Open Letter to Technology Leaders

As the CEO and Co-founder of AKA Identity, I am writing to you today to talk about our modern trust boundary: identity.

The cybersecurity and technology landscape is ever-evolving, and one constant truth is that identity has become ingrained in our roles and responsibilities. It has emerged as one of the most significant drivers for growth within the security community. I believe that by focusing on identity, you can gain an unparalleled advantage in your technology strategy.

During my tenure as a venture capitalist, I have had the privilege of coaching and learning from countless CISOs, CIOs, CTOs, CFOs, CEOs, co-founders, & board members. This experience has reinforced one of my life's missions: supporting as many individuals as possible in their career journeys, especially where my network is deepest in cybersecurity. I have seen firsthand how challenging and multi-functional the CISO role can be, and the complexity of roles they collaborate with. I've brought on multiple technology operators to join me in building the future of identity. I am dedicated to providing the tools and guidance needed to navigate these cross-functional challenges successfully.

Focusing on identity provides a unique opportunity for security and IT teams to align on a common goal. This alignment fosters collaboration and ensures that both departments work seamlessly to enable the organization. Security and operations within your organization will undoubtedly improve as we embrace identity-centric improvements, creating a more cohesive and resilient defense against threats.

Identity is not just an important aspect of cybersecurity—it is often the most critical. Many threats we face today have an identity component, making it one of the highest priorities for a CISO. 80% of all breaches use compromised identities, and another report from earlier this year found identity-based incidents accounted for 64% of all incidents investigated. When we strengthen our identity operations and management practices, we can significantly increase our resilience to security incidents and transform business agility.

When I co-founded AKA Identity, my goal was to fill a critical gap in identity management. However, my vision extended beyond simply addressing a technical need. I wanted to create a platform that would support the careers of technology leaders like you. I understand the immense pressure and responsibility that come with your role, and I am committed to providing solutions that make your job more manageable and effective.

In conclusion, I encourage you to prioritize identity within your operations and cybersecurity strategies. It is a crucial component of our defense mechanisms and a significant opportunity for collaboration and growth within your organization. Together, we can build a more secure future and support the careers of those who dedicate themselves to enabling our digital world.

Thank you for your continued dedication and leadership.

Sincerely,

Will(iam) Lin

CEO and Co-founder

AKA Identity