DLP leaves IP protection gaps. Here's how AECO can close them.

Building designs, mechanical drawings, structural plans. CAD software is the backbone of modern AECO projects and contains some of AECO’s most confidential intellectual property (IP). But most architects, engineers, construction firms and operations companies still rely on Data Loss Prevention (DLP) tools to protect their CAD data.

DLP tools only protect CAD data after it's stored, leaving a wide range of opportunities for cyberattackers before storage or when files travel outside of your BIM/CDE environment. 

But with Secude working alongside your existing DLP tools, you can close these security gaps and protect your IP. 

3 CAD file DLP gaps AECO needs to close

CAD files are AECO’s precious crown jewels, containing your most important trade secrets. DLP security acts like a bank vault, locking down these jewels and protecting them from accidental leaks and cyberattacks. But DLP security does not protect these jewels when they’re first created or when they’re travelling to and from the bank vault. 

With DLP, your CAD files are:

• Not secure by default. DLP security is not embedded in your CAD files. As DLP acts like an external shield, rather than integrated file-level security, you cannot track where CAD files travel or prevent unauthorized access if files are accidentally leaked. 

• Not secure when generated. From threat detection software to firewalls, DLP solutions can enhance CAD file protection — but only after the files are classified. As most DLP security kicks in at the storage level, there’s a significant risk window between data generation and storage.
  
  
• Not secure when in transit. DLP does not protect files shared outside of your IT perimeter. As DLP only protects CAD files in secure environments, you’re putting your precious IP at risk when sharing CAD files directly with project partners. 

3 ways Secude closes the CAD file DLP gaps for AECO

Working alongside your existing DLP solutions, Secude’s file-level security closes these CAD file security gaps, ensuring your CAD files are: 

• Protected for their entire lifetime. Embedded into the CAD file, Secude’s protection lasts for your CAD files’ entire lifetime, so you can still track and control access (i.e. edit or revoke permissions) years after files are shared. 

• Protected from creation. Built into the application layer (instead of the storage level like DLP), Secude encrypts your CAD files and adds data governance as soon as CAD files are generated.
  
  
• Protected when shared externally. Secude’s MPIP sensitivity labels and access controls secures your CAD files when they travel outside of your BIM/CDE environment. 

DLP + Secude = ultimate CAD file protection 

3 reasons why AECO needs DLP & Secude

1. Remain competitive by securing your IP

Your IP is the very essence of your company. It’s what makes you stand out in a crowded AECO market, helps you win tenders and fuels your growth. But if you lose your IP, your secrets are exposed and your competitiveness tanks. 

With your DLP tools & Secude working together, your CAD files are always protected from unauthorized access even if they fall into the wrong hands. As a result, you don’t have to worry about accidental leaks by third-party contractors or a rogue employee downloading data to share with a competitor. 

2. Secure your digital supply chain

In 2025, 35.5% of data breaches involved third-parties. By targeting less-security focused supply chain partners, cyber attackers can infiltrate your BIM/CDE environment or steal files through credential theft. 

With Secude working alongside DLP, your CAD files have lifetime sensitive labels that prevent unauthorized access even if there is a data breach. You can also monitor usage and revoke third-party access at any time (i.e. after an NDA expires or project finishes). 

3. Hold partners accountable for IP leakage

To win contracts, AECO often needs to supply both sensitive and non-sensitive IP data as part of a tendering process. Encrypting these files would make them inaccessible, but leaving them without protection makes the files prone to leakage. 

With Secude working alongside your existing DLP tools, you can improve the security and digital rights of files without encryption using HaloSHARE. By adding discreet and visible watermarking to files in bulk and digitally signing them, you can document who has permission to access files, and also hold partners accountable if files are found to be leaked. 

Example: Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)

AECO uses ACC to manage data and teams across the project lifecycle, but DLP classification rules are incompatible with ACC and ‘break’ the system. Secude’s discreet marking and document signing works seamlessly with ACC, enabling you to trace any data leak and enforce accountability measures. 

DLP & Secude: lifetime IP protection software for AECO

Secude and DLP tools serve different parts of the security journey. DLP tools keep your CAD files secure after data is stored. Secude keeps your CAD files secure before data is stored and when data travels. 

Together, they protect your CAD files (and the IP contained within them) for its lifetime. 

For more information, download our latest white paper: How AECO can protect IP in 2026 without encryption.