CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

1Kosmos vs Descope

1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases. Descope sells the Descope customer and agentic IAM platform, which uses visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs to create and customize identity journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers. CISO Tribune files both under Passwordless authentication and authenticators and Customer identity and access management. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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  • 1Kosmos
  • Descope
1Kosmos vs Descope: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
1Kosmos1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases.1kosmos.comDescopeDescope sells the Descope customer and agentic IAM platform, which uses visual workflows, SDKs, and APIs to create and customize identity journeys for customers, partners, AI agents, and MCP servers.descope.com
What it sells
  • Passwordless Authentication[3][5]Passwordless sign-in with LiveID, 1Key, and FIDO2.
  • 1Key[3][7]A biometric device for shared desktops.
  • 1Kosmos Workforce[6]Workforce identity verification and access across the KYE journey.
  • Descope Flows[1][13]A visual, workflow-based identity journey builder.
  • Agentic Identity Hub[2][5][13]Identity infrastructure for AI agents and MCP servers.
  • SSO Setup Suite[13]A self-service wizard to configure SSO and SCIM.
Categories
Headquarters
Iselin, New Jersey, USA[1]Not stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Privately held[5]Not stated on its pages
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pages
  • October 28, 2026Descope announced it was named to the 2026-27 Fortune Cyber 60 list in the early growth category, its fourth consecutive year on the list.[22]
  • September 30, 2026Descope announced Family Accounts, the first release in its relational identity framework for consumer companies.[23]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[11]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
For agents on shared workstations, 1Kosmos ties logins to real-world identities. In higher education, 1Kosmos addresses students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In retail, 1Kosmos addresses store associates, fulfillment workers, and office staff using shared POS terminals and workstations. 1Kosmos Partner Advantage is aimed at firms that integrate, resell, manage, or outsource services.From its own pages, Descope sells mainly to organizations that need identity for external users such as customers and partners. Descope says its platform helps meet B2B enterprise requirements across authentication, SSO, delegated admin, fine-grained access, and auditability. Descope addresses teams that build AI agents and MCP servers. Descope says its FedRAMP High environment serves US government and regulated customers.
Last verified
November 2, 2026October 7, 2026

Where they overlap

  • 1Kosmos and Descope are both filed under Passwordless authentication and authenticators and Customer identity and access management.

Where they differ, field by field

  • 1Kosmos's primary category is Identity verification; Descope's is Customer identity and access management.
  • Descope is also filed under Non-human identity security and Workforce IAM and SSO.
  • 1Kosmos lists Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. Descope lists Descope Flows, Agentic Identity Hub and SSO Setup Suite.
  • 1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA.
  • 1Kosmos is privately held.

What it sells: 1Kosmos

What Passwordless Authentication does[3][5]
1Kosmos passwordless authentication offers LiveID, 1Key, and FIDO2 sign-in built on the same verified identity, with support for legacy MFA, PIV, and RADIUS. Phishing-resistant MFA options include LiveID biometrics, passkeys, FIDO2, and device biometrics. Passwordless Authentication can coexist with current authenticators while users transition at their own pace.
What 1Key does[3][7]
The 1Kosmos 1Key is a biometric device that stays with each shared desktop and lets every shift authenticate to Windows, VPN, and apps without personal tokens or passwords. 1Key includes biometric and touch security keys for individual users.
What 1Kosmos Workforce does[6]
1Kosmos Workforce turns on only what each stage of the KYE journey requires, and the Intelligence Layer monitors risk across all of them. 1Kosmos verifies new hires and contractors with IAL2-compliant identity proofing before any account is provisioned.

What it sells: Descope

What Descope Flows does[1][13]
Descope Flows is a visual, workflow-based identity journey builder that keeps login flows out of application code. Descope says signup, login, MFA, SSO, and step-up can be added through a workflow interface. Authentication flows can be changed without touching the codebase.
What Agentic Identity Hub does[2][5][13]
The Agentic Identity Hub publishes the discovery metadata MCP clients use to locate the authorization server, hosts the token and authorization endpoints, and handles user authentication and consent. The Agentic Identity Hub supports Dynamic Client Registration (DCR) and Client ID Metadata Documents (CIMD). The Agentic Identity Hub provides a centralized view of every connected agent, the delegating user, and the tools and scopes they hold.

Questions about 1Kosmos and Descope

What do 1Kosmos and Descope sell?
1Kosmos sells Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. Descope sells Descope Flows, Agentic Identity Hub and SSO Setup Suite.
Are 1Kosmos and Descope in the same category?
They share Passwordless authentication and authenticators and Customer identity and access management. 1Kosmos's primary category is Identity verification and Descope's is Customer identity and access management.
Where are 1Kosmos and Descope headquartered?
1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA.
Who owns 1Kosmos and Descope?
1Kosmos is privately held.
Who are 1Kosmos and Descope sold to?
For agents on shared workstations, 1Kosmos ties logins to real-world identities. From its own pages, Descope sells mainly to organizations that need identity for external users such as customers and partners.
What have 1Kosmos and Descope announced recently?
October 28, 2026: Descope announced it was named to the 2026-27 Fortune Cyber 60 list in the early growth category, its fourth consecutive year on the list.

