File Protection

MicroStation's file protection functionality enables you to restrict access to the contents of a DGN file. File protection can be used in several ways, from simple password-protection to digital rights enforcement. MicroStation uses encryption to protect a DGN file. A protected DGN file is inaccessible to unauthorized people even if they hold a copy of the file. Authorized users are identified by digital certificates.

Before opening a protected DGN file, MicroStation authenticates the user and applies the assigned rights by allowing only digitally signed tools and MDL applications that have been identified by the file author as rights-compliant to operate on the file.

The cryptography and digital certificate mechanisms upon which MicroStation's file protection capabilities are based are widely used and trusted in Internet-based systems. Furthermore, MicroStation's implementation integrates smoothly with the security mechanisms of Microsoft Windows.