WORKSHOP
“Digital Thread & Data Security:
Protecting IP & Ensuring Traceability from Design to Production”
We bring together leading academic scientists and researchers!
November 18th, 2026 1pm - 5pm
Scope of the event
As additive and hybrid manufacturing becomes more digitally integrated, safeguarding intellectual property (IP) and ensuring data traceability throughout the production lifecycle are critical. The concept of the “digital thread” links design, simulation, production, and inspection, creating a continuous, auditable flow of information.
This workshop explores strategies for securing proprietary designs, managing sensitive manufacturing data, and maintaining regulatory and quality compliance. Participants will learn about digital twins, blockchain-enabled traceability, cybersecurity protocols, and standards for IP protection in advanced manufacturing environments.
Academic experts will present frameworks for data governance, traceability, and cybersecurity in industrial AM workflows. Industry leaders will showcase real-world solutions for protecting designs and ensuring secure production pipelines. Policy and standards representatives will discuss regulatory expectations, international harmonization, and best practices for safeguarding digital manufacturing ecosystems.
The goal of this workshop is to equip engineers, IT professionals, industrial managers, and policymakers with actionable strategies to protect sensitive manufacturing data, maintain compliance, and enhance trust in digitally connected production networks.
Key Takeaways & Outputs
- Understanding the digital thread from design to finished product
- Strategies for IP protection in additive and hybrid manufacturing
- Cybersecurity protocols and secure data management
- Traceability and auditability for regulatory compliance
- Standards, certification frameworks, and cross-industry harmonization
- Practical case studies demonstrating secure production pipelines
Agenda & Speakers
13:00–13:05 — Introduction & Workshop Objectives
Organizer
- Overview of the digital thread and its role in additive manufacturing
- Importance of IP protection, data security, and traceability
- Workshop objectives: clarity, actionable guidance, and strategic alignment
13:05–13:35 — Digital Thread Fundamentals & Workflow Integration
Speaker (Academy):
N.N.
- Principles of the digital thread and digital twin in AM
- Linking design, simulation, production, and inspection
- Data flow, traceability, and lifecycle transparency
- Benefits for efficiency, quality, and regulatory compliance
13:35–14:05 — Intellectual Property Protection & Secure Design Transfer
Speaker (Academia):
N.N.
- IP risks in 3D printing and hybrid manufacturing
- Secure design sharing, encryption, and licensing frameworks
- Preventing unauthorized replication and counterfeiting
- Balancing accessibility with protection in collaborative workflows
14:05–14:35 — Cybersecurity in Additive Manufacturing
Speaker (Academia):
N.N.
- Cyber threats in digitally connected manufacturing
- Best practices for secure networks, cloud storage, and IoT-enabled equipment
- Real-world cases of AM cybersecurity incidents
- Strategies for proactive risk mitigation and resilience
14:35–14:45 — Break
14:45–15:15 — Industrial Implementation of Secure Digital Workflows
Industry Speaker: N.N.
- Practical deployment of digital thread frameworks
- Audit trails, version control, and production monitoring
- Ensuring IP security while maintaining efficiency and scalability
- Lessons learned from aerospace, automotive, and medical sectors
15:15–15:45 — Standards, Certification & Regulatory Alignment
Speaker (Academia/Industry):
Representative, ISO/ASTM Additive Manufacturing Committee
- Standards for data traceability and cybersecurity in AM
- Regulatory requirements for auditability and IP protection
- Harmonization across industries and international boundaries
- Compliance strategies for industrial adoption
15:45–16:15 — Emerging Technologies & Future Trends
Speaker (Academia/Industry):
N.N.
- Blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for secure manufacturing
- AI-driven monitoring and anomaly detection
- Integration with hybrid and multi-material AM platforms
- Roadmap for future digital thread and IP protection solutions
15:15–16:55 — Panel Discussion & Strategic Alignment
All Speakers + Moderator
- Balancing IP protection with collaboration and innovation
- Ensuring traceability and auditability in multi-site production
- Emerging cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies
- Recommendations for policy, standardization, and industrial best practices
Concluding remarks
Registration
Deadlines:
Early-Bird: until July 15th, 2026
Registration : until September 5th, 2026
The registration takes place online by filling out the form.
The registration and access to the virtual room for workshop is effective only if the fees payment has been confirmed.
Please note that INVIRTA MEMBERS can purchase all our workshops and services with 10% discount . If you desire to get more information on our membership please press here .
Prices* :
Industry: 150 € (early bird**: 125 €)
Academy: 125 € (early bird**: 100 €)
Students***: 90 € (early bird**: 75 €)
* Note that prices are subject to VAT (for European countries, except Germany, provide the VAT number of your organisation to be within the VAT reverse framework payment).
** Until November 15th, 2020
*** Copy of the registration certificate (Ph.D, undergraduates)
Special price offers for Workshop packages
Our Workshop packages are valid for any workshops offered by our academy and can be used anytime. If you want to use one of our packages press here.
