SolidWorks is a computer-aided design (CAD) application used to create and manage 3D parts, assemblies, drawings, and related design data. In manufacturing environments, these files often contain proprietary dimensions, tolerances, materials, and revision history, making them a detailed record of how a product is built.
In cyber security, SolidWorks data is valuable because it can expose intellectual property and product implementation details. Attackers may steal or encrypt files such as .sldprt, .sldasm, and .slddrw, then use them for extortion, cloning, or competitive advantage. Defenders reduce risk by segmenting engineering repositories, limiting access by role, protecting backups, and monitoring for unusual file transfers or mass access to CAD systems.