Knomi® from Aware, Inc. will ensure PeopleCert – which delivers millions of exams in over 200 countries and territories – is safe from fraud through the company’s mobile biometric authentication framework.

PeopleCert’s Know Your Customer identity validation process, which seeks to prevent people from using fake and proxy identities during tests, will use the solution as it continues to combine ID verification with face and voice biometrics.

“Unfortunately, it can be far too easy for an expert test-taker to sit in and take an exam for someone else, which is a deceitful and illegal practice known as ‘proxy testing’,” said Craig Herman, CRO at Aware, Inc.

“The use of proxy testing has increased due to online exams, e-learning and online certifications which in turn, causes the risk to increase.

“This problem, whether online or in-person, can seriously impact test validity. If not stopped, it means someone can pass a test without having the requisite skills, knowledge and experience – which in the worst case scenario can be very dangerous.”

Other companies have integrated security solutions, especially during and since the Covid-19 pandemic, when many testing providers announced at-home solutions as a result of global lockdowns.

In the summer of 2023, The PIE News reported that Pearson revoked some of its online English language exam results following cheating suspicions.

The Knomi® framework will verify individuals intending to take an online proctored exam offered by PeopleCert.

Password English Language Testing was one provider to delay launching an at-home test due to security concerns before announcing its Password Skills Plus tests, together with Examity, in late 2022. Other providers – such as ETS and iTEP – launched remote tests at the height of the pandemic.

Other concerns have come to light as technology is quickly advancing.

Cybersecurity experts warned last year that generative AI is being used in attempted attacks on digital English tests. There are also widespread concerns around the availability of fake English language certificates being offered to prospective students online.

“Biometric authentication is an unsurpassed measure to prevent and catch proxy testing in several ways,” said Suzy Gunn, chief operating officer for PeopleCert.

“The technology can also assist in flagging the presence of a single proxy test taker who may be taking multiple exams or pretending to be different people”

“Biometric data can be gathered upon registration and checked as part of the exam onboarding and exam delivery. Or, biometrics can be used to crossmatch a test taker to their identity document, ensuring the person sitting the test is the legitimate test-taker.

“The technology can also assist in flagging the presence of a single proxy test taker who may be taking multiple exams or pretending to be different people.”

Testing providers hold exam security in paramount importance, which is no different for PeopleCert, Gunn added.

“Biometric authentication is one of many steps and tools that PeopleCert use to maintain security, trust and credibility.”