As more companies move toward a digital environment, wily hackers are increasingly focused on industrial targets and businesses that use programs such as AutoCAD, making cybersecurity for engineering a critical — and essential — element to deterring industrial espionage.
Recently, hackers leveraged a loophole in AutoCAD’s scripting feature, hidden Fast-Load AutoLISP (.fas) modules. Depending on the targeted user’s settings, AutoCAD automatically executes these modules when the project is opened, allowing malware to be subsequently downloaded and activated.
While the maker of AutoCAD, AUTODESK, does provide specific guidance regarding security and virus protection, it does not address fixes for data theft or corruption if malware gets through security measures and is triggered.
Hackers’ increasing interest in industrial targets makes cybersecurity for industrial engineers and designers a critical component of any data protection plan for engineering firms, design firms, architects, manufacturers, government contractors, and any entity dealing with CAD-based drawings.
Cybersecurity for Engineering — Subverting Threats with ECM
Counterfeiting designs and products displaces economic activity and contributes to fiscal losses across the globe that are projected to reach $2.3 trillion by 2022.
Hackers intent on producing counterfeit goods — or selling stolen designs to pirate companies who will produce them — are constantly on the lookout for new ways to access crucial drawings and plans, making cybersecurity for CAD essential.
Not only must CAD designers use common-sense protocols when opening and transferring files, but a larger, more comprehensive security system must be deployed to protect branded or trademarked designs from theft.
That’s where the power of Managed IT, and specifically an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, come into play.
These two services dovetail perfectly to create a protective net of security for companies that typically use AutoCAD and similar software.
While there are many benefits to using these systems for data protection, they have three main components that contribute to document safety and preservation:
1. Secure Document Capture
During the design process, a digital document can pass through many stages — and many inboxes.
ECM allows companies to avoid non-secure paper documents while permitting digital forms or files to be transferred to internal or external users in a completely secure environment.
2. Complete Access Control
Using ECM allows designers to access files when and where they need them — but also provides strict access controls operated by trusted system administrators. Information can be exchanged — and tracked — throughout its lifecycle, with automated reports allowing a detailed view of permissions granted.
3. Critical Compliance for Increased Security
With more data breaches occurring each year, more companies are required to follow global, federal, or state compliance regulations such as the GDPR, DFARS, HIPAA, SOX, and others.
For many contractors, designers, and manufacturers, compliance can be streamlined through the application of a strong Managed IT program that focuses on cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity in general includes assuring the application of patch management and critical updates, security monitoring, antivirus software, automated and redundant backups, and a managed disaster recovery plan.
With a Managed IT program, these elements are coordinated and deployed in a way that minimizes disruption to workflows and assures that the latest security technologies are always in use for optimal data protection.
Let Blue Technologies Ensure Your Designs are Protected
As engineers, designers, and manufacturers you understand the amount of work, physical and intellectual, that goes into the development of product design, whether it be a bridge, building, or a new piece of equipment or technology.
At Blue Technologies, we have the right knowledge to safeguard your intellectual property from the incursions of hackers and other malicious activity to ensure your AutoCAD documents — and, indeed, all your data — is properly secured.
Our compliance teams can create a framework to ensure strict compliance with governing regulations that allow your company to effortlessly adapt to changes in the regulatory landscape as they occur.
Then, using a combination of the latest cybersecurity protocols with a strong and proven ECM program, our team will develop and deploy a powerful framework to capture and store data, manage access, and monitor your system for suspicious activity.
Our cloud-based environment is equipped with the latest security measures and enhanced with a disaster recovery plan that ensures data recovery in the event of theft or loss.
Get the cybersecurity and compliance program your company needs to protect your designs and other intellectual information. Contact a Blue Technologies consultant today to learn how our integrated program can keep your data safe.
