from its applications but enables the user to use data from any CAD application beyond Creo. This feature saves users from redesigning due to data incompatibility issues.Such features enable Creo users standard product design challenges of designing, analyzing and sharing information between various stakeholders – internal teams and external partners.

A hidden threat

On a regular basis, users export sensitive drawing files from Creo applications with multiple stakeholders within and outside the organization.The data could then be downloaded and stored on devices, such as USB thumb drives and local hard disks, or, increasingly, on mobile devices and in cloud storage solutions, such as Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive.Such drawing files may end up in places beyond the organization’s control, such as on the file share of an untrustworthy partner or the inbox of a competitor.Even on trusted employee devices, with the increase in sophistication of malware and Trojans, the risk of data loss has never been higher.

Securing CAD files leveraging your investment in Microsoft

Does your company use Microsoft?You would be aware that Microsoft’s Azure Information Protection is already part of your Microsoft license package (L3 and higher).Why invest more in new data protection solutions when you can seamlessly leverage Microsoft?

1. HALOCAD enables CAD applications to use Microsoft’s Azure Information Protection directly whatever is the CMS in the background. In this case HALOCAD enables encryption of CAD files including Azure Information Protection label handling and privilege enforcement.
2. HALOCAD provides end-to-end protection of CAD files by seamlessly applying Azure Information Protection templates on the CAD files at the moment of its creation.
3. At the time of file creation, the user’s valid credentials will invoke MIP labels from Azure which can be applied to the newly created CAD file.
4. Protected files can only be opened and modified by authorized users and thus, protection continues to remain even when the file is accessed by multiple users.The user’s rights are governed by pre-established policies.

Supported File Types and Supported Versions

HALOCAD Plug-in for PTC Creo supports

1. .drw
2. .frm
3. .mfg
4. .sec
5. .lay

HALOCAD for PTC Creo supports following versions

1. PTC Creo Parametric 6.0
2. PTC Creo Parametric 7.0
3. PTC Creo Parametric 8.0
4. PTC Creo Parametric 9.0

Available permissions & Access controls

1. Access control (view, edit)
2. Usage control (print, save, save as, copy/paste, screen capture with snipping tool, copy to clipboard)
3. Dynamic watermarks

Automated Protection of CAD Files Shared Across the Supply ChainWatch VideoContact UsREFERENCES:What You Need to Know About PTC Creo – An IntroductionProduct Lifecycle Management (PLM)Product Lifecycle Management