Okta’s Investment in Local Platforms: Enhancing Identity Governance for AI in India
In a strategic move to bridge the AI security gap, Okta, Inc. has announced a significant investment in the Indian market, focusing on identity governance for AI-driven enterprises. This initiative involves the launch of in-country Okta Platform tenants, which will enhance data residency and provide improved disaster recovery options.
Addressing the Needs of Regulated Sectors
Okta’s investment is particularly beneficial for highly regulated sectors, including banking, financial services, insurance, and healthcare. These industries are increasingly adopting AI technologies, yet they face challenges in maintaining security and governance. Research from Okta indicates that while 91% of organizations are utilizing AI agents, only 10% have developed a comprehensive strategy for managing non-human identities. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for effective identity governance in the age of AI.
Okta’s Identity Security Fabric
To address this growing concern, Okta has introduced its identity security fabric, which provides a centralized control plane for managing all identities—both human and AI—across various applications and use cases. Stephanie Barnett, VP of Presales and Interim GM at Okta APJ, emphasized that traditional perimeter-based security approaches are inadequate as AI agents integrate into the workforce. Okta’s solution aims to protect every identity with equal diligence.
Key Benefits for Indian Customers
With the establishment of local Okta Platform tenants on AWS, Indian customers can now benefit from:
- Data Residency and Compliance Support: Organizations can store identity data within India, adhering to internal policies and regulations such as the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act).
- Securing the AI Frontier: In-country tenants will enable businesses to utilize Okta’s identity security fabric, offering protection against emerging AI-powered cyber threats.
- Enhanced Disaster Recovery: Okta’s advanced business continuity services will ensure that customers remain secure and operational during regional infrastructure outages.
Both new and existing Okta customers will be able to deploy services in the India region starting early 2026.
The Importance of Identity Security in Digital Transformation
As AI agents revolutionize workplace operations, they also introduce new identity and security challenges. According to Shakeel Khan, RVP and Country Manager of Okta India, securing every identity has become critical for enterprises, especially in regulated sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, and Healthcare. Okta’s identity security fabric aims to empower organizations to protect sensitive data and identities effectively within India’s borders.
About Okta
Okta, Inc. is recognized as The World’s Identity Company™. The company specializes in securing identities to ensure that everyone can safely utilize technology. Okta’s solutions empower businesses and developers to harness the power of identity, driving security, efficiency, and success while safeguarding users, employees, and partners.
