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ETS and PSI: Pioneering Security in IT Certifications

On March 1, 2026, during the IT Certification Council's Spring Member Meeting in New Orleans, both ETS (Educational Testing Service) and PSI (PSI Services LLC) were honored with the prestigious 2026 Innovation Award. This accolade celebrates organizations that demonstrate groundbreaking changes and enhancements within the IT certification landscape. This year's recognition is particularly meaningful as it marks the twelfth presentation of the award, which has previously acknowledged industry giants such as Microsoft, IBM, and the Linux Foundation.

Innovations Leading to Recognition

The Innovation Award criteria stipulate that candidates must have implemented an innovative product, service, or operational process within the past two years that provides substantial value to stakeholders in the IT certification and testing sector. This can range from improving the security of qualification tests to enhancing inclusivity or convenience for test-takers.

ETS and PSI presented a game-changing biometric fraud detection capability specifically designed to thwart a surge in organized impersonation that exploded following the increased demand for remote proctoring since 2020. As remote testing has become more widespread globally, so too have sophisticated networks of professional impersonators, specializing in leveraging loopholes across various platforms to exploit certification opportunities.

A Multifaceted Approach to Test Security

Instead of restricting remote access—which can disadvantage genuine test-takers—ETS and PSI opted for a more robust approach. They integrated a multi-layer biometric verification system directly into their existing test delivery platform. This innovative solution assesses three independent biometric markers: facial recognition, voice recognition, and keystroke dynamics, all enhanced by AI-assisted matching techniques. Furthermore, any flagged potential fraud cases undergo a meticulous double-blind review by human adjudicators before any action is taken, thereby ensuring fairness and thoroughness in their assessment process.

The operational outcomes from these advancements have been striking. The detection time for impersonators plummeted from an average of 64 days to just one day. Additionally, the turnaround time for test score cancellations has dramatically decreased from 109 days to approximately 18 days. This swift enforcement has not only improved operational efficiency but has also significantly reduced instances of impersonation, with cases dropping to less than ten per month across various programs.

Wally Dalrymple, Chief Security Officer at ETS and PSI, emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity within testing programs: "Test security is not merely a feature; it is a foundational commitment for us. As the landscape of remote testing evolved, so did the tactics of organized impersonation. We took proactive steps by deploying a sophisticated, biometric defense system that couples AI capabilities with human expertise to rapidly identify threats. The recognition from ITCC underscores our ongoing mission to preemptively address fraud, thereby safeguarding the interests of legitimate test-takers while upholding the credibility of professional certifications globally."

Acknowledgement from the Industry

Jim Lucari, Chair of ITCC, voiced his appreciation for ETS and PSI’s innovations: "The results achieved by ETS and PSI are indeed impressive. Their commitment to protecting the integrity of the testing process ensures that honest test-takers, credentialing organizations, and the testing industry as a whole can trust the effectiveness of this new approach, which integrates biometrics with human oversight and layered security measures. We are eager to observe the longer-term impact of these advancements on the industry."

About PSI

PSI is committed to navigating and providing assessment solutions in a fast-evolving landscape, delivering over 28 million tests annually backed by superior test-taker experiences and cutting-edge technology. Having established a long-standing reputation in the testing sector, PSI is devoted to maintaining fair and secure testing processes across diverse fields including healthcare, finance, and information technology. Learn more about their offerings at www.psiexams.com.

About ITCC

The IT Certification Council (ITCC) is a nonprofit entity focused on advancing the value of IT certifications across the industry. By supporting its member companies, the ITCC elevates the profile of certification, fosters innovation, enhances exam security, and promotes adherence to best practices throughout the field. Further information can be found at www.itcertcouncil.org.