• Okta has appointed Shakeel Khan as Regional VP and Country Manager for India, aiming to expand its presence in the country’s growing cybersecurity market.
  • With 27 years of cybersecurity experience, Khan will lead Okta’s India sales operations from Bangalore, focusing on secure identity solutions.
  • Okta India has tripled its workforce since 2023, with plans to exceed 500 employees by 2025, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian market.

Okta has appointed Shakeel Khan as its Regional Vice President and Country Manager for India, reinforcing its focus on secure identity solutions and expanding its presence in the region. Khan, who brings 27 years of experience in cybersecurity, will lead Okta’s sales operations in India from Bangalore.

In his new role, Khan will oversee Okta’s growth as a provider of secure digital transformation solutions for Indian enterprises. His background spans pre-sales and enterprise sales leadership, covering various aspects of the cybersecurity ecosystem.

Ben Goodman, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Okta APJ, expressed support for Khan’s appointment, highlighting its importance in the evolving security landscape. He stated that Okta is pleased to have Shakeel Khan join the company at a time when businesses are increasingly seeking reliable identity solutions.

Goodman emphasized Okta’s strong commitment to the Indian market, noting that over 19,000 customers globally rely on the company’s services. He added that Khan’s technical expertise and strategic vision would contribute to Okta’s continued growth.

Khan highlighted the growing cybersecurity challenges that organizations face.

“We are seeing the threat landscape continuing to get more sophisticated, affecting businesses across the spectrum. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the talented team at Okta, to deliver exceptional value to our customers with secure identity solutions. I look forward to contributing to Okta’s growth and success while working with some of the brightest minds in the industry,” he stated.

Since launching its India operations in 2023, Okta has significantly expanded its workforce, growing from an initial team to over 300 employees. The company aims to surpass 500 employees by 2025.

India remains a strategic market for Okta, with the country’s developer base projected to outgrow that of the U.S. by 2027. Additionally, over 75% of IT spending in India is expected to be directed through partners, aligning with Okta’s partner-first approach.

As part of this strategy, Okta collaborates with key regional partners, including Savex, ACPL, 22by7, and Valuepoint, to enhance its market reach and strengthen identity security offerings in India.

Edited by Harshajit Sarmah