Why running Revit in the cloud gives you unparalleled protection 

In this article, we will explain why cloud desktops are the most secure way to work with CAD and BIM applications.

The Most Ridiculous Argument in AEC IT

In the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, many firms still hesitate to move their CAD and BIM workflows to the cloud because of “security concerns.” 

But let’s be blunt: concerns about cloud security simply don’t stand up to serious inspection.

In this article, we’ll show why using Revit in the cloud is in fact far safer than any traditional, on-premises approach. 

A common misconception

In a recent survey with over 500 Revit users, we asked them whether they would consider using the software in the cloud. Among those who weren’t receptive to the idea, security was a common concern. 

One respondent told us: "I think my data is better protected on my laptop, which has a high level of security, rather than out in the cloud."

On the surface, that seems logical—until you realize that a single stolen or misplaced laptop could expose an entire firm's designs and client data.

Another respondent went even further: "[the cloud] isn’t secure enough. You can’t hack a stand-alone PC that isn’t connected to the internet."

This argument sounds convincing too, at least at first glance.

Yes, a completely offline, air-gapped workstation might be untouchable in theory. But in reality, who works like that?

AEC professionals need to collaborate, share files, and access data across multiple locations. As soon as that "stand-alone" machine connects to an external drive, a USB stick, a local network—or just gets stolen—it’s no longer unhackable.

Why cloud-based Revit is safer

Cloud desktops are not just slightly more secure than local workstations and laptops. They’re in an entirely different league. 

This means that if you’re still storing your firm’s designs, BIM models, and sensitive project files on local devices or even in on-premise server rooms, you’re actively choosing a higher-risk setup.

Why?  

• A laptop can be lost, stolen or damaged.
• A workstation in an open office can be accessed by anyone walking by.
• An on-premise server room is only as secure as the people managing it.
• While relatively unlikely, floods, fires or other natural disasters can be catastrophic to firms that store all their files locally. 

By contrast, cloud desktops remove physical risks entirely, adding enterprise-grade security protections that most firms could never replicate on their own.

Cloud desktops also align with the Zero Trust security model—a principle that assumes no device, user, or network should be inherently trusted. Instead of relying on perimeter-based security (like firewalls protecting a local network), cloud security continuously verifies each login, device, and action before granting access.

So let’s stop pretending that this is even a debate.

The real questions AEC firms should be asking are:

• Why are we still relying on local workstations that can be stolen, lost, or mismanaged?
• Why are we spending a fortune on maintaining private server rooms when better security is available in the cloud?
• And why are IT teams making their lives harder when a more secure, scalable, and cost-effective solution already exists?

This guide isn’t just here to prove that cloud desktops are secure. We have also tried to make it jargon-free where possible. 

Our aim here is to completely dismantle the outdated argument that workstations, laptops, or private data rooms could ever be considered "safer" in comparison to the cloud. 

4 Reasons cloud desktops make CAD & BIM more secure than on-premise workstations and data rooms

1. Physical Security: A Wallet vs. A Bank Vault

Think of your firm’s CAD and BIM files like money.

Where would  you prefer to keep them?

• A laptop (equivalent to a wallet—easily lost, stolen, or left behind).
• A workstation (like a cash drawer in a shared office—better, but still accessible).
• A self-managed data room (similar to a home safe—only as good as the locks you put on it).
• Or a cloud desktop (equivalent to a bank vault—multi-layered security, constant monitoring, impossible to physically access).

• With cloud desktops, your data lives in secure, enterprise-grade data centers. They are protected by:Strict, biometric access controls—only authorized personnel can even get close.
• 24/7 surveillance of everything —with AI-driven anomaly detection.
• Redundant disaster protection—to keep your software and data safe from floods, fires, and even major cyberattacks.

In addition to protecting the perimeter of these data centers, Zero Trust principles are applied inside them. No device or system that is assumed to be secure just because it's inside the data center. Every request—whether from a user, application, or system—is continuously verified before access is granted.

Does your company office have the following Zero Trust principles in place?

• Are your workstations turned off by default (this makes them inaccessible)?
• Do your workstations have strict auto shutdown policies (not only to save power)?
• Are all incoming network ports of your workstations blocked?
• Can your users only access their workstations physically (okay, that’s or rhetorical question), cloud desktops can only be accessed programmatically, meaning that users can access their cloud desktops when they have cleared all the necessary security checks - they can’t even let their best buddies log in). 
• Are your workstations completely isolated from other computers in your organization, except for those that belong to the immediate team of collaborators? 

All  of these defenses are available in the cloud. By contrast, few companies can offer this level of protection in their own offices - and even less so when employees are working from home or remotely. 

