Identity fraud is running rampant. The FTC reported that losses due to impersonation fraud spiked 70% in 2021, and the trend has continued upward.

In the wake of escalating data breaches and ransomware attacks, federal agencies are now subject to the Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity. Among the many directives for modernizing cybersecurity, the order called out the need to implement multi-factor authentication and advance to a zero-trust architecture.

Citizen identity proofing is now an imperative for the delivery of online services at the state level, which spiked in response to rampant unemployment fraud related to COVID relief. Municipalities and public utilities are also not immune to fraud, ransomware, and data breaches.

Employees, customers, and citizens must log in for work, shop, bank, pay bills, pay taxes, schedule services, and more.

This entrenched use of passwords leaves digital identity data everywhere in often ill-protected databases. It is highly insecure for organizations and users to spread login and identity information across cyberspace with zero control over where the data ends up or in whose hands.

1Kosmos has developed the BlockID platform to know with certainty the identity of users accessing digital services and, in doing so, eliminates passwords, giving users control over their personal data, simplifying login experiences, and reducing cyber and compliance risks to the organization.

For every access attempt, 1Kosmos BlockID proves the identity of the individual behind the digital connection, replaces passwords with a non-phishable MFA, and helps organizations move toward a zero-trust architecture by establishing an indisputable identity as a pillar for all downstream security measures.

(See a brief introduction to BlockID, courtesy of 1Kosmos and Vimeo.)

1Kosmos enables enterprises and government organizations to modernize cybersecurity ​​with identity-based authentication delivered as a secure cloud service.

1Kosmos has innovated a unique, phishing-resistant approach to passwordless multi-factor authentication that uses non-spoofable, live biometrics with a verified identity.

Users log in with live selfies rather than fumbling with setting/recalling/resetting passwords. The BlockID secure cloud service unifies identity verification and passwordless authentication to prevent identity impersonation, account takeover, and fraud. It provides passwordless access for customers, workers, and citizens to transact with digital services securely.

BlockID is the only NIST, FIDO2, and iBeta PAD-2 biometrics-certified platform that performs millions of authentications daily for some of the largest banks, government, telecommunications, and healthcare organizations in the world.

Its architectural advantage includes real, live biometrics, a private, permissioned blockchain, AI, machine learning, and more.

The ground-breaking distributed ledger (private blockchain) technology used in BlockID helps organizations meet current requirements for user onboarding, Know-Your-Customer (KYC) identity verification up to NIST IAL2, and authentication up to NIST AAL2.

This technology exceeds public-private key security that comes with a FIDO2 and NIST-certified solution. It eliminates administrative access to centralized “honeypots” of user personally identifiable information (PII). Information is shared, encrypted, and stored in a private blockchain.

BlockID creates an immutable audit trail where events are logged in perpetuity and cannot be manipulated. This provides a detailed and indisputable record of identity and access attempts for auditors to meet zero-trust requirements for user authentication.

1Kosmos BlockID is the only platform in the industry that merges identity proofing and passwordless multi-factor authentication and is certified for iBeta Biometric PAD-2 Liveness, NIST 800-63-3, and FIDO2. It is also certified to ISO 27001 and compliant with GDPR and SOC2 standards.

First, individual users are guided via a mobile app or simple web browser interface through an intuitive, one-time enrollment process. It prompts them to take a “live selfie,” express an emotion (e.g., blink and smile), and optionally scan government identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport).

In the background, BlockID runs facial matching using the number one rated NIST algorithm for non-bias racial or gender decisioning, far outperforming manual, error-prone processes with a benchmarked 99.6% Target Accept Rate (TAR) and .01% False Accept Rate (FAR) to eliminate identity fraud, reduce operating costs, and minimize compliance risk.

1Kosmos BlockID then performs data and credential validation. Lesser forms of identity assertion can be used, such as banking records or existing worker or customer user credentials. BlockID performs an instant IAL2 certified identity verification without requiring on-site physical presence and stores user data encrypted in a permissioned, private blockchain distributed ledger that can never be modified, is only accessible by the user, and serves as a secure audit trail.

