ASRG would like to thank the AO Forum team for inviting ASRG to speak at this year’s event, and to everyone who attended and engaged so thoughtfully with the presentation. It was a pleasure to have our Head of Research, Niamh Pierce, share some of our latest work on impersonation and deception technologies.
Our session explored the increasingly organised world of cheating devices and impersonation services, highlighting how rapidly these threats are evolving and how essential it is for the sector to stay ahead of them. She revisited findings from our Devices of Deception paper, which examines the growing market for covert technologies designed for cheating. Many attendees expressed interest in the examples highlighted, and for those who wish to explore the research in more depth, the paper is available here.
Niamh also offered an exclusive first look at our upcoming paper on impersonation. This is an area of growing concern across the sector, and we are looking forward to sharing the full whitepaper soon. If this is an area of interest, we encourage you to stay connected with ASRG and consider joining our community. Members receive early access to our research, meaning they will be the first to receive this paper and our latest insights as soon as they are released
One other presentation which stood out to us at AO Forum was on psychological safety, and presented by Sam Double, CEO of VetSkill. Her talk examined how awarding organisations can meet regulatory requirements while maintaining a psychologically safe environment that supports workplace positivity and staff wellbeing. The emphasis she placed on creating spaces where people feel able to speak openly, raise concerns and share uncertainties resonated strongly with us at ASRG. Effective assessment security depends on honest dialogue, early warnings and the confidence to share issues that may initially seem minor. When psychological safety is missing, crucial insights and opportunities for early intervention are lost. At ASRG, open communication is essential to meaningful progress and strengthening assessment security.
Another striking point shared during the event was recent data from Ofqual showing that 5,025 students were issued penalties in 2025 for cheating, with 44.3% of cases involving smartphones or other communication devices. It’s a clear sign that cheating technologies are a growing threat, and highlights how important it is for the sector to keep talking about these issues and sharing knowledge so all assessments can be better protected.
Many of the discussions encouraged awarding organisations to view reform not simply as a disruption or added challenge but as an opportunity to rethink established practices, strengthen their processes and build resilience. ASRGs contribution also reflected this perspective. While the rise of deception and impersonation presents real challenges, it also pushes the sector to innovate, collaborate and evolve. Change, when approached with curiosity rather than caution, creates a foundation for real improvement.
Our thanks once again to the AO Forum team for hosting such an engaging event, and to all those who attended. We look forward to continuing these discussions and working together towards safer, fairer assessments for all.
Looking for more?
Join ASRG today to keep up to date with our research and to stay informed on the latest changes in assessment security.
Follow this link for more information about ASRG membership.
ASRG: Working together to make assessments fairer and more secure for everyone.
