For decades, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries have wrestled with the same deeply entrenched issues: siloed workflows, outdated documentation, inconsistent data, and limited visibility across project teams. And while powerful new tools have emerged, the industry’s slow adoption of these solutions has allowed inefficiencies to continue to delay schedules, drive up costs, and chip away at customer confidence in the process.
But for those working in the public sector, those challenges are only magnified. Designing and building for government means working under heavier scrutiny, tighter constraints, and higher stakes. The expectations are evolving, the demands are intensifying, and the room for error is shrinking fast.
Fortunately, a new generation of advanced tools is empowering public sector teams to meet these challenges head-on—bringing clarity to complexity, streamlining collaboration, and unlocking the potential for smarter, more secure project delivery.
In a recent webinar entitled, “Using Autodesk for Government for Secure and Efficient Projects in the Cloud,” Jeff Schad, Demand Generation Manager at TD SYNNEX Public Sector, led a discussion with Jason Kunkel, Senior Practice Manager for AEC at CADD Microsystems, an ARKANCE company and other industry leaders in government design, construction, and digital transformation, to explore how purpose-built cloud solutions are helping government agencies navigate rising demands, meet compliance standards, and modernize their workflows – without compromising security or efficiency.
High stakes, higher standards
In today’s public sector, complexity isn’t just a byproduct of big projects – it’s baked into the process. New cybersecurity risks, evolving federal mandates, and increasingly rigid compliance frameworks are raising the bar for what it takes to deliver government-funded infrastructure. And for AEC teams, the pressure is on.
“Bad actors pose new security threats…cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and their tactics are constantly evolving.” –Jason Kunkel
“Agencies and contractors are facing more regulations and standards that they need to comply with to ensure that their systems and data are secure,” explained Kunkel. “The consequences of noncompliance can be severe, resulting in reputational damage, financial penalties, and even legal action.”
Adding to the challenge is a surge in cybersecurity threats. As government projects grow more data-intensive, they become prime targets for sophisticated cyberattacks. “Bad actors pose new security threats,” explained Kunkel. “Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and their tactics are constantly evolving.”
And the bar keeps rising. “As new regulations and standards are introduced,” he continued, “the requirements for compliance are becoming more extensive. This means that organizations need to have more robust security measures in place to meet these requirements.”
“What is needed is a tool that has the security and controls required at the government level, combined with the features and functionality that allow data, files, and project management controls to be easily accessed by specific, identified individuals working on that project.” –Jason Kunkel
Meeting these expectations requires more than just good intentions – it demands purpose-built tools that balance security with usability. According to Kunkel, “What is needed is a tool that has the security and controls required at the government level, combined with the features and functionality that allow data, files, and project management controls to be easily accessed by specific, identified individuals working on that project.”
Smarter tools for safer projects
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and federal mandates evolve, agencies need tools that help them protect sensitive data, demonstrate regulatory alignment, and keep teams coordinated – without overcomplicating workflows. FedRAMP Moderate Authorized AEC cloud solutions like Autodesk for Government include a range of features that can help teams mitigate these challenges.
For example, one of the core tools within Autodesk for Government is Autodesk Docs for Government, which allows teams to organize and manage files with folder-level permissions. According to Kunkel, “It lets teams control access to sensitive project files.” This kind of granular access control can help teams reduce the risk of unauthorized file sharing and human error, which are two of the most common sources of data breaches.
Moving data to the cloud also helps eliminate potential vulnerabilities associated with traditional infrastructure. “One of the advantages is that moving data to the cloud is going to help remove the need for on-premises storage solutions and VPNs, reducing infrastructure costs, lowering exposure, and making project data more accessible from anywhere,” explained Kunkel. By shifting to a secure, cloud-based environment, public works teams reduce reliance on systems that require constant manual maintenance and can be prone to outdated security protocols.
Together, these tools—backed by FedRAMP Moderate authorization—can help public sector AEC teams strengthen their cybersecurity posture, support compliance with evolving mandates, and coordinate more effectively across increasingly complex projects.
For model-based workflows, Autodesk for Government also includes BIM Collaborate Pro for Government, which incorporates structured collaboration and model-sharing features. According to Kunkel, “It allows for controlled and structured data exchange, helping different teams understand who is responsible for each part of the design process. And most critically, it centralizes the data for your users – giving access across teams on a schedule that you can then manage.”
Centralizing models in one secure environment and allowing teams to control access helps minimize the risks associated with outdated project files circulating across departments and helps reduce confusion by keeping the entire project team aligned on the most current, secure information.
Together, these tools—backed by FedRAMP Moderate authorization—can help public sector AEC teams strengthen their cybersecurity posture, support compliance with evolving mandates, and coordinate more effectively across increasingly complex projects.
