When it comes to validating skills and expertise, keeping a certification rigorous and credible—especially in a remote format—is a real challenge.
In this context, the International Security Certification Board (ISCB)—a certification body with an accreditation scheme that is unique worldwide—took on that challenge and found in SMOWL the solution that enabled it to grow without sacrificing trust in its results.
The challenge: maintaining rigor in digital assessments
ISCB certifies security professionals, a field where exam integrity is critical.
Before adopting its current solution, ISCB was already using a proctoring tool. Even so, it continued to face common issues in online testing:
- Fraud risks, such as accessing unauthorized materials during exams or attempts at identity impersonation
- Limited reach, making it harder to serve candidates in different locations while maintaining consistent standards
- Regulatory and accreditation requirements, which demanded clear, auditable controls for remote supervision
In addition, while candidates preferred digital exams because they save time and travel, the user experience could be impacted by technical hurdles during setup and by the need for guidance during early sessions.
Why SMOWL was the right choice
Valentina Romero, ISCB’s Commercial Director and the person responsible for managing the tool, explains that the decision came down to the fact that SMOWL met ISCB’s requirements—and, importantly, the requirements of the accreditation oversight body as well.
That recommendation was decisive: add additional monitoring to further minimize risk.
One of the key capabilities that made the difference was SMOWL PRO, which enables supervision using an external camera.
This option increased the rigor of exam sessions and strengthened confidence in the results issued by ISCB.
Practical implementation: steps and best practices
Implementation was handled by ISCB’s internal team, led by Valentina. The main steps included:
- Enabling SMOWL PRO and external-camera monitoring, following the accreditation oversight recommendation to reduce impersonation and unauthorized material risks.
- Configuring the platform to match the specific needs of each assessment activity; ISCB especially valued how easy it was to adapt SMOWL to its processes.
- Creating candidate support materials. ISCB developed a step-by-step guide explaining how to install the browser extension, connect the external camera, and what to expect from monitoring.
- Providing technical assistance during the initial phase. The ISCB team supports test-takers to ensure proper installation and understanding before exam day.
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Results: broader reach, greater trust, stronger compliance
Adopting SMOWL PRO delivered clear, measurable benefits across several areas:
Exam integrity and trust in results
External-camera supervision and SMOWL’s tools significantly reduced fraud risks tied to unauthorized materials and identity impersonation—helping ISCB increase confidence in the certifications it issues.
100% online exams and expanded reach
SMOWL made it possible to deliver fully online exams without compromising rigor, allowing ISCB to reach candidates in many locations and meet strong user demand for remote testing due to time and travel constraints.
Regulatory and accreditation compliance
The solution meets industry and accreditation oversight expectations by providing the traceability and controls required for compliance and regulatory requirements.
Operational improvements
Valentina highlights how easy the software is to configure and how clear the proctoring reports are—making review simpler for examiners and supporting decision-making during evaluation.
Greater professional value
By ensuring secure, high-quality assessments, ISCB helps its certifications retain their value for professionals—strengthening the organization’s reputation.
Key takeaways and practical recommendations
ISCB’s experience offers useful guidance for organizations considering remote proctoring:
- Create clear, accessible support materials. Step-by-step guides reduce friction. ISCB’s instructions were essential to adoption.
- Offer early-stage support. Many candidates need help installing the extension and understanding how the tools work. Hands-on support during the first experience increases acceptance.
- Invest time in configuration. The platform offers many features; it can feel complex at first, but proper setup and pre-testing make ongoing use much easier. As Valentina puts it: “At first it’s a bit complex to understand and manage because there are so many features, but it becomes easy.”
- Communicate transparently. Explaining in advance what will be monitored—and why—helps build trust with candidates.
Feedback from the team and users
Candidates appreciate the ability to take exams online primarily because it saves time and travel, but they often need technical guidance early on.
Within ISCB, the ability to tailor SMOWL to different assessment activities and the clarity of the reports are especially valued, because they support examiners’ work and decision-making during review.
“SMOWL is a solid and reliable tool. With SMOWL we’ve been able to offer 100% online assessments that maintain the rigor and confidence required for our certifications.”
Valentina Romero, ISCB’s Commercial Director
Institutional impact and what’s next
In addition to operating an accreditation scheme that is unique worldwide and holding recognition from government entities, ISCB has strengthened its ability to standardize processes and professionalize the industry.
Integrating SMOWL is part of that strategy: expanding reach, ensuring reliable processes, and meeting accreditation requirements.
While adoption has already delivered clear benefits, ISCB continues to refine its support materials and technical guidance to further improve the candidate experience and ensure maximum validity for its certifications.
Conclusion
ISCB’s experience shows that, with careful implementation and strong candidate support materials, advanced remote proctoring can combine accessibility with rigor in remote assessments.
When used well, technology not only minimizes risk and supports compliance—it also expands access to high-quality certifications.
For ISCB, SMOWL isn’t just a tool; it’s a strategic partner that enables growth without compromising the trust at the core of its certification mission.
If your organization also wants to strengthen the integrity of your certifications or exams, request a free demo of our software.
