Okta has announced a major expansion of its India operations with a substantial investment aimed at strengthening its R&D capabilities and scaling its physical footprint in Bengaluru. The move comes at a pivotal moment, as AI adoption accelerates sharply across industries—yet enterprises continue to face a widening security gap when deploying AI agents.
According to Okta’s latest research, 91% of companies already have AI agents in production, but only 10% have a security framework in place to manage and authenticate these non-human identities. Analysts warn that without modern identity controls, up to 40% of AI agent deployments could fail by 2027, underscoring identity as the new frontline of the AI era.
Identity as the Foundation of AI Security
Stephanie Barnett, VP Presales and Interim GM, APJ, emphasized that identity is emerging as the core defensive layer for AI-driven enterprises:
“More than half of organisations now see modern identity and access management as their most critical defense in the AI era. India’s digital ambition is unmatched, and by deepening our presence in Bengaluru, we’re uniquely positioned to help customers innovate safely as they embrace GenAI and agentic AI.”
The expanded Bengaluru facility will accelerate the development of Okta’s Identity Security Fabric, focusing on securing both human and non-human identities. India has become central to Okta’s innovation engine, with its local team growing to 700 employees since 2023. The company plans to expand its India workforce by 50% in 2026, with an emphasis on deep-tech engineering and product development roles.
Driving Global Innovation from India
Engineering teams in Bengaluru are contributing to Okta’s global initiatives, developing advanced capabilities such as Policy Recommender, Governance Analyzer, ITP, and new solutions aimed at securing non-human identities—an emerging challenge as AI agents proliferate across enterprise environments.
Shakeel Khan, Regional Vice President & Country Manager, Okta India, noted:
“Our expansion in Bengaluru is about amplifying our ability to innovate at the speed of AI. This facility will be the engine that builds the identity layer of the future, helping secure the expanded identity surface created by AI agents.”
Strengthening India’s Role in Global AI Growth
The expansion reinforces India’s strategic position as a global technology and innovation hub. As enterprises unify identity systems and modernize security foundations, Okta aims to support national digital transformation efforts through its partner-first strategy, collaborating closely with Sonata, Softcell, ACPL, and 22By7 to drive identity-led transformation across the country.
With India advancing rapidly toward an AI-powered economy, Okta’s increased investment and R&D footprint will support enterprises in securing AI at scale—ensuring a trusted and resilient digital future.