Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing information in a collaborative design environment. A host zone includes host zone information handling systems (IHSs) that associate with a business entity such as an integrated circuit design and manufacturing house. The host zone IHSs store host zone confidential information. The method and apparatus also employs a partner zone including partner zone IHSs that associate with another business entities or entities, namely partners of the host business entity. A firewall couples the host zone to the partner zone in a manner which controls the flow of information between the host zone and the partner zone. In one embodiment, the disclosed method and apparatus protects personnel using the partner IHSs from exposure to host zone confidential information. In another embodiment, the disclosed technology permits a user of a host zone IHS to access information in the partner zone to assist the partner or partners with the collaborative design project.