About 1Kosmos

1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases. On the 1Kosmos platform, a user proves their identity once and reuses it across onboarding, login, account recovery, and high-risk transaction step-up. 1Kosmos says that unverified people create fraud risk and that unauthenticated agents create liability. The 1Kosmos platform adds its control to existing identity infrastructure and gives employees, customers, citizens, and AI agents a reusable, passwordless identity across onboarding, access, recovery, and step-up verification.[2][3][4]

1Kosmos identity verification uses document and biometric proofing with liveness detection, certified to NIST 800-63-3 IAL2, with IAL3 step-up. 1Kosmos passwordless authentication offers LiveID, 1Key, and FIDO2 sign-in built on the same verified identity, with support for legacy MFA, PIV, and RADIUS. 1Kosmos offers phishing-resistant MFA options including LiveID biometrics, passkeys, FIDO2, and device biometrics. The 1Kosmos reusable identity wallet is cryptographically protected and user-controlled, stores no PII, and requires the user's consent for every use. 1Kosmos feeds verified identity into the systems its customers already run, with more than 150 pre-built connectors. 1Kosmos integrates with Okta, Microsoft, Ping, Zscaler, and more.[3]

1Kosmos Workforce turns on only what each stage of the KYE journey requires, and the Intelligence Layer monitors risk across all of them. For new hire screening, 1Kosmos verifies new hires and contractors with IAL2-compliant identity proofing before any account is provisioned. In the workforce flow, a government ID is matched to the same face, and US work eligibility is confirmed against that identity. 1Kosmos binds the verified identity to the HR record and directory account before access is granted. New hires sign in passwordless with LiveID or phrase + PIN, and no initial password is ever sent. 1Kosmos help desk verification replaces agent judgment with a government ID check and a live biometric match that returns pass/fail. 1Kosmos confirms a verified identity before agents or self-service portals reset passwords, MFA, or profiles. For frontline workers, 1Kosmos secures shared workstations without passwords, personal tokens, or smartphones.[6]

The 1Kosmos 1Key is a biometric device that stays with each shared desktop and lets every shift authenticate to Windows, VPN, and apps without personal tokens or passwords. 1Key includes biometric and touch security keys for individual users. 1Kosmos reverifies agents automatically when roles or risk change. 1Kosmos identity verification enables reverification at critical moments. 1Kosmos prompts additional verification when risk escalates during high-value returns, account changes, or contractor access, without restarting the full identity journey. 1Kosmos steps up security when risk increases during high-value transactions, account recovery, or access from new devices.[7][8][9]

1Kosmos is a Kantara certified credential service provider delivering NIST IAL2 identity proofing and AAL2 authentication for healthcare workflows. 1Kosmos proofs patients, prescribers, staff, and partners at IAL2 and provisions accounts with a reusable verified identity. 1Kosmos lets clinicians access EHRs, e-prescribing tools and clinical apps with a quick biometric sign-in that replaces passwords. In higher education, 1Kosmos verifies students, faculty, staff, and alumni remotely with document and biometric checks and binds each verified identity to campus accounts and trusted devices. 1Kosmos replaces passwords with biometric login anchored to a verified identity, working alongside existing SSO and MFA.[10][11]

For public sector agencies, 1Kosmos provides IAL2 identity proofing, remote caller verification, and a reusable wallet. 1Kosmos issues digital identity wallets to public sector users who do not have PIV/CACs but still need system access. 1Kosmos verifies residents with full IAL2 proofing made up of document verification, AAMVA lookup, identity database checks, and biometric face match. 1Kosmos digital identity wallets are stored in a private and permissioned distributed ledger. At account opening, 1Kosmos applies document verification, liveness detection, and real-time government checks against synthetic IDs and deepfakes. In retail, 1Kosmos lets store associates, fulfillment workers, and office staff access shared POS terminals and workstations using badges or biometrics instead of passwords. 1Kosmos automatically syncs employee access with HRIS and PACS. In manufacturing, 1Kosmos replaces shared passwords with biometric sign-in so every operator has their own verified identity.[8][9][12]

1Kosmos platform credentials include FedRAMP High, DoD IL4/IL5, NIST 800-63-3 AAL2/IAL2, iBeta PAD Level 2, FIDO2, and SOC 2 Type 2. 1Kosmos is backed by SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and FedRAMP High. 1Kosmos states that it never sells, shares, or repurposes user data. 1Kosmos Partner Advantage fits firms that run a delivery practice, whether they integrate, resell, manage, or outsource services.[3][4][7][10][12][13]

1Kosmos on the record

Sources

1Kosmos full record

  1. [1]1kosmos secures 57m in series b funding1Kosmos · 1kosmos.com · published August 12, 2025 · Tier A
  2. [2]1kosmos.com1Kosmos · 1kosmos.com · undated page, accessed November 2, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Become a partner | 1Kosmos partners1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Identity Verification & Passwordless Solutions | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Public Sector Solutions | CSP for Public Agencies1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Workforce Identity & Know Your Employee (KYE) | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]BPO Identity Solutions | Passwordless Access by 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Retail Identity Solutions | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Risk Management Solutions for Banks & Fintech | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Healthcare Identity Verification | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Identity Verification Solutions for Higher Education | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Digital Identity for Manufacturing | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Product Use Cases | 1Kosmos1Kosmos · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

Descope full record

  1. [1]descope.comDescope · descope.com · undated page, accessed October 7, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Crn stellar startups 2025Descope · descope.com · published November 10, 2025 · Tier A
  3. [3]Descope | Customer and Agentic Identity PlatformDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Sign up for Descope | Product HuntDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Descope | No / low code CIAM platformDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Pricing | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Our company | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Security and Privacy with DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Security and Compliance | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]GradRight Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Descope Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier C
  12. [12]WisdomAI Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Token Security Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]FedRAMP High Authorized Identity Platform | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Navan Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Reco Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Collectors Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Linktree Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  19. [19]Refresh Token Rotation | Descope DocumentationDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  20. [20]Project Snapshot | Descope DocumentationDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  21. [21]Owens & Minor Customer Story | DescopeDescope · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  22. [22]Descope Named to Fortune Cyber 60 List for Fourth Consecutive YearDescope · published October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  23. [23]Descope Launches Family Accounts to Model Relational IdentityDescope · published September 30, 2026 · Tier A

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