Alan DeKok began his path from the lecture halls of Carleton University, in Ottawa. Today, he is one of the most influential people in the security of our internet. Looking back, DeKok says he was first attracted to the study of physics because of his love for math, especially the practical, real-world uses for it. A series of serendipitous events have contributed to his amazing professional career. Along the way he’s gone deep on the topic of remote authentication. Though he didn’t mean to, he created this role, but it has really revolutionized the way millions have access to the internet.
It was this early interest in science that prompted DeKok’s pursuit of a potentially groundbreaking project for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. We created a highly advanced water-purification system. It was very stringent, at one impurity atom per cubic meter of water. It was not without challenges. DeKok routinely woke up at 4:30 a.m. to drive two kilometers underground to work in one of the world’s deepest clean-room facilities.
The Birth of FreeRADIUS
During his time working on the observatory, DeKok started working on FreeRADIUS in his free time. This open-source software project, over the years, would “take over my life,” as he wrote later on. FreeRADIUS started as a side project, but it has grown into an important part of the internet security ecosystem. Today it’s an essential lifeline for roughly 100 million people daily.
DeKok shared his serendipitous journey into the world of remote authentication, crediting a lot of his chance success to luck. Three lessons stood out. First, the advantage of being prepared and just open enough to take advantage of new opportunities.
“I really believe that it’s preparing yourself for luck, being open to it, and having the skills to capitalize on it.” – Alan DeKok
In the field of cybersecurity, luck is counted on a lot. For DeKok, understanding the intricacies of how protocols function within broader systems has proven vital in explaining their significance to standards bodies.
“You have to understand the big picture,” – Alan DeKok
Career Evolution and Major Contributions
DeKok’s career as a computer professional kicked off in earnest when he became a software developer for Gandalf in 1996. Gandalf created technology for ISDN, a first generation broadband that allowed digital information to travel over phone lines. Through this experience, he developed the foundation for his later private-sector ventures.
Following Gandalf, DeKok went to CryptoCard, where he worked extensively with hardware devices for two-factor authentication. His work there allowed him to become even more specialized and focused in cybersecurity and remote access technologies. In 2008, he founded NetworkRADIUS, now rebranded as InkBridge Networks. It is hard to overstate this company’s importance to our online security today.
His contributions have had far-reaching implications. DeKok estimates that billions of dollars worth of equipment relies on RADIUS technology. His matter-of-fact declaration is unequivocal: “It’s not going away.”
“I’d say at least half of the people in the world get on the internet by being authenticated through my software,” – Alan DeKok
Insights from a Unique Career Path
Through these experiences, DeKok has gained a unique perspective, particularly on the relationship between physics and engineering. He observed that many techniques that came naturally to him from physics were not as well understood by some engineers he encountered in the industry.
“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,” – Alan DeKok
Floyd’s perspective underscores the value of a variety of educational experiences in technological industries. While his journey began with physics, it was his ability to adapt and apply scientific principles in practical scenarios that led him to success.