Ways to Secure Remote Proctored Online Exams
Exams have evolved rapidly ever since the pandemic as education had to get used to digitalization at a pace no one imagined. There was a massive shift from a physical exam to online exams. A lot of important exams had to be taken online in the past few years.
The History of Online Exams
Online proctoring has been an option for various tests and even courses for quite some time now. The first of these was in the late 90s. Since then, online proctoring has been used to various degrees in the same types of tests and exams.
Today, online proctoring is starting to play a larger role in online education. It’s not just used to administer tests and exams, but it’s also used to deliver the course material, as well.
What is Online Proctoring?
Online proctoring software is a tool that allows students to take tests and exams securely. It’s easy for a student to cheat during exams, and even easier for them to do so online. Online proctoring eliminates the risk that students will cheat. It’s also a great tool for busy students.
Online proctoring can be used to take exams from any location, which eliminates the need for a student to travel for an exam at a scheduled time and place. This article discusses the importance of remote proctored online exams.
Ways to Secure Remote Proctored Online Exams
Proctored exams are online exams that are proctored by a proctor that is not connected to the student. This is a critical component of exam security. It is important for students to take proctored exams to ensure that the student is the only one who saw or is able to access the exam.
In situations where the exam is taken remotely, exam security is even more important. Students must ensure they are taking proctored exams in a secure environment. There are several ways to secure remotely proctored exams:
The most important aspect of any exam security is exam security software. One must ensure that the exams and the answers are not prone to any hacking or leakage of data hence it is important to secure a remote proctored exam. There are two types of exam security software: data encryption and virtual private network (VPN).
Data Encryption
Data encryption software encrypts choice recording devices, such as the webcam, microphone, and screen, while VPN software creates a secure channel between the exam taker and the exam proctor. Data encryption is important because it protects the user from outside entities, such as internet hackers. Hackers can then only see a bunch of binary code, which is much harder to decipher.
Virtual Private Network
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – VPNs create a separate, secure connection between a computer and a network. A VPN provides the highest level of exam security because it is encrypted and cannot be intercepted by a third party. This is the best way to secure remotely proctored exams.
VPN software is important because it secures the connection between the exam taker and the proctor, which is a more important part of exam security. If hackers were to compromise the connection, they would hear only an empty room with no exam takers.