When hardware verification couldn't keep up with federal mandates.
Industry
Government contractor
Challenge
A government contractor needed IAL2 identity proofing for employees accessing GovCloud. Their legacy process required shipping physical scanners to each user, a method that was slow, expensive, and impossible to scale. The company needed a certified solution that eliminated hardware logistics while improving the onboarding experience.
Solution
1Kosmos replaced the scanner-based workflow with appless, web-based identity proofing certified to NIST 800-63-3 IAL2 standards. Employees complete verification remotely using any device with a camera. The solution scaled instantly, improved productivity, and keeps captured PII under the employee's control.
The Scanner Problem
Meeting IAL2 requirements meant verifying every employee's identity against government-issued credentials. The contractor's legacy approach required shipping dedicated scanners to each user, a process that was expensive, time-consuming, and completely dependent on physical logistics.
As the workforce grew, the model couldn't keep up. Every new hire meant another scanner in the mail, another tracking number, another delay before work could begin.
A Mandate and an Opportunity
The contractor's federal customer required IAL2 verification for anyone accessing GovCloud. That mandate was non-negotiable, but the method of achieving it was open for change.
1Kosmos offered a path forward: appless identity proofing certified to NIST 800-63-3 IAL2 standards, delivered entirely through a web browser. No hardware. No app downloads. No shipping delays.
Proofing Without Friction
The new workflow lets employees complete identity verification from any device with a camera. They scan a government-issued ID, capture a selfie, and receive verification in minutes. The process meets the same IAL2 threshold as the legacy scanners without the logistics burden.
Productivity improved immediately. Employees onboard faster, and the organization eliminated ongoing hardware investments entirely.
Privacy by Design
Beyond compliance and convenience, the solution addressed a secondary concern: data control. Captured PII is stored under the employee's control rather than centralized in company systems, satisfying privacy requirements without additional infrastructure.
Scalability Unlocked
What once required weeks of coordination now happens instantly. The contractor can proof new users on demand, scaling headcount without scaling hardware. A compliance mandate became the catalyst for a faster, leaner onboarding process built to grow with the business.