1Kosmos Block ID Distributed Identity gives users complete control over their personal data since it is securely stored cryptographically via public-private key pair, and they can decide when and with whom to share it.

Logging in with a live selfie detects spoofing and makes authentication frictionless for an identity-backed “digital wallet” that allows for simplified business transactions verified via strong authentication.

1Kosmos provides data privacy and control; only the user can change the information.

Neither 1Kosmos, administrators, or applications can purposefully or inadvertently access the data. Personal data can only be decrypted and shared with user consent, and a conventional data breach cannot compromise the data because it is not stored centrally in “honeypots” typically targeted at one of the organizations the user does business with, employed by, etc.

For developers, 1Kosmos DevX (Developer Experience) environment enables organizations to evaluate how passwordless, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and identity verification will work with existing and new applications.

DevX eliminates the need to install the 1Kosmos BlockID platform to perform proof of concept (PoC) trials for adding identity and access management (IAM) capabilities to workforce and customer-facing applications. This supports a more agile and journey-based approach to deploying passwordless, MFA, and identity verification.

For legacy applications that cannot go passwordless, BlockID enables users to use convenient biometrics to reset passwords, which eliminates help desk time and costs and provides them to regain access more quickly.

BlockID integrates easily with any operating system, SSO gateway, cloud application, cloud platform, hardware tokens, PAM, remote access, DevOps, or web-enabled system, enabling organizations to go passwordless with flexible levels of identity assurance on any target system, eliminating the need for third-party two-factor authentication, one-time codes, and knowledge-based questions.

BlockID has 50+ off-the-shelf integrations, and is developer-friendly with an SDK and standard APIs. It supports commercial, corporate, or government systems via industry authentication standards, including OAuth, OIDC, SAML and FIDO and legacy support via RADIUS.

BlockID is highly flexible, supports TouchID, FaceID, or the LiveID™ “live selfie” authentication, and can provide multi-factor authentication for contractors and employees with privileged access to critical systems or executives with signature authority.

Identity verification and assurance can be assumed for existing employees or completed using government-issued credentials during the hiring/onboarding process.

(Learn how 1Kosmos digitally transforms the standard onboarding process for employees or contractors, delivering the highest degree of end-user assurance, then bind the user’s proofed identity to create an identity-based biometric authentication and a passwordless experience. Users will utilize their trusted mobile device for daily authentication and step-up authentication, and as a result, each access event is associated with a real, verified identity. Courtesy of 1Kosmos and YouTube.)

BlockID complies with privacy-by-design mandates in support of GDPR and user-managed PII. It also prepares organizations for meeting future challenges associated with implementing Web 3.0 self-sovereign, decentralized digital identities.

To learn about 1Kosmos’s sound business benefit to government organizations, please visit their government solutions webpage at https://www.1kosmos.com/government-solutions/ where you can view testimonials from Vice Admiral Mike McConnell, Former Director of National Intelligence; Arthur L. Money, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense;
Michael Yoder, Director Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation and Former Executive Director Morgan Stanley, and Dan Lohrmann, Former CTO, CIO, CISO, State of Michigan.

For additional information about 1Kosmos, go to www.1kosmos.com.

1Kosmos Latest Competitor in 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program, and now in its Eighth Year, continues to recognize industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders, as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program will highlight the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2023 and the Significance and Positive Impact of Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in our Next Generation of Government and Industry Leaders. Because #MentorshipMatters.

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon on Thursday, November 16, 2023 in New York City at ISC East!

(See some highlights of the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon in New York City during ISC East at the Javits Center. Courtesy of AST and YouTube.)

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher, at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event in the heart of New York City.

The 2022 exclusive sold-out ‘ASTORS’ luncheon featured representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders who came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for generations to come.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which came out in force to discuss comprehensive collaborations between private and public sectors that have led to the development of intelligence and technologies which serve to protect our nation.

