Unlocking Workforce Security: 1Kosmos & Concentrix Expand Identity-Backed Passwordless MFA
As organizations worldwide face mounting cyber security threats from phishing, social engineering and stolen or synthetic identity attacks, password-based authentication systems represent a security Achilles’ heel, productivity drain and inflatable cost center.
It has become clear through countless headlines and from the staggering financial losses that the systemic risk of weak identity verification and credentialling practices to ongoing business operations warrants modernization of Identity and Access Management, and most critically, identity verification.
Enter the ground-breaking collaboration between 1Kosmos and Concentrix—a partnership that combines innovative identity verification and passwordless MFA solutions with global cybersecurity infrastructure and managed service expertise.
Together, 1Kosmos and Concentrix are unveiling transformative enterprise offerings for remote worker identification and convenient authentication via verified biometrics delivered through proven methodologies and managed security services.
This launch is more than a business collaboration; it is a significant step toward reshaping how organizations approach workforce authentication. Here is everything you need to know about this innovative approach and its game-changing impact on businesses worldwide.
The Vision Behind the Launch
The vision of this partnership is to modernize and transform user onboarding and authentication into digital services in a way that enables high-assurance trust, improved user satisfaction and reduced friction to the user experience in ways not previously possible.
This is delivered through a low-risk enterprise-wide methodology that encompasses the many systems typically left uncovered by passwordless strategies, overcomes user resistance by easing them into their new experience at a controlled pace, and drives quick time to value through a scalable, enterprise-wide approach.
This vision is realized through the following combination of cloud-delivered business applications, globally high-availability infrastructure and world-class managed services team located in regions throughout the world.
1Kosmos Verify for remote identity verification represents an order of magnitude improvement in credential issuing during user onboarding and account recovery, where agents represent a single point of cyber vulnerability. The solution can be implemented stand-alone or integrated via SDK and standard API connectors to replace weak knowledge-based authentication (KBA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) with a simple self-service workflow that can be executed from any device, anywhere, and at any time. This detects stolen and synthetic identities and quickly establishes high-assurance trust for legitimate workers, many of whom are remote contractors and routinely onboarded outside the control of Human Resource (HR) departments.
1Kosmos Workforce for passwordless MFA represents a paradigm shift in authentication by eliminating the vulnerabilities of traditional passwords via identity-backed biometrics. Built on a decentralized identity framework, it ensures secure, frictionless authentication for employees, contractors, and supply chain partners into new and legacy Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, and Unix environments as well as non-SAML based applications and digital services.
Concentrix CyberProtect offers a full suite of security services to bolster cyber defenses via an automation-first, AI-driven approach to design, build, and run next-generation security solutions. This provides swift, expert deployment and ongoing global support to ensure resilience against evolving cyber threats.
Transformative Features and Benefits
1. Remote Identity Verification
Problem: HR departments and IT (Information Technology) Service Desk agents working with remote workers use antiquated identity verification processes that rely on manual review of government-issued credentials typically shared in the clear via email and SMS messaging. The use of high-quality fake credentials and AI deepfake presentation and injection attacks defeat these measures with increasing efficacy. Non-secure sharing of documents scatters digital artifacts putting individuals at risk for compromised PII (Personal Identifiable Information).
Solution: 1Kosmos offers around a dozen modalities for identity verification. For high assurance, identity documents are scanned and managed via an end-to-end encrypted workflow that verifies authenticity in real time for 150+ countries globally. Facial scanning hardened against deepfake attacks matches user likeness, issues a pass/fail and can create a digital authentication credential certified to FIDO, NIST, UK DIATF and iBeta Pad-1 specifications.
Benefits:
· +99% accuracy to verify identity anywhere, anytime and on any device
· Non-biased racial or gender decisioning drives objectivity, equity, and fairness
· Privacy by design secures PII and gives users control
· Brandable mobile app, app-less or browser workflows
2. Passwordless Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Problem: Traditional MFA methods, such as SMS-based codes and push notifications, are increasingly compromised through social engineering, SIM swapping and push bombing.
Solution: 1Kosmos leverages biometric identity verification to eliminate passwords entirely. By using facial, fingerprint recognition or any one of around a dozen authentication modalities, users can authenticate seamlessly across devices and platforms without sacrificing security.
Benefits:
· Cost Reduction: Eliminate SMS fees and multiple authenticators and reduce helpdesk workloads related to password resets.
· Enhanced User Experience: Simplify the login process for employees, contractors, and partners.
