University Secures Online Exam Access with Biometrics

Young man smiling while looking at laptop

Challenge

When the pandemic forced exams online, LUISS needed a secure, scalable way to authenticate student identity remotely without adding friction or storing sensitive biometric data.

Results

LUISS deployed PingOne Recognize’s biometric authentication in just two days, supporting 10,000 students, 1500 daily authentications, and 2,200 virtual exams with reduced IT overhead.

Objective

LUISS University aimed to ensure academic integrity and continuity during COVID-19 by enabling secure remote exam access for thousands of students. The goal was to confirm each student’s identity before sitting an online exam without requiring passwords, while protecting biometric privacy. The university needed a fast-to-deploy solution that integrated with existing ADFS infrastructure.

Challenge

Traditional authentication methods created risk and operational strain as LUISS moved exams online. Passwords were insecure, difficult to manage at scale, and prone to reset requests. The university required a reliable way to validate student presence and prevent impersonation—all without storing personally identifiable information or compromising the remote exam experience.

Solution

LUISS implemented PingOne Recognize to deliver privacy-preserving, multi-factor biometric authentication. The solution integrated quickly with Microsoft ADFS and enabled students to authenticate using their devices and biometrics. With no passwords to manage and no PII stored, LUISS strengthened security while streamlining access for students and faculty during remote exams.

Results

The university went live in just two days and immediately supported 10,000 students completing 2,200 virtual exams. Authentication volume exceeded 1,500 per day with minimal IT involvement, no password resets, and a smoother login experience. Built-in biometric authentication ensured the right student took each exam while maintaining privacy.

The integration with LUISS and Keyless is a concrete example of the potential that can be unleashed when the best available technologies come together.

Agostino Santoni

CEO, Cisco Italy

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