Okta brings on first CIO in effort to unify internal tech strategy

Okta has hired Mike Settle as its first chief information security officer, becoming the latest in a string of young companies looking to develop an internal strategy for tech.

Okta describes Settle as a seven-time CIO, most