Last updated: August 01, 2026.

Introduction

This document answers frequently asked questions we receive about our data protection practices and compliance program for the Subscription Entitlement Service (SES). We aim to give you clear and transparent information so that you can evaluate our offerings.

In this document, “Bentley”, “we” and “us” mean Bentley Systems, Incorporated and its controlled affiliates.

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Bentley licensing and user management

Security, privacy and data protection

Bentley operates a global privacy compliance program which complies with applicable data protection laws and regulations, is managed by a dedicated team of privacy professionals, and is independently audited as part of Bentley’s ISO 27701 Privacy Information Management Systems certification. Learn more Privacy Statement and Trust Centre.

Use of cloud technology

Our licensing and user management use cloud technology. Our cloud offerings are designed with the best operational practices and robust controls to deliver compliance you can rely on.

We partner with leading cloud service providers, so that you benefit from data centers and network architecture built to satisfy stringent industry standards and country-specific requirements. You may view our compliance documentation, including SOC and ISO accreditations and third-party audit reports on our Trust Centre.

Bentley user registration and sign-in

To enhance security for us and our users, we require user registration.

Registration is required to use the Subscription Entitlement Service (described below), to qualify for the Earned Value Discount, and to take advantage of ProjectWise Connection Services, Adaptive Learning Services, and Personal Mobility.

The data required to register is: name, email address, organization (company name), and country. Individual users may choose to complete additional optional fields, such as profession.

The most efficient mechanism of registering users is federation with your organization’s identity provider. Alternatively, administrators can facilitate user registration in our User Management.

Bentley licensing administration services

We document our support for licensing administration services in our Support Policy.

Subscription Entitlement Service

Subscription Entitlement Service is our next-generation license management, empowering users and enterprises to maximize the value of their Bentley investment. It provides improved administrative capabilities, such as near real-time usage monitoring, custom license alert notifications, and user-level license management.

Users will sign in to activate their applications, eliminating activation keys and resulting in more secure administration and faster onboarding of new users. Subscription Entitlement Service is globally available and embedded in new releases of Bentley CONNECT Edition applications (desktop and cloud services). Applications will feature a “CL” in the product version name within Software Downloads.

Usage information collected via the service captures the following data:

• User ID (System Identifier for email address provided with user registration)
• Bentley Application Product ID
• Bentley Application Product Version Number
• Organization ID
• Project ID (if applicable)
• Country
• Windows Machine Name
• Windows Account User Name
• Usage Type (e.g. Production or Trial)
• Bentley Application Start and End Time/Date

SELECTserver (Hosted)

Hosted in Microsoft Azure, SELECTserver Hosted uses our legacy licensing technology (activation keys). No user sign-in is required, but only older versions (Non-“CL”) are supported.

• Bentley Application Product ID
• Bentley Application Product Version Number
• Windows Machine Name
• Windows Account User Name
• Activation Key
• Project ID (if applicable)
• Usage Type (e.g. production or trial)
• Bentley Application Start and End Time/Date
• SELECTserver identification of hosted server (SELECTserver serial number, version)

SELECTserver (Deployed)

Hosted on premises within an account, SELECTserver Deployed is our oldest license management technology.

• Product ID
• Product Version Number
• Windows Machine Name
• SELECT site ID
• Activation Key
• Hash Machine Name
• Hash User Name
• SELECTserver identification info (SELECTserver serial number, version)
• Max usage statistics (processed data)

Secure storage of personal data

We use a combination of technology, physical security, and process controls to help protect personal data from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. You may view our compliance documentation, including SOC and ISO accreditations and third-party audit reports on our Trust Centre.

Cross-border transfer of personal data

We are a global company and transfer your personal data across national borders in compliance with the laws that apply to that data.

To learn more about our data transfer practices, please read our Privacy Statement.