Okta was founded in 2009 by Todd McKinnon and Frederic Kerrest, both of whom had previously worked at Salesforce.com. The company started as a platform for managing user identities for cloud-based applications, but quickly expanded to provide comprehensive IAM solutions for all types of applications, including on-premises, mobile, and cloud-based. Today, Okta provides IAM services to more than 10,000 organizations worldwide, including some of the largest and most respected brands in the tech industry.
One of Okta’s key strengths is its ability to integrate with a wide variety of applications and platforms. Okta provides native integrations with more than 5,500 applications, including Microsoft Office 365, G Suite, Salesforce, Workday, and many more. Additionally, Okta’s Application Network allows developers to easily build and integrate custom applications with Okta’s IAM services using pre-built software development kits (SDKs) and APIs.
Another strength of Okta is its focus on security and compliance. Okta uses advanced security features such as multi-factor authentication, adaptive access policies, and risk-based authentication to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive data and applications. Additionally, Okta’s platform is built on a secure infrastructure that has been independently audited and certified to comply with industry standards such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Okta has also made significant investments in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its IAM services. For example, Okta’s Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication feature uses machine learning to analyze user behavior and adapt authentication requirements in real-time based on risk factors such as device, location, and network. This helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access while also minimizing friction for legitimate users.
Looking to the future, Okta sees a significant opportunity in helping organizations transition to a more remote and distributed workforce. With the global COVID-19 pandemic forcing many companies to transition to a work-from-home model, there is an increased need for secure remote access to corporate data and applications. Okta’s IAM solutions can help companies manage user access to applications and data regardless of where they are located, while also providing the necessary security and compliance controls.
Overall, Okta is a leader in the IAM industry, with a proven track record of delivering secure and scalable solutions to organizations of all sizes. With a focus on innovation, security, and customer success, Okta is well-positioned to continue its growth and leadership in the years to come.