The Chromebook Lockdown solution allows Inspera Assessment to securely deliver high-stakes tests on Chromebooks. It uses Chrome OS’s Kiosk Mode to create a locked-down environment, ensuring test-takers can only access the test and essential functions, preventing access to other applications or websites.
This article details the key security features of the solution and outlines the improvements over the legacy application.
Key Features
- Secure Environment: Kiosk Mode locks down the Chromebook, limiting access and maintaining exam integrity.
- Validation: The browser validates its version and ensures it's operating within Kiosk Mode. Chrome OS handles background processes and virtualization.
- Secure Communication: All communication is encrypted with HTTPS (TLS 1.3), and certificate pinning prevents man-in-the-middle attacks.
- Monitoring: External displays and peripherals (camera, microphone, clipboard) are monitored.
- Threat Mitigation: Designed to prevent unauthorized applications, virtualization, network manipulation, hardware manipulation, malicious code, and user collusion.
Benefits
- Provides a secure and reliable testing environment.
- Leverages Chrome OS for enhanced security and streamlined management.
- Employs a multi-layered security approach in a zero-trust environment.
- Protects against various threats to exam integrity.
- In simpler terms: The Inspera Assessment Lockdown Browser on Chromebooks turns the Chromebook into a secure testing device. It blocks everything except the test, keeping the exam fair and preventing cheating. It also ensures that all information sent during the test is safe and secure.
Improvements over the Legacy application
- Two rows of additional resources can be shown in the current Chromebook PW, where as only one row of additional resources can be seen in the Legacy Chromebook application.
- Fast render of test assets like images, and documents, unlike a native application.
- On the invigilator password page (when the candidate lands hereafter resuming the test), they cannot see and open additional resources like they could in the Legacy Chromebook application.
- Candidates can now go back to the test if they accessed an external link during the test in the PWA. They were stuck viewing these links in the Legacy Chromebook application and could not return to the test.