Arun is the Director of Engineering Security at Okta. He is a pioneer in the fields of secure engineering and cryptographic resilience, for which he’s received an impressive track record of cybersecurity awards. His pro-active work taking security architecture to the next big thing recently won him the SCRS WUST Global Excellence Award. Elengovan was named the long-form leader recipient of the highly competitive Times Leadership Award for Excellence in Cybersecurity Leadership. The Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, India, gleamed while accepting the award.
With more than 15 years in the field, Elengovan has a wealth of cybersecurity experience. Under his technical leadership, he has guided transformative initiatives in secure software development, advanced cryptography, key management, artificial intelligence (AI), LLM security, cloud security, web security and risk mitigation strategies. His long and impressive career has made him a leader at the frontlines of the cybersecurity landscape.
Elengovan’s expertise reflects through his leadership as a Gartner Information Security Ambassador. He is a honored participant of the unique Forbes Technology Council. His worldwide acclaim reflects his dedication to pushing forward secure engineering practices and technology leadership.
Focus on Quantum-Resistant Systems
The U.S. federal government is seriously investing in moving to quantum-resistant systems. With the Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 for example, by 2035, they hope to reach this goal. This new initiative dovetails neatly with Elengovan’s labors in the world of cryptography. Nevertheless, quantum computing capabilities are moving faster than anyone expected. This advancement issues troubling implications that these machines might soon be able to crack data that is today considered safe. In reality, attackers are today hoovering up encrypted data, ready to use quantum tech on it when they have the capacity and technology available.
Her work requires her to discover and record cryptographic practices in operating systems, commercial products, and their use in third-party networks. His efforts have become deeply important as we build toward a better, brighter future. In this scenario, existing encryption methods could be rendered ineffective due to breakthroughs in quantum technology. This last task has become more pressing due to idea “Z.” It’s a measure of the number of years until quantum computers can practically start breaking our existing cryptographic defenses.
In 2024, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) rolled out equally groundbreaking new federal standards. These are FIPS 203, FIPS 204, and 205. These standards are essential to creating strong quantum-resistant algorithms. Beyond its general process, NIST is advancing specific algorithms such as FALCON and HQC, putting muscle behind diversity across lattice-based, hash-based, and code-based mathematics. Elengovan’s art has become directly intermingled with these advances, as he incorporates these standards into Okta’s evolving security architecture.
Advancements in Cryptography and AI Security
Since 2016, Elengovan has pioneered efforts to bake advanced security measures into the software development life cycle. His initiatives focus on the basics of cybersecurity. They look ahead to new technologies, including AI and machine learning. He uses Role-Based and Attribute-Based Access Controls (RBAC and ABAC) to strengthen security postures. This strategy helps to guarantee that user access is tightly controlled based on their required use and function.
The rapid development of AI technologies poses serious and potentially existential risks to cybersecurity. Elengovan recognizes that while AI can bolster security measures, it can be leveraged by malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities. His strategies focus on creating more resilient and flexible systems, better able to absorb and adjust to these growing dangers.
Elengovan is not only a technical contributor but regularly engages with industry leaders and policymakers. He’s a passionate advocate for robust cybersecurity standards. As a Gartner Information Security Ambassador, he goes above and beyond to share valuable insights. He shapes best practices in the broader cybersecurity community.
Recognition and Future Directions
Elengovan’s recent accolades further highlight his impressive mark on the cybersecurity industry. The SCRS WUST Global Excellence Award demonstrates his highly advanced technical capabilities. At the same time, the Times Leadership Award honors him for his exemplary leadership traits. By advancing collaborative security architecture innovation, he’s led a focus on building and maintaining safer digital ecosystems.
Even as the cybersecurity landscape continues to change, Elengovan is in perpetual pursuit of solving new threats. Developing quantum-resistant solutions will take a concerted effort between industry pioneers, government institutions and research universities, along with an increased safety awareness. His experience at Okta and with the public sector commend him to participating in these discussions as a powerful advocate and ally.
