CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

1Kosmos vs Persona

1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases. Persona sells a modular identity platform for verifying real people and real businesses online, covering verification, fraud prevention and identity orchestration. CISO Tribune files both under Identity verification. 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
  • Persona
1Kosmos vs Persona: 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.comPersonaPersona sells a modular identity platform for verifying real people and real businesses online, covering verification, fraud prevention and identity orchestration.withpersona.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.
  • Manual review[4][6]A customizable identity hub for manual review investigations.
Categories
Headquarters
Iselin, New Jersey, USA[1]San Francisco, United States[2]
Founded
Not stated on its pages2018[2][13]
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
  • July 6, 2026Persona launched a Singpass integration that lets its customers accept Singpass authentication for identity verification.[9]
  • May 5, 2026Persona announced a partnership with Chainlink to support compliant on-chain identity.[8]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • 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.From its own pages, Persona sells mainly to organisations that need to verify individuals and businesses online. It describes a configurable platform for use cases such as identity verification, KYC/AML, KYB and age assurance. One named customer is a payments platform that serves merchants such as marketplaces and digital content platforms. Persona also describes workflows for age verification under shifting regulations and for compliance teams adapting to regulatory change.
Last verified
November 2, 2026November 2, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Identity verification is the primary category of both 1Kosmos and Persona.

Where they differ, field by field

  • 1Kosmos is also filed under Passwordless authentication and authenticators and Customer identity and access management. Persona is also filed under Fraud prevention.
  • 1Kosmos lists Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. Persona lists Manual review.
  • 1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Persona is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.
  • Persona was founded in 2018.
  • 1Kosmos is privately held.

How they differ

1Kosmos sells a platform that combines identity verification and passwordless authentication, organized around KYC, KYE, and KYA use cases. Its products include Passwordless Authentication with LiveID, 1Key, and FIDO2, plus 1Key, a biometric device for shared desktops. Persona sells a modular identity platform for verifying real people and real businesses online, covering verification, fraud prevention and identity orchestration. It also sells a manual review hub, and says its platform lets teams spot connections between users to block fraud rings.

The overlap is identity verification; 1Kosmos adds sign-in tools such as passkeys and FIDO2, while Persona describes KYC/AML, KYB and age assurance use cases. 1Kosmos says its identity proofing is certified to NIST 800-63-3 IAL2, with IAL3 step-up. Persona says customers can configure controls for how data is processed, stored, retained, and accessed. 1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA, and is privately held. Persona is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, and was founded in 2018.

1Kosmos describes uses in higher education, retail, healthcare, and public sector agencies, and integrates with Okta, Microsoft, Ping, and Zscaler. The one customer named for Persona is Anton Payments, a B2B2C payments platform. On July 6, 2026, Persona launched a Singpass integration, and on May 5, 2026, it announced a partnership with Chainlink to support compliant on-chain identity.

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: Persona

What Manual review does[4][6]
Persona describes manual review as a way to expedite and conduct more thorough manual review investigations with a customizable identity hub. The platform also includes a manual review hub alongside the ability to spot connections between users and block fraud rings.

Questions about 1Kosmos and Persona

What do 1Kosmos and Persona sell?
1Kosmos sells Passwordless Authentication, 1Key and 1Kosmos Workforce. Persona sells Manual review.
Are 1Kosmos and Persona in the same category?
Yes. Identity verification is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Where are 1Kosmos and Persona headquartered?
1Kosmos is headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, USA. Persona is headquartered in San Francisco, United States.
When were 1Kosmos and Persona founded?
Persona was founded in 2018.
Who owns 1Kosmos and Persona?
1Kosmos is privately held.
Who are 1Kosmos and Persona sold to?
For agents on shared workstations, 1Kosmos ties logins to real-world identities. From its own pages, Persona sells mainly to organisations that need to verify individuals and businesses online.
What have 1Kosmos and Persona announced recently?
July 6, 2026: Persona launched a Singpass integration that lets its customers accept Singpass authentication for identity verification.

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

Persona full record

  1. [1]withpersona.comPersona · withpersona.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Persona launches candidate verification to stop hiring fraud before day one 302711200Persona via PR Newswire · prnewswire.com · published March 11, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Secure Identity Verification Solutions | PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Configurable Identity Platform for Any Use Case | PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Pricing Structure and Plan Breakdowns | PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Automated Global Database Verification Service | PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Zro Bank Verifies More Users with Persona Serpro IntegrationPersona · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Persona Partners With Chainlink To Power Compliant Identity Credentials Across On-Chain MarketsBusiness Wire · published May 5, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Persona Launches Singpass Integration to Help Companies Scale in APACPersona · published July 6, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Persona Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 27, 2026 · Tier C
  11. [11]Get a User's Full Identity with Profile Report | PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Integrate Your Data and Tools With Persona | Persona MarketplacePersona · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Anton Payments Onboards Merchants 30x Faster With PersonaPersona · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Persona Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier C

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