For many organizations, engineering data is among the most valuable information they manage. CAD files, product designs, bills of materials, revision history, and related documentation all play a critical role in how products are developed, manufactured, maintained, and improved.
That makes security more than an IT concern. It is a business requirement.
With Autodesk Vault™ 2027, Autodesk has added support for operation in FIPS 140-2 mode, helping organizations meet government, industry, or internal security requirements that mandate the use of FIPS-approved cryptography.
For teams working in regulated industries, government contracting, defense, infrastructure, utilities, manufacturing, or any environment with strict cybersecurity standards, this is an important step forward.
FIPS stands for Federal Information Processing Standards. FIPS 140-2 is a U.S. government standard that defines security requirements for cryptographic modules. In simple terms, FIPS mode helps ensure that approved encryption, hashing, signing, and secure communication methods are used.
When FIPS mode is enabled, non-compliant cryptographic algorithms and key lengths are disabled. Vault then operates using FIPS-approved cryptographic methods where supported, such as approved TLS ciphers, AES, and SHA-256.
For organizations that must prove compliance with security requirements, this matters. It provides a clearer path for using Autodesk Vault in environments where cryptographic standards are not optional.
Autodesk Vault is often the central system for managing engineering design data. It controls access to CAD files, tracks revisions, manages lifecycle states, supports check-in and check-out workflows, and helps teams maintain a single source of truth for product or project information.
But as Vault becomes more central to engineering operations, security expectations increase.
Organizations may need to demonstrate that the systems managing sensitive engineering data align with internal cybersecurity policies, customer requirements, federal contracting obligations, or industry-specific compliance standards.
FIPS mode support helps address those needs by allowing Vault Server and Vault Client to function in environments where FIPS-compliant cryptography is required.
That can be especially relevant for organizations working with controlled technical information, sensitive infrastructure data, proprietary product designs, or customer-mandated security standards.
FIPS mode support for Vault is not simply a setting inside the Vault application. It depends on the broader environment.
According to the Autodesk feature content, FIPS mode support requires the following versions or higher:
This is an important point for organizations planning an upgrade. If FIPS mode is part of your security roadmap, the conversation should include not only Vault, but also your server operating system, SQL Server environment, client workstations, integrations, and deployment standards.
Enabling FIPS mode should be treated as a planned configuration change, not a quick switch.
Because FIPS mode affects authentication, secure communication, and other features that rely on cryptography, organizations should test thoroughly before enabling it in a production environment. Applications or integrations that do not support FIPS-compliant algorithms may fail to connect or operate correctly after FIPS mode is enabled.
Before enabling FIPS mode for Vault, teams should review several areas:
First, confirm that the operating systems hosting Vault Server and Vault Client machines are configured to support FIPS mode. In Windows environments, this is commonly controlled through Group Policy or a registry setting.
Second, confirm that SQL Server supports FIPS mode and that any encrypted SQL communication uses FIPS-validated TLS/SSL configurations.
Third, review third-party integrations, job extensions, connectors, custom applications, and any other tools that connect to Vault. These components may need to be updated or validated before FIPS mode is enabled.
The goal is to avoid a situation where Vault itself is ready, but a connected workflow breaks because another component is not FIPS-capable.
Another key consideration is consistency.
Vault Client uses the Windows FIPS policy on the client machine, while Vault Server is typically controlled by the underlying Windows FIPS policy on the server. If FIPS mode is enabled on one side but not the other, connection or authentication issues may occur.
That means organizations should think beyond the server room.
Client workstations, engineering users, remote users, and any machines running Vault-connected applications may need to be included in the rollout plan. A controlled deployment, proper testing, and clear communication with users can help reduce disruption.
Once FIPS mode is enabled and systems are restarted, testing should include more than a simple login.
At minimum, organizations should verify that users can log in to Vault Client, perform normal check-in and check-out operations, search for files, and complete common workflow steps. Server-side testing should include key ADMS operations and a review of ADMS and IIS logs for authentication or communication errors.
For teams with custom workflows, the test plan should also include job processor tasks, automation, integrations, connectors, reporting tools, and any processes that depend on Vault data.
This is where a structured implementation approach becomes valuable. FIPS mode support can help strengthen compliance alignment, but it should be implemented in a way that protects productivity and avoids unnecessary downtime.
The addition of FIPS mode support in Autodesk Vault 2027 reflects a broader reality: engineering data management and cybersecurity are increasingly connected.
Companies are no longer just asking whether their data is organized. They are asking whether it is secure, controlled, auditable, and aligned with the requirements of their customers and industry.
For Vault users, FIPS mode support provides another tool for meeting those expectations. It helps organizations continue using Vault as a trusted engineering data management platform while aligning with stricter cryptographic standards.
Upgrading to Autodesk Vault 2027 and enabling FIPS mode may involve more than a standard software update. It may require evaluating your current Vault environment, operating systems, SQL Server configuration, client machines, integrations, and security policies.
Hagerman & Company can help.
With more than 40 years of Autodesk experience, Hagerman helps organizations implement, configure, upgrade, and support Autodesk Vault environments that align with real business and technical requirements. Our team takes a consultative approach, helping you understand not only what a new feature does, but how it fits into your workflows, compliance needs, and long-term data management strategy.
If your organization is planning for Vault 2027, evaluating FIPS requirements, or looking for a more secure foundation for engineering data management, Hagerman can help you determine the right path forward.