In the world of critical infrastructure, trust is the invisible foundation upon which everything is built. Secure cloud collaboration platforms like ProjectWise and geotechnical information management solutions like OpenGround are now essential for meeting federal data security and compliance requirements. Owners trust delivery teams to design and construct assets that will serve communities for decades. Project teams—often distributed across companies, geographies, and disciplines—rely on digital collaboration to stay aligned. And at the center of it all is project data: models, documents, schedules, and records that must remain secure, accurate, and accessible throughout the asset lifecycle.
Protecting this information is not just an IT requirement—it is fundamental to project success, regulatory compliance, and public safety.
That is why a recent milestone for Bentley’s ProjectWise and OpenGround are so significant. ProjectWise’s core design integration services and OpenGround have achieved Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization, sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
This achievement enables U.S. federal agencies to use ProjectWise in the cloud—something that was not previously possible. Additionally, U.S. federal agencies and their partners can now adopt OpenGround to modernize and strengthen geotechnical data-centric workflows for crucial infrastructure programs, all within a secure, compliant, cloud-based environment. And while FedRAMP authorization applies to a defined service scope, it represents a major step forward in Bentley’s commitment to security, governance, and trust.
What is FedRAMP—and why does it matter?
FedRAMP is a U.S. government program that standardizes how cloud services are assessed, authorized, and continuously monitored for security. For any cloud platform to be purchased and used by U.S. federal agencies, FedRAMP authorization is mandatory.
FedRAMP authorization is a critical requirement for any cloud collaboration software used in federal infrastructure projects. Achieving it requires an extensive, independent security assessment conducted by a certified third party assessment organization (3PAO), covering hundreds of security controls across areas such as access management, encryption, incident response, personnel security, and physical safeguards.
For ProjectWise, this process validated that its core design integration services meet one of the most rigorous cloud security frameworks in use today—specifically for federal use. The same applies to OpenGround.
Most importantly, without FedRAMP, federal agencies simply cannot procure cloud services. With this authorization now in place, they can.
How FedRAMP enables secure cloud collaboration for federal agencies
The most direct and significant outcome of this milestone is for U.S. federal organizations.
With FedRAMP authorization:
- Federal agencies can now adopt ProjectWise Design Integration and OpenGround in the cloud.
- Lengthy, duplicative security reviews at the agency level can be avoided.
- Infrastructure teams can modernize collaboration while meeting federal security mandates.
This is a major step forward for secure cloud collaboration in federal infrastructure project delivery. FedRAMP authorization enables agencies and their delivery partners to move beyond on premises constraints and take advantage of secure cloud based collaboration—supporting complex, data intensive infrastructure programs more efficiently.
What FedRAMP authorization means for contractors and infrastructure partners
For contractors, engineering firms, and delivery partners working with U.S. federal owners—or on federally funded programs—ProjectWise and OpenGround’s FedRAMP authorization remove a critical barrier to cloud adoption.
Teams can now:
- Collaborate with federal clients in an authorized cloud environment.
- Participate more easily in federally funded and regulated programs.
- Reduce risk and delay associated with security approval processes.
In these contexts, FedRAMP authorization is not just a compliance checkbox—it is an operational enabler that allows teams to work together digitally while meeting federal requirements from day one.
Why continuous security monitoring is critical in FedRAMP compliance
Another defining aspect of FedRAMP is its emphasis on continuous monitoring. Authorization is not a one time event—it requires ongoing assessments, vulnerability management, and compliance reporting within the authorized system boundary.
This reinforces an important principle: cloud security is not static. It must evolve alongside threats, technologies, and delivery models.
Within its FedRAMP authorized scope, ProjectWise Design Integration and OpenGround are now subject to this continuous oversight—ensuring that security remains rigorously maintained over time for federal users.
Building secure, compliant infrastructure delivery with ProjectWise and OpenGround
Achieving FedRAMP authorization is both a milestone and a signal.
It is a milestone because it enables U.S. federal agencies to use ProjectWise and OpenGround in the cloud—opening the door to more connected, collaborative, and efficient digital delivery.
And it is a signal that Bentley is serious about trust, security, and long term investment in the platforms that support the world’s most critical infrastructure.
As infrastructure programs become more complex, more connected, and more data driven, trust in the digital foundation matters more than ever. This achievement reinforces Bentley’s commitment to supporting that trust so organizations can focus on what matters most: delivering resilient infrastructure for the communities they serve.
