The protection of sensitive 3D CAD data is now a central component of modern development and collaboration processes and is becoming increasingly important in an increasingly digitized and networked industry. To secure valuable design knowledge and intellectual property in the long term, various technological methods are used that specifically protect manufacturing companies against unauthorized access and reverse engineering. KISTERS 3DViewStation offers a comprehensive security concept here: from integrated basic security functions to the highly controllable WebViewer variant, all the way to the proven Intellectual Property Protection for particularly reliable safeguarding of intellectual property.

WebViewer: Security through Centralized Provisioning
The WebViewer version of 3DViewStation offers particular advantages. Unlike most other solutions on the market, which render data in the local browser, it is not possible here to access 3D content from the graphics card. With fully server-side rendering, intellectual property is protected, as no 3D geometries are transmitted to the user’s device—only image and video streams. Even when collaborating with external parties, there is no need to share files. Instead, for example, in response to a request for a quote, remote access is granted solely for the visual exchange of information. This prevents any unauthorized downloading of data. When used as an integration, the leading system controls who has which access rights. Metadata also allows for flexible control over which parts can be edited. This specifically prevents components from being cut. The user interface of the WebViewer version can also be customized so that certain functions are not available to the user.

The 3DViewStation WebViewer version is designed to offer a high degree of control combined with high flexibility, particularly for international development networks, suppliers, or service organizations.

Enhanced Intellectual Property Protection
The Intellectual Property Protection (IPP) option included in 3DViewStation offers additional features for effectively protecting the intellectual property of CAD data. When data sharing is unavoidable, 3DViewStation and the KAS batch tool offer the ability to automatically remove geometries that are not visible from the outside. This optimization goes completely unnoticed by the recipient—they receive a fully functional 3D dataset that meets their requirements but does not reveal any sensitive or value-added design know-how.

Automatic obfuscation of 3D geometries
The automatic obfuscation of 3D geometries enables systematic modifications such as changing wall thicknesses or transforming radii into polygons. In addition, geometric simplification can be employed: The level of detail in the 3D CAD data is specifically reduced—for example, by simplifying complex geometries or reducing the number of polygons. This is intended to make the subsequent reconstruction of sensitive design details significantly more difficult. Another method is the targeted removal of features and specific details. Deleting individual elements results in a simplified model that allows fewer inferences to be drawn about the original design. In addition to the security aspect, these methods also lead to a reduction in file size and model complexity, faster loading times, and reduced storage consumption.

Additional tips for secure collaboration with sensitive 3D data
For the secure exchange of sensitive data, it is generally recommended to use a secure platform that provides features such as encryption, differentiated access controls, and other security mechanisms. Web clients of various PLM systems, for example, enable controlled and traceable collaboration. Last but not least, the choice of file format is also crucial. Common formats such as STEP allow for the storage of exact geometric data (BREP), while triangulated data in formats like JT or STEP-tesselated offer additional options for controlled data sharing. It is very time-consuming to use reverse engineering to generate BREP data—and thus production-ready data—from this data.

Integrate partners and suppliers into processes in a controlled, efficient, and secure manner
KISTERS 3DViewStation thus makes an important contribution to the protection of intellectual property and supports the secure, cross-company exchange of 3D data. Absolute protection against misuse can never be fully guaranteed, but the unauthorized extraction of valuable know-how is made significantly more difficult. At the same time, the solution helps manufacturers integrate partners and suppliers into their processes in a controlled, efficient, and secure manner.

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