About Passwords and Encryption

Current security requirements are increasing due to the nature and sophistication of the threats encountered online.

Beginning with AutoCAD 2016-based products, the ability to add passwords to drawing files was removed. Instead, we recommend that you purchase an encryption product that meets current industry standards and is updated as needed. For AES symmetric encryption, security experts currently recommend the 256-bit protocol. For RSA asymmetric encryption, they usually recommend the 2048-bit protocol as the minimum for general security and the 4096-bit protocol for internet transactions.

It is recommended that you consider one of the following methods to protect drawing files that contain sensitive information:

• Output the drawing as a PDF file, and add a password to the PDF
• Package the drawing in a ZIP file, and add a password with a secure external utility
• Use a third-party password and encryption utility with, for example, 256-bit AES technology or equivalent
• Protect the drawing behind network permissions
• Protect the drawing behind your cloud provider permissions