The keynote address was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner (DEAC) Diane Sabatino, who described the changes to CBP through the tragedy of 9/11 and the relentless commitment to its mission and ongoing investment in the latest technologies and innovations to protect our borders and Homeland.

The resounding theme of the DEAC’s remarks was her pride in the women and men of the CBP and their families who support them.

AST was also joined by Legendary Police Commissioner William Bratton, who spoke about his love for the City of New York, the Profession of law enforcement to which he has dedicated his life, and for which he continues to drive thought leadership and innovation.

New York City Police Department (NYPD) Chief of Department Kenneth Corey, came out to address Luncheon attendees and shared some of his experiences and the changes in policing he’s witnessed over his more than three decades of service.

FDNY Chief Joseph Jardin honored the men and women of the FDNY, not only those who currently serve but all of those who have selflessly served, with special recognition of those lost on 9/11.

Chief Jardin spoke about the continuing health battle of many following 9/11 with cancer and respiratory disease, yet now knowing the full consequences, would not have made a different decision to respond.

As Chief Jardin noted, mission-driven service is the lifeblood of every firefighter, volunteer, and sworn member, and has been so throughout the history of the Fire Service.

Former head of the FBI’s active shooter program, Katherine Schweit joined AST to sign complimentary copies of her book, ‘STOP THE KILLING: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis, thanks to the generosity of our 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Sponsors. 

The 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is Proudly Sponsored by Platinum Event Sponsor: NEC National Security Systems (NSS)

And Our RETURNING Premier Sponsors:

ATI Systems, Automatic Systems of America,

Rajant Corporation, RX Global, SIMS Software, and American Security Today!

In 2022, AST was pleased to welcome the esteemed New York City Fire Department (FDNY); the New York City Police Department (NYPD); and the NYC Hospital Police,  as well as Executive Management from the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and many other DHS agencies, Federal law enforcement agencies, and private/public partnerships such as the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), the 30×30 Initiative, a coalition of professionals advancing the representation of women in policing; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) (rail safety advocates).

The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

In 2022 over 240 distinguished guests representing Federal, State, and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms gathered from across North America, Europe, and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields.

Each year, to keep our communities safe and secure, security dealers, installers, integrators, and consultants, along with corporate, government, and law enforcement/first responder practitioners, convene in New York City to network, learn and evaluate the latest technologies and solutions from premier exhibiting brands at ISC East, the Natural Disaster & Emergency Management Expo (NDEM EXPO), and the ASIS NYC Expo.

ISC East is the Northeast’s leading security & public safety event, hosted in collaboration with sponsor Security Industry Association (SIA) and in partnership with ASIS NYC.

Corporate firms, the majority of which return year to year to build upon their Legacy of Wins, include:

Advanced Detection Technologies, AMAROK, ATI Systems, Axis Communications, Automatic Systems, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., Cellbusters, CornellCookson, CyberArk  Fortior Solutions, guardDog.ai, Hanwha Techwin of America, High Rise Escape Systems, IPVideo Corporation, Konica Minolta Business Solutions, NEC National Security Systems, NICE Public Safety, OnSolve, PureTech Systems, Quantum Corporation, Rave Mobile Safety, Regroup Mass Notification, Robotic Assistance Devices, Rajant Corporation, SafeLogic, Select Engineering Services LLC, Singlewire Software, SolarWinds Worldwide, Teledyne FLIR, Valor Systems, and West Virginia American Access Control Systems, just to name a few!

Why American Security Today?

The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old-school basics to what is Today – a fast-changing security landscape.

American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State, and local levels of government as well as firms allied to the government.

American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers’ eyes throughout the story with cutting-edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.

Harness the Power of the Web – with our 100% Mobile Friendly Publications

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals, in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from Government at the federal, state, and local levels as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more, please see the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2022 ‘A Year in Review.’

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition reviews ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

The 2022 CHAMPIONS serves as your Go-To Source through the year for ‘The Best of 2022 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today – and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION has what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It also features guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders and recognized firms in the 2022 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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