Identity proofing can confirm who someone is but it cannot verify what they are legitimately qualified to do.

That gap is why credentialing fraud will continue rising in 2026, even as ID verification systems like 1Kosmos expand across government, enterprise, and regulated industries.

This comparison explains why identity teams and compliance officers can no longer rely on identity proofing alone, where 1Kosmos is strongest, and why platforms like EveryCRED are becoming essential to stop credential-led fraud — the fast-growing attack vector that exploits the absence of verifiable, tamper-proof credentials.

What’s the Difference Between Identity Proofing and Credential Verification?

Identity proofing verifies a person’s identity documents, biometrics, and attributes.

Credential verification proves whether a person genuinely holds a qualification, license, certification, or authorization.

In one line:

Identity proofing ≠ credential authenticity.

This is the core “credential verification gap” that fraud actors exploit — because even if you verify the person, you still haven’t verified their claims.

AI-generated forgery tools make that gap even wider in 2026.

1Kosmos: Strong at Identity Proofing — But Stops Before Credential Authenticity

1Kosmos has built a highly respected identity proofing platform used across workforce, consumer, and government scenarios. It excels at:

• Document validation
• Biometrics and liveness
• Identity wallet functionality
• Authentication + access management

For verifying the person, 1Kosmos is powerful.

But like most identity proofing platforms, it does not issue, govern, or cryptographically validate third-party credentials such as:

• Degrees
• Professional licenses
• Training certificates
• Compliance credentials
• Employment or service records
• Supply chain attestations
• Law enforcement clearances

This leaves organizations exposed to:

• Fake certificates
• Forged experience letters
• Manipulated digital PDFs
• Unverified training claims
• AI-generated degrees and badges

These are not identity problems.

These are credential authenticity problems — and identity proofing alone cannot solve them.

This is exactly where EveryCRED enters.

EveryCRED: Credential Verification Layer Missing in Identity Programs

EveryCRED is an enterprise-ready credentialing platform that closes the verification gap by enabling organizations to:

• Issue tamper-proof W3C Verifiable Credentials
• Verify credentials using cryptographic proofs
• Revoke or update credentials in real time
• Present credentials via DIDs and VPs
• Integrate issuance + verification through APIs
• Protect privacy using Zero-Knowledge Proofs

Instead of validating documents, EveryCRED validates the issuer → credential → holder → verifier chain of trust.

In 2026, as AI makes forgery trivial, this chain becomes more important than ever.

2026 Fraud Environment Has Shifted — Identity Proofing Alone Is No Longer Enough

Deepfake credentials

AI can now generate diplomas, licenses, certifications, and employment records that bypass visual checks.

Perfect PDF manipulation

Forgers now modify salary slips, training records, compliance certificates, and onboarding documents with zero trace.

Trust in HR, compliance, and public-sector workflows is collapsing

Because most organizations still rely on screenshots, PDFs, emails, and unverified documents.

Identity & credential fraud are merging

Attackers use real identities combined with fake credentials — a combination traditional ID-proofing platforms cannot catch.

Regulators are tightening

Governments across North America, Europe, India, and APAC are signaling the need for verifiable, issuer-backed credentials in workforce, education, healthcare, and supply chain ecosystems.

This is why identity proofing must now pair with credential verification — not operate in isolation.

1Kosmos vs EveryCRED: What Each Platform Actually Verifies

Below is the clearest way for identity teams to evaluate the difference.

What 1Kosmos Verifies

• Government ID authenticity
• Biometrics + liveness
• Identity ownership
• Authentication events
• Identity attributes stored in profiles

Stops here.

It does not validate the origin, legitimacy, issuer, or revocation state of third-party credentials.

What EveryCRED Verifies

• The credential was issued by a legitimate organization
• The credential has not been tampered with
• The credential is still valid (or revoked)
• The holder is presenting it with consent
• Verification uses cryptographic proofs — not PDFs, screenshots, or email checks

EveryCRED operates on global standards (VCs, DIDs, VPs, SSI) and uses Zero-Knowledge Proofs so holders can prove validity without exposing personal data.

It’s not an identity proofing competitor.

It fills the credential trust gap that identity systems cannot address.

Why Identity Teams Choose EveryCRED as the Credential Layer Next to 1Kosmos

1. Credential authenticity becomes cryptographically verifiable

Eliminate reliance on PDFs, email confirmations, HR letters, or manual checks.

2. Issuers stay in control

Organizations can revoke or update credentials in real time — something legacy document workflows cannot support.

3. Verifiers get instant trust

One click: verify authenticity, issuer, and revocation status.

4. Privacy is preserved

Zero-Knowledge Proofs ensure users can prove qualifications without revealing unnecessary personal information.

5. Integrates into any identity program via APIs

Identity teams can embed credential issuance and verification directly into:

• Onboarding
• Compliance programs
• Access management
• Public-sector workflows
• Workforce security
• University verification systems

6. Perfect complement to identity proofing platforms

1Kosmos verifies who the person is.

EveryCRED verifies what the person is legitimately qualified to do.

Both layers are now essential.

Why 2026 Will Be the Breakout Year for Verifiable Credentials

1. AI-generated fraud is outpacing document-based verification

Deepfake documents are becoming indistinguishable from originals.

2. Governments moving toward open digital credential ecosystems

India, the EU, US, and APAC markets are investing heavily in verifiable digital public infrastructure.

3. Enterprise compliance is shifting from “check documents” to “verify cryptographically”

Regulators want proof — not paperwork.

4. Workforce mobility demands trusted, portable credentials

Remote hiring, contract work, and global onboarding require verifiable authenticity.

Identity proofing alone can’t address these changes.

1Kosmos vs EveryCRED — Comparison (2026)

Capability	1Kosmos	EveryCRED
Identity proofing	✔ Strong	— Not focus
Credential authenticity	✘ Not provided	✔ Core capability
W3C Verifiable Credentials	✘ Not primary	✔ Native
Revocation checks	✘	✔ Supported
Issuance workflows	✘	✔ Issuer-ready
API-first integration	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Privacy-preserving ZKPs	✘	✔ Supported
Solves document forgery	✘	✔ Yes
Complements identity systems	✔ Yes	✔ Yes

1Kosmos verifies identity.

EveryCRED verifies credentials.

Both are required to eliminate fraud in 2026.

Wrap-up!

Identity proofing platforms like 1Kosmos are essential — but incomplete.

To prevent the next wave of fraud, organizations must verify credentials with the same rigor as identity.

EveryCRED provides that missing credential trust layer.

Identity verifies the person.

Credentials verify the truth.

2026 belongs to organizations that combine both.

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