Alan DeKok, one-time physicist, now turned network security guru. His seminal work for internet security has made the online world safer for millions of users around the world. Growing up on a farm outside Ottawa, where he cultivated strawberries and raspberries, DeKok’s early interests leaned more towards technology than agriculture. His interest in those 8-bit computers led to an early love of technology. That passion informed a career that helped change the way millions of Americans connected to the internet.
DeKok’s academic journey started at Carleton University in Ottawa, where he earned a master’s degree in physics. He worked long hours in the lab and on the books creating a pioneering water-purification system for the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory. The purity of his efforts saw only one atom of impurity per cubic meter of water. Upon graduating, he decided to go in a different direction — one that was developing quickly — and pursued a career in network security.
A Shift in Focus
On a side note, in 1996, Alan DeKok started his career as a software developer at Gandalf. At the time, they were best known for developing equipment that powered ISDN connections, an early type of broadband technology. Even though Gandalf would meet a tragic fate in his own right, DeKok’s love for tech was unstoppable. He moved over to CryptoCard, a company that focused on hardware token devices for two factor authentication.
“Everyone always says, ‘What’s next for RADIUS?’ It’s not going to go away, I really don’t think so,” DeKok said in reflection, proof of his strong commitment to the industry. After his time at CryptoCard, he worked on a side project that would change the landscape of network security: FreeRADIUS.
DeKok had founded FreeRADIUS in 1996, and over the years it had slowly taken the center of his life. The software took off like wildfire. By the time it was fully adopted, 100 million people were using it every day. This extraordinary expansion was a testimony to the growing demand for strong authentication solutions as the use of the internet exploded.
Building an Empire in Network Security
NetworkRADIUS, now called InkBridge Networks, was founded in 2008 by Alan DeKok. Since that time, the company has grown its international presence, with experts now on staff in Canada, France, and the UK. Collectively, they foster FreeRADIUS and pave new paths in the burgeoning field of network security.
DeKok would put that number higher, estimating that at least 70 percent of the world’s population now has internet connectivity. For that connection, they depend on transit systems authenticated by his software. This statistic is a testament to the depth of his far-reaching influence on ensuring security across the internet. “You want secure authentication, but you don’t think about it until it’s too late,” he continued. He reinforced the essential role of this underappreciated factor.
His commitment to improving network security is evident not just in his professional endeavors but in his belief that small, consistent improvements can lead to significant progress. “You shouldn’t underestimate that ratchet effect of tiny little fixes that add up over time,” he explained.
Future Endeavors and Philosophy
Looking forward, Alan DeKok intends on keeping FreeRADIUS on its forward trajectory, while branching out into new markets and products. Yet those very experiences helped crystallize his understanding of success as opportunity. “I really believe that it’s preparing yourself for luck, being open to it, and having the skills to capitalize on it,” he stated.
From a farm in Ottawa to a leader in network security, DeKok reminisced on his journey. He seems to have a great appreciation for the need to connect all these dots and look beyond the immediate future. “You need to see beyond the trees to the forest,” he told them, pointing out how the combination of technical skills with strategic vision is a new reality of the tech world.
Despite his accomplishments, DeKok remains grounded. He humorously recalls his time on the farm: “Sitting on a tractor in the heat is not particularly interesting.” It’s his unique mix of humility and ambition that powers his humble firecracker drive. He is on a mission to make the internet a safer place for users all over the world.