Security and sustainability through people, processes, and technology

This is the third in our blog series on trust/security and human rights. Visit our first blog, Beyond Compliance: Elevating Okta’s ESG with security and trust, to learn more about Vice President of Security Trust and& Culture Ben King’s take on what trust means to him, his team’s mandate, and more. Visit our second blog, 3 ways Okta can help you improve your security posture and respect privacy-forward human rights, for more on how we contribute to the global cyber community.

As noted in previous blogs in this series, identity is — and continues to be — the connection between people and technology and is the front door to all digital interactions.

Securing critical infrastructure enables sustainable business practices and respect for human rights like privacy. Okta supports our customers in securing their critical infrastructure. Okta customers include organizations that provide transportation, healthcare, education, and utilities that enable communities to access a common standard, such as mobility, health, or energy. The purpose of Okta’s Social and Environmental Responsibility at Okta (ESG) program is to foster responsible and sustainable business practices across all aspects of the company that positively impact society and contribute to Okta’s financial success.

A unified approach to securing your critical infrastructure

Advancements in technology have left many organizations supporting diverse digital ecosystems. These tech stacks include a mix of technologies ranging from on-premises to cloud computing, legacy, and new integrations, whose complex use cases complicate introducing effective security measures. Given today’s evolving threat climate, prioritizing high-assurance security for complex critical infrastructure should be top of mind.

Strategizing efficient security for critical infrastructure should consist of comprehensive, methodical controls involving various defence levels. Effective identity management and ESG programs align people, processes, and technology for a unified approach to security risk management.

People

Okta keeps people safe. Okta’s vision is to free everyone to safely use any technology. “Everyone” means ensuring digital access for all. “Safely” means secure access and protecting the right to privacy. In an increasingly digital world, where our lives are moving online for employment, banking, health, education, commerce, and more, the role of trust and a secure digital identity has only increased. Okta champions our nearly 20,000 customers to safely secure their digital identities.

Also, people — employees, customers, and communities — who contribute to shaping and developing a culture of ethical intentionality are at the core of identity management and ESG programs. By aligning people’s personal values with organizational goals, such as security controls, privacy, sustainability efforts, and more, people become drivers of positive change that can have lasting societal impacts.

Including voices across various teams and regions amplifies collaboration, improves transparency, and cultivates an environment of ownership. People and their buy-in play a critical role in a successful ESG program. At Okta, we’re committed to empowering our people with the support of a deliberate contribution to social and environmental responsibility and human rights by being Always Secure. Always On.

Processes

Approaching organizational processes with a sustainability and security mindset is crucial to the success of these programs. In today’s technology landscape, it’s crucial to implement systematic processes and enforce security controls to protect sensitive data, assets, and systems.

Many organizations gather and process sensitive data and personally identifiable information that must remain secure and protected from unauthorized access. Introducing conscious processes, such as paperless strategies to reduce waste and associated greenhouse gas emissions, can lead to significant societal changes at scale. Processes become more efficient by leveraging secure technology and automating repeat tasks, which can then free up resources for additional innovation.

A few of the ways we’re putting ESG and security first as it relates to processes involve the following themes:

Risk management

The intentional management of risks is critical for security and sustainability and involves identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential threats. Employing intentional methodologies contributes significantly to reducing reputational risk and the potential for negative financial performance and sustainability arising from ESG factors.

Resilience

Okta’s crisis management planning factors in various natural disasters or man-made events. By adapting, evolving, and responding as required, we maintain geographical Business Continuity and disaster recovery capacity with strong technological resilience. Okta Customers can download our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) from the Security Trust Center.

Compliance

With regulations becoming more stringent and threats emerging at an alarming rate, achieving regulatory compliance is of high importance. From both an ESG and a security lens, setting goals over and above regulatory compliance standards can lead to an even more sustainable, secure organization.

Technology

Today’s technology companies have a responsibility to implement and maintain robust security practices for strict user privacy and data protection in alignment with the core principles of ESG and respect for privacy. Sustainable, secure technology requires considering long-term ecological and environmental impacts. From facilitating a remote workforce to identifying resource optimization opportunities, technology can be used to drive transparency and accountability outcomes.

Organizations leverage technological innovations in their day-to-day operations and share a fundamental corporate responsibility to provide solutions to Earth’s environmental challenges. Of particular concern is the huge energy consumption required by the rapid demand growth for AI services. Innovation that supports the environment and leverages sustainable practices is key.

Some other challenges we’re currently facing range from:

• The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and associated impacts on reduced air quality
• Human health, by introducing more clean, renewable energy
• Building resilience to address and respond to the increasing frequency and severity of climate disasters like extreme heat, droughts, fires, and floods 

Looking ahead

A comprehensive approach factoring in people, processes, and technology is key to effective identity management and ESG programs. Okta continues to prioritize identity security — freeing everyone to safely use any technology — and meaningfully contributing to positive change in our communities via our ESG programs and philanthropic commitments.

To learn more about how Okta for Good contributed to building a safely connected world, read the recently released 2025 Okta for Good Impact Report. To learn more about Okta’s key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures, visit the FY2024 ESG Fact Sheet, and keep watch for a new version in fall 2025.