CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

1Kosmos vs HID

1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases. HID sells identity solutions that connect billions of people, places and things. CISO Tribune files both under Identity verification and Passwordless authentication and authenticators. 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
  • HID
1Kosmos vs HID: 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.comHIDHID sells identity solutions that connect billions of people, places and things.hidglobal.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.
  • HID Authentication Service[3]A cloud-based authentication platform for regulated industries such as healthcare, financial services, government and critical infrastructure.
  • HID Approve[3][4]A mobile authentication solution with push notification, QR code and one-time password methods.
  • HID Amico[7]HID Amico provides facial recognition technology.
  • HID Signo Reader 40[5]A reader for door applications requiring wall switch mounting.
  • HID Signo Reader 20[6]A reader for door applications requiring a narrow card reader.
  • HID VAL100[10]A ticket validator that combines barcode and NFC/RFID reading.
  • HID DigitalPersona 5300[8]A FIPS 201/PIV and FBI Mobile ID FAP 30 fingerprint reader.
  • EikonTouch TC510[9]A USB capacitive silicon fingerprint reader.
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
  • November 3, 2026HID announced it has acquired inepro ID, a provider of contactless authentication solutions for secure print release and identity management.[12]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • 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.HID names government agencies, financial services organizations and healthcare providers that secure access to online services for citizens, customers and patients. HID also provides digital onboarding and instant card issuance to banks and fintechs. HID also offers hospitality solutions for hotels and resorts. HID Amico is for mid-sized organizations seeking a contactless reader.
Last verified
November 2, 2026November 6, 2026

Where they overlap

  • 1Kosmos and HID are both filed under Identity verification and Passwordless authentication and authenticators.

Where they differ, field by field

  • 1Kosmos's primary category is Identity verification; HID's is Workforce IAM and SSO.
  • 1Kosmos is also filed under Customer identity and access management. HID is also filed under Machine identity and PKI.
  • 1Kosmos lists Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. HID lists HID Authentication Service, HID Approve, HID Amico, HID Signo Reader 40, HID Signo Reader 20 and 3 more.
  • 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: HID

What HID Authentication Service does[3]
HID Authentication Service supports CIAM use cases through customer enrollment, multi-factor authentication and identity management on a cloud-based platform. HID Authentication Service is designed to integrate with enterprise identity infrastructures, including Microsoft Entra ID.
What HID Approve does[3][4]
HID Approve is a mobile authentication solution that enables push notification authentication, QR code authentication and one-time password (OTP) generation for consumer and workforce use cases. HID Approve enables mobile transaction signing by allowing users to approve high-risk actions and transactions on their mobile device. HID Approve can be deployed as a customizable mobile authentication application or integrated into existing applications using an authentication SDK.
What HID Amico does[7]
HID Amico is for mid-sized organizations seeking a contactless reader. HID Amico supports five authentication methods: face, credential (HF/LF), HID Mobile Access and Wallets, QR code and PIN.
What HID Signo Reader 40 does[5]
HID Signo Reader 40 is a founding member of the Signo platform. HID Signo Reader 40 is for door applications requiring wall switch mounting and supports credential technologies in cards, fobs and mobile devices.
What HID VAL100 does[10]
HID VAL100 Onboard Validator combines barcode and NFC/RFID reading functionality to provide a single point of presentation for tickets and travel passes. HID designed the VAL100 bus ticket validator to integrate with Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) systems.
What HID DigitalPersona 5300 does[8]
HID DigitalPersona 5300 is a FIPS 201/PIV and FBI Mobile ID FAP 30 fingerprint reader. HID DigitalPersona 5300 can be used with any standards-compatible fingerprint template extractor or matcher, including the DigitalPersona FingerJet Biometric Engine.
What EikonTouch TC510 does[9]
EikonTouch TC510 is a USB capacitive silicon fingerprint reader for high traffic environments such as point-of-sale and multi-user applications. EikonTouch TC510 is designed for use with the DigitalPersona Software Developer Kit (SDK).

Questions about 1Kosmos and HID

What do 1Kosmos and HID sell?
1Kosmos sells Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. HID sells HID Authentication Service, HID Approve, HID Amico, HID Signo Reader 40, HID Signo Reader 20 and 3 more.
Are 1Kosmos and HID in the same category?
They share Identity verification and Passwordless authentication and authenticators. 1Kosmos's primary category is Identity verification and HID's is Workforce IAM and SSO.
Where are 1Kosmos and HID headquartered?
1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA.
Who owns 1Kosmos and HID?
1Kosmos is privately held.
Who are 1Kosmos and HID sold to?
For agents on shared workstations, 1Kosmos ties logins to real-world identities. HID names government agencies, financial services organizations and healthcare providers that secure access to online services for citizens, customers and patients.
What have 1Kosmos and HID announced recently?
November 3, 2026: HID announced it has acquired inepro ID, a provider of contactless authentication solutions for secure print release and identity management.

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

HID full record

  1. [1]hidglobal.comHID · hidglobal.com · undated page, accessed November 6, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Powering Trusted Identities of the World’s People, Places and Things | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]HID Authentication ServiceHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]HID Approve | Mobile Authentication & Transaction SigningHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]HID Signo Reader 40 | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]HID Signo Reader 20 | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]HID® Amico™ Biometric Facial Recognition Reader | Buy NowHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]HID DigitalPersona 5300 Fingerprint Reader | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]HID EikonTouch TC510 Fingerprint Reader | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]HID VAL100 | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]RFID Asset Tracking & Inventory Management | HID GlobalHID Global · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]HID Acquires inepro ID, Expands Its Secure Print PortfolioHID · published November 3, 2026 · Tier A

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