EssingtonITS recently completed the deployment of a Secure Exam Browser (SEB) server for one of its clients in the education sector. The institution, comprising multiple schools under a single umbrella, was facing operational challenges with maintaining and distributing SEB configurations across many examination environments. 

Although the client had already adopted SEB for delivering secure, cheat-resistant digital exams via eLMS (our Moodle-based learning management system), managing unique configuration files for each school and exam condition had become unsustainable at scale. Variations in exam requirements such as permitted URLs, applications, and security levels meant that administrators were constantly juggling multiple SEB config files and workflows. 

The Problem: Unreliable and Inconsistent Setup

High volume of exams

Exams were being run across dozens of schools with different network settings, exam rules, and permitted resources. 

Manual configuration management

SEB configuration files (.seb) were manually distributed and version controlled, creating room for error. 

Inconsistent user experience

Discrepancies in SEB client settings led to exam day issues such as configuration mismatches and connection failures. 

The Solution: The SEB Server

To address these issues, EssingtonITS implemented SEB-SERVER, a central SEB server designed to automate the management of SEB configuration files and streamline exam delivery. 

What is SEB-SERVER? 

SEB-SERVER (Secure Exam Browser Server) is a server-side companion application for SEB that enables: 

• Centralised configuration management.
• Dynamic delivery of SEB settings.
• Secure key exchange and session authentication.
• Seamless integration with LMS platforms like eLMs and Moodle.
• Exam proctoring.

How it Works 

• Containerised infrastructure: Deployed using Docker on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 with MariaDB backend allows easy maintenance, scalability, and high availability.
• Integration with Moodle: SEB server is fully integrated with the client’s multiple eLMS services using the built in SEB integration, enabling secure session validation and exam access control.
• Dynamic configuration delivery: Instead of manually distributing SEB config files, the server dynamically delivers settings to students based on the exam ID. This allows each school or exam session to have unique conditions without overhead.
• Session token management: Uses secure tokens to ensure only authorised users can access exams with SEB, preventing bypass attempts.
• SSL and network hardening: Configured with SSL certificates, firewall rules, and internal DNS support to meet data protection and security compliance requirements. 

Benefits: Reliable, Consistent, Secure

Reduced administrative overhead

Admins no longer need to generate and email SEB files per exam. All configuration is managed centrally.

Improved reliability and security

Students can only access exams through verified SEB sessions. All configurations are enforced server side.

Flexibility for diverse exam conditions 

Different schools or subjects can now have tailored SEB settings, including custom whitelists, applications, and display options. 

Seamless updates 

Changes to SEB policies are instantly reflected without students needing to download new config files. 

Future Plans 

The client is now exploring the use of additional SEB server features such as: 

• Time-based access restrictions 
• IP range enforcement 
• Logging and session analytics for audit purposes 
• Remote Exam proctoring 

 Built by Engineers. For Streamlined Management

EssingtonITS’s deployment of SEB Server has transformed exam security and administration for our client. By replacing fragmented, hard-to-maintain configurations with a centralised, containerised SEB Server, we’ve streamlined the management of secure exam environments even across a diverse network of schools and exam conditions. 

Our solution significantly reduces manual workload and maintenance, allowing administrators to configure and enforce exam settings from a single point of control. The SEB Server’s server side management features ensure consistent security policies and tailored exam conditions, while supporting scalability as organisational needs grow. 

To ensure a smooth transition and high adoption, EssingtonITS provided comprehensive training for both administrators and lecturers. Our premium support package keeps the service running optimally and ensures timely updates as new features and security patches are released. 

Visit myelms.co.uk or contact us to learn more.