The Silent Risk in Additive Manufacturing: How to Protect Your Digital IP

Additive manufacturing (AM) has digitised how we design, produce, and deliver high-value parts. But this digital advantage comes with a critical vulnerability: intellectual property (IP) theft and cyber risk.

Whether you’re producing aerospace components or medical devices, your designs and process data are your competitive edge. And yet, across the industry, these digital assets remain surprisingly exposed.

Let’s explore where the risks lie - and how to protect your IP without sacrificing efficiency or innovation.

Digital Workflows = Digital Risk

In traditional manufacturing, physical controls (locked doors, restricted access) provided a natural barrier to IP loss. But AM flips the script - design files, build parameters, sensor data, and material traceability are all now digital by default.

This opens up multiple points of entry for cyber attackers or accidental data leakage:

• File sharing through unsecured drives or email

• Disconnected machines and post-processing tools

• Lack of access control or audit trails

• Inconsistent or manual workflow tracking

Without robust digital safeguards, these weak spots can compromise both product quality and organisational reputation.

Why IP Is the New Currency

In AM, the value isn’t just in the part - it’s in the data behind it.

That includes:

• CAD and STL files

• Build orientations and supports

• Process parameters

• Material usage records

• Sensor and compliance data

That data doesn’t just define a part - it defines your competitive edge. And for sectors working with sensitive designs or strict compliance requirements, IP protection is non-negotiable.

Common Gaps in AM Security

Many additive systems and workflows weren’t built with security in mind. In fact, most still operate on legacy software or disconnected platforms, making it difficult to:

• Control who accesses what

• Track file changes

• Maintain secure chains of custody

• Meet regulatory or audit standards

It’s no surprise that a lack of built-in cybersecurity remains a top barrier to broader digital integration and outsourcing in AM.

The Authentise Approach: Security by Design

At Authentise, we embed security directly into the workflow. Our Manufacturing Execution System for Additive acts as a digital backbone - not only tracking every part of the process, but also maintaining full access control and traceability.

🔐 Key protections include:

• Role-based access to digital files and workflows

• Automatic audit trails for every file, user, and machine interaction

• Centralised control over devices, data, and documentation

• Seamless integration of external data (e.g., sensors, test results) into a secure digital thread

This isn’t cybersecurity as an afterthought - it’s built in from the start!

Want More Control Over Your AM Data?

For organisations that need more than just security, our Digital Thread solution enables intent capture - preserving the why behind every design decision, change, and result. This provides unmatched traceability and accountability across the lifecycle of each part.

Further Reading: Managing Data Security

Protect What Makes You Competitive

Your IP is your product. If your workflow leaves it vulnerable, it’s time to act.

Talk to our team to learn how Authentise can help you lock down your data, increase trust, and meet the highest compliance standards - without slowing down production.