2. Network Security: Preventing Cyberattacks & Unauthorized Access

One of the biggest security risks in AEC is network exposure. Traditional workstations and laptops connect to:

• Public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and airports—a hacker’s playground.
• Home networks—which often lack business-grade security.
• Office LANs—where malware can spread from one device to another.

A local machine relies entirely on the user’s network security knowledge (or lack thereof). If an employee connects to an unsecured network, a hacker could intercept login credentials, steal files, or even take control of the machine.

Cloud desktops eliminate these risks with the following additional measures: 

Device Authentication – Only Approved Devices Can Connect
Before accessing a remote desktop, the device itself must be pre-approved. This means that, even if a hacker steals a password, they can’t log in from an unapproved device. This means your Revit models and CAD files stay out of reach of attackers, even when credentials are compromised.

End-to-End Encryption – No One Can Spy on Your Data
Every remote session is protected with military-grade encryption. Even if someone tries to intercept the connection, all they’d see is scrambled, unreadable data. Your Revit files, 3D models, and confidential project data are protected every step of the way.

Session Logging & Monitoring – A Security Camera for Remote Access
Every login, every session, and every action is recorded and monitored. If something suspicious happens—like an unusual login attempt—admins can block access instantly.

Bottom Line: Even if employees are working from home, job sites, or public Wi-Fi, these security layers ensure that only authorized users, on authorized devices, can connect—and that all data remains secure, private, and very difficult to breach by hackers.

3. The “Locked Vault” Approach: Separating Provisioning and Access

Most IT systems treat login credentials like a key—if you have it, you can get in.

That’s a massive security flaw.

Cloud desktops don’t just rely on credentials—they separate:

• The provisioning system (starting/stopping the desktop)
• The access system (logging in) to the cloud workstation via a streamer

Even if an attacker somehow steals a user’s login credentials, there are still several layers of protection. 

First, they can’t start the desktop since they don’t have provisioning rights. That’s like knowing a bank vault’s combination but not having access to the vault itself.

Zero Trust enhances this further by implementing adaptive access controls—if login behavior deviates from normal patterns (e.g., logging in from an unusual location), access can be automatically blocked or require additional verification.

This extra layer of protection ensures that even if credentials are compromised, sensitive CAD and BIM data remains locked down.

And the protection goes far beyond this separation between provisioning and access: 

• The provisioning system is running in a different, highly secure and certified datacenter from the access layer. So a complete breach and breakdown of security in one data center means that the cloud desktop is still protected. 
• The provisioning layer and the access layers are protected by a defined security plan, 24 x 7 security monitoring and security checking, and regular penetration testing
• If the access system notices a login from a new device, then an additional security check (email confirmation) is triggered. This means that a hacker needs not only your credentials for the access layer, but also access to your computer or access to your email. 

4. Automated Backups & Disaster Recovery: Security Beyond the Basics

Ask your IT team this: “When was the last time we did a full backup of all CAD and BIM files?”

For many AEC firms, the answer is “weeks ago”—or worse, never.

In the cloud, your Revit and CAD data will be backed up automatically, with structured backups by default. A standard backup policy will look as follows: 

• 4 backups per day—ensuring every recent change is safe.
• Backups stored for 7 days—allowing quick restoration of lost files.
• Long-term backups stored for up to a year—so even months-old work is recoverable.

A lost workstation? A malware attack? No problem—just roll back to a clean state.

The Debate Is Over – But You Have to Remain Vigilant

If your firm is still debating whether to move CAD and BIM workflows to the cloud, ask yourself:

Would you rather store your money in a wallet or a bank vault?

Because if you’re still running your business on local workstations and rented servers, and security is a priority for you, you’ve already made the wrong choice.

That being said, even the most secure system can’t protect against human error. The biggest security risk in any organization is not the technology—it’s the people using it.

• Weak passwords, reused across multiple accounts, are still a leading cause of breaches.
• Phishing attacks continue to trick even experienced professionals into handing over access.
• Unauthorized file sharing can expose sensitive project data outside of secure environments.

Cloud desktops provide enterprise-grade protection, but staying vigilant is critical. Educating your team on basic security hygiene is just as important as choosing the right technology.

Addressing concerns about Revit in the cloud

Security is one of the most common concerns firms have about running Revit in the cloud. But Revit users often raise other issues too:

• What about performance? Is the cloud fast enough for large Revit models?
• What about the internet? What happens when the connection drops?

These are valid concerns, and we address them head-on. Explore the next two key objections: performance concerns and the "fear of the internet"—and see why cloud desktops are not just the most secure, but also the most practical solution.

Read the next article on Revit cloud performance
Read the next article on overcoming internet dependency

The future of AEC is looking cloudier every day. Let’s make sure you’re ready.