Alan DeKok’s path started on a subsistence farm 45 miles west of the capital. Now, as the one-time physicist and network security whiz, he’s at the helm of one of the most ambitious undertakings in internet security. Having spent her childhood surrounded by the family’s strawberry and raspberry farms, DeKok’s formative years were submerged in this agricultural sphere. Along the way, he found his real passion—technology. The experience of writing software for 8-bit computers was what really sparked his enthusiasm and launched him on a spectacular, amazing career.
After high school, DeKok moved first to Canada to attend Carleton University in Ottawa, where he completed his undergraduate studies in physics. He has since finished that journey with a master’s degree. While there, he was instrumental in the design of a water-purification system to be used within the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, an underground laboratory built within a nickel mine. For this project, he reached a remarkable limit of one atom of impurity per cubic meter of water. This achievement is a testament to his technical prowess and creativity.
His fascination with technology extended beyond physics. During his time in that master’s program, DeKok delved into the realm of network security. That passion led to an accomplished 27-year career in the industry. What began as a side project grew into a full-time devotion. He took up the leadership of the FreeRADIUS project, which nearly 100 million people utilize every single day to authenticate to the Internet.
A Journey from Physics to Network Security
DeKok’s leap from the realm of physics to the world of network security wasn’t necessarily a straightforward one. Reflecting on his early experiences, he remarked, “Sitting on a tractor in the heat is not particularly interesting.” This feeling became the driving passion behind his need to break into the then fledgling field of computers and technology.
After finishing school, DeKok took a leap into the world of technology. He noticed a gap in the skill sets among his peers, stating, “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.” This epiphany led him deeper into network security, a field in which he found a place to utilize his analytical mind with a penchant for problem-solving.
In 2008, DeKok started up NetworkRADIUS, which is now called InkBridge Networks. His leadership and vision have propelled the FreeRADIUS project, which is a key component enabling internet connectivity around the world. He estimates that “at least half of the people in the world get on the internet by being authenticated through my software.” To really illustrate just how far his work has gone, consider this incredible statistic.
The Impact of FreeRADIUS
FreeRADIUS is one of the most popular open-source RADIUS servers in the world. It is curated by an international team of specialists from Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. DeKok’s dedication to this project has made it not only an effective tool, but one that will continue to improve over the years.
The complicated world of network security is such that users don’t realize its importance until after a security attack has happened. DeKok encapsulated this sentiment by stating, “You need it, but you never think about it until there’s a crack in it.” His commitment to modest but impactful improvements demonstrates his faith in the idea that donut wisdom resides in the power of just-in-time, ongoing improvement. He noted, “you shouldn’t underestimate that ratchet effect of tiny little fixes that add up over time,” highlighting how incremental changes can lead to substantial advancements.
Together, DeKok’s research and innovation has placed him at the leading edge of internet security advancement. Thirdly, he knows that innovation to change old ways of thinking is needed to meet the new challenges that the digital space presents. He stated, “You have to understand the big picture,” emphasizing that effective solutions require a comprehensive view of security dynamics.
Looking Ahead
As DeKok is finding as he continues to lead FreeRADIUS, the future for FreeRADIUS is clear. He plans to expand into additional markets and product areas, all while staying true to the founding tenets of the project. “People ask me, ‘What’s next for RADIUS?’ I don’t see it dying,” he asserted with confidence.
His life from the farm to the forefront of cybersecurity reflects the rich mosaic of backgrounds that lead to a fulfilling purpose-driven career. DeKok is an advocate for being open to opportunities and having the skills to be able to take advantage of them. “I really believe that it’s preparing yourself for luck, being open to it, and having the skills to capitalize on it,” he explained.