Insights

From Headlines to Real Talk: Why We’re Changing Course

Our newsletter is evolving — less news, more impact. Each issue will now dissect a single real-world failure (or success) in compliance training. We’re starting with a crash course in flawed driver education, where a teenager outsourced his training… and a pug earned a certificate. Yes, really.

Integrity Is No One’s Job – Until It’s Too Late

Most organizations lack a dedicated role to oversee training and assessment integrity, leaving it buried under operational duties with conflicting priorities. Recent senior integrity leadership hires at VCU and Harvard signal a shift: integrity is becoming a strategic function, not just a presumed value. Without clear ownership and accountability, integrity remains vulnerable—especially when stakes are high. ⸻

Accredited Provider Charged with Fraud – IACET Cracks Down

Valour, an IACET-accredited provider, was indicted for issuing fake training credentials without verifying learner identity. In response, IACET reinforced its standards, reminding all providers that accreditation doesn’t protect against legal action when compliance fails

Think Your Training Is Secure? Think Again

Legacy online training methods are inadequate for high-risk industries, as they create an illusion of compliance without ensuring genuine participation or understanding. Employers must adopt stronger verification and engagement measures to ensure safety and accountability in training.

China Just Shut Down AI. Should We Do the Same?

China's decision to disable AI tools during assessments highlights global vulnerabilities in credentialing systems, revealing a lack of preparedness in North America. While some standards organizations are beginning to address AI risks, urgent structural reforms are needed to ensure assessment integrity and public trust in the face of evolving technology.

False Positives Are the Hidden Cost of AI Proctoring — And the Damage Is Real

AI proctoring systems often produce false positives by misinterpreting human behavior, leading to unjust accusations of cheating. These systems should not make definitive judgments without human review; instead, assessments should focus on maintaining valid testing conditions and accommodating learners' needs.

When Training Can’t Be Verified, It May Be a Crime — and Employers Are Accountable

Employers are accountable for ensuring training providers verify identity and participation; failure to do so can lead to criminal liability for false credentials. Unverified training may not reflect actual participation, risking compliance and safety in high-risk industries. It's crucial to confirm training integrity with regulators to maintain a safe workplace.

The System Says They're Trained — But No One Actually Knows

A report reveals over 750 construction workers in Australia hold credentials without verified training, highlighting a regulatory failure where responsibility is shifted among regulators, employers, and training organizations. The lack of proper verification poses serious safety risks, emphasizing the need for systems that ensure actual learning and accountability to prevent preventable accidents.

Verified, Observed, Accountable: What All High-Risk Systems Need

High-risk training must ensure verified identity and active participation to prevent workplace fatalities. Lessons from blood donation protocols highlight the need for integrity in training systems to avoid ineffective certifications and enhance safety.

Cognisense Launches to Lead the Charge in AI Risk Intelligence, Enforcement Insights, and Vendor Analysis

Cognisense Is Live — For the Pros Who’ve Seen It All, and Want Better

Built for risk, ops, and compliance professionals who’ve been through the fire — and are ready to stop playing defense.

Choosing the Right Proctoring Method: A Standards-Based Approach

Ensuring the integrity of workplace health and safety training is essential for compliance, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency. As organizations evaluate proctoring solutions, they often face a choice between live online proctoring, AI-assisted monitoring, and record-and-review methods. While each approach has its advantages and limitations, the decision should not be based on subjective preferences or industry trends. Instead, organizations should focus on defining the desired outcomes and selecting tools that align with established training integrity standards, such as ANSI/ASSP Z490.1.