· Improved Security: Create a durable, tamper-proof digital identity for each user, minimizing cyber risks.
3. Restricted Environment Compatibility
Problem: Many workplaces, such as clean rooms and customer-facing service desks, cannot allow mobile phones, camera-equipped mobile devices, or hardware tokens.
Solution: 1Kosmos introduces a fingerprint biometric security key that supports multiple users on a single device. This ensures secure, passwordless MFA even in environments with transient workers and / or shared workstations.
Benefits:
· Efficiency: Reduce the need any user-specific hardware (such as security keys). The device stays with the workstation.
· Simplicity: Enable a zero-learning-curve user experience with intuitive biometric authentication.
· Flexibility: Can authenticate into the workstation or web-based applications.
Business Impact: The Numbers Speak
Cybersecurity Resilience
· Detect and defeat stolen and synthetic identities with 99.9% efficacy
· Secure PII with advanced cryptography and prevent 3rd party administrative access
· Eliminate passwords to render phishing and social engineering ineffective
Cost Efficiency
· Reduce identity verification and authentication management costs by 20–25%
· Lower SMS fees and minimize user training costs
· Reduce physical security tokens to one per workstation for unlimited users
Productivity Gains
· Accelerate authentication processes, enhancing worker productivity
· Register once, use anywhere with an immutable record of individual access events
· Reduce IT Support call volume related to password reset / recovery
Deployment and Integration Scenarios
Flexible Deployment Options: All solutions available via this partnership are designed and built to integrate with a wide array of environments, from legacy systems to innovative platforms, including Microsoft Entra ID, Okta and Ping. Deployment is swift, with a typical timeline of 2–4 weeks to realize initial benefits.
Common Use Cases:
· Verified Identity: Improve identity assurance levels for existing single sign-on platforms
· External Authentication Method: Standardize authentication across environments
· 2FA Replacement: Upgrade from outdated two-factor authentication systems
· Passwordless SSO: Enable single sign-on for systems not covered, such as virtual machines, VPN, domain controls, Mac, iOS, Unix, Linux, and legacy Windows
· On-Premises and Cloud: Seamless integration with Active Directory, Entra ID, and Windows Hello for Business.
· Restricted Environments: Secure authentication in call centers, clean rooms, and manufacturing floors.
How It Works: Behind the Scenes of 1Kosmos
1Kosmos verifies identity and creates a secure, decentralized identity for each user during enrollment. This identity is stored on a blockchain, ensuring data integrity and user privacy.
Certified to FIDO, UK DIATF, NIST IAL2 and AAL2 standards, 1Kosmos employs advanced iBeta-certified biometric verification resistant to deepfake attacks.
The blockchain infrastructure creates an unalterable log of authentication events, providing transparency and security for audits and investigations.
With over 50 pre-built connectors and an SDK, 1Kosmos integrates seamlessly into diverse IT ecosystems, preserving investments in existing infrastructure.
A biometric security key supporting unlimited users per device is available for restricted environments where camera-equipped mobile devices are not allowed.
Mapping to C-Level Priorities
Executive Concerns Addressed
1. Combat Hiring Fraud: Prevent rough actors from becoming malicious insiders at onboarding
2. Cyber Risk Mitigation: Reduce risks related to phishing and unauthorized access
3. Budget Optimization: Preserve existing IT investments cut costs by simplifying and standardizing identity verification and authentication to deliver measurable ROI
4. Enhanced User Experience: Ensure high adoption rates with an intuitive interface and experienced global design, build, deploy, and support team
5. Operational Automation: Minimize manual reviews and processes with adaptive, policy-based continuous authentication
6. Data Protection: Safeguard intellectual property and personal data with privacy-by-design architecture
The Road Ahead: Realizing the Vision
The 1Kosmos and Concentrix partnership marks a pivotal moment for businesses striving to enhance security and streamline operations. This solution delivers unparalleled value by leveraging identity-backed biometric authentication, decentralized identity, and managed services expertise.
Whether you are a Chief Information Security Officer seeking to bolster your cyber defenses, a Chief Technology Officer aiming to standardize and simplify IAM processes, or a line of business executives interested in minimizing the risk of operational disruptions from cyber incidents, these solutions offer the perfect blend of innovation, scalability, and resilience.
Join the revolution in workforce identity verification and passwordless authentication today. Explore how 1Kosmos sold, deployed, and supported by Concentrix can transform your security strategy and deliver measurable results. To learn more, visit 1Kosmos or contact us for a demo.
Let us redefine the art of the possible in cybersecurity, together!
