Alan DeKok, an accidental security crusader whose work towards a more secure internet impacts millions every day. Alan’s early years were shaped by growing strawberries and raspberries on a farm located just outside Canada’s capitol. His heart was really in technology, and in the fledgling world of 8-bit computers. His curiosity compelled him to study physics at Carleton University in Ottawa. This decision would lead him to surprisingly find himself on the front lines of network security.
During his time at Carleton University, DeKok invented an innovative water-purification system. As part of his master’s degree, he invented this new technology for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. Each of these projects set an incredibly high bar, with the goal of one atom of impurity per cubic meter of water. It reflects his ability to take on complex scientific problems. His curiosity did not end with physics. At the time, he dove into a side project in network security that would go on to reshape the trajectory of his career.
The Birth of FreeRADIUS
In 1996, Alan DeKok started FreeRADIUS on the side. This open-source software became critical infrastructure for network authentication and has grown tremendously in the years since. Today, it is the legal foundation for smart systems that 100 million people use every day. DeKok’s contributions to FreeRADIUS launched him on a 27-year-long adventure in cybersecurity that he never expected.
Looking back on his career, DeKok emphasized the importance of network security in all aspects of our day-to-day online activities. He stated, “I’d say at least half of the people in the world get on the internet by being authenticated through my software.” His software does the often invisible but crucial security things that nobody thinks about until a hack happens. “You need it, but you never think about it until there’s a crack in it,” he added.
In 2008, continuing the momentum stretched from his work with FreeRADIUS, DeKok established NetworkRADIUS which today operates under the name InkBridge Networks. His depth of knowledge and exposure to every corner of the market and product landscape in cybersecurity has enabled him to begin innovating in entirely new ways.
Lessons from Physics
DeKok attributes his upbringing in the field of physics to informing his approach to finding creative solutions. He described how physics had trained him to break down complicated problems into their component parts in order to come up with the best solution. “You really need the long view,” he insisted, stressing the value of big-picture thinking in scientific and technical fields.
Additionally, he admitted that his own path from physics to cybersecurity was a bit by chance. “I became an expert in remote authentication almost by accident,” he noted. This flexibility gave him the freedom to apply scientific principles in unconventional ways that perhaps no other engineer could have done. “When I was eventually working in the industry, the techniques that came naturally to me, coming out of physics, didn’t seem to be taught as well to the people I knew in engineering,” he remarked.
DeKok’s approach goes beyond quick-fix projects. He has faith in the power of incremental improvements to add up over time. “You shouldn’t underestimate that ratchet effect of tiny little fixes that add up over time,” he asserted. This philosophy has informed not only his work at FreeRADIUS but also inside of InkBridge Networks.
Looking Ahead
DeKok’s story—from a farm in Ottawa to one of the key players in protecting the internet infrastructure—was fascinating, entertaining and sometimes mind-blowing. He’s still dedicated to pushing the envelope in the field. He hasn’t tired of developing FreeRADIUS and wants to keep looking for ways to grow and improve both his project and his business.
Indeed, “People ask me, ‘What about RADIUS next?’ I don’t think this is the end of RADIUS,” he said on a high note. His commitment to improving network security means that users around the globe will keep reaping the rewards of his creativity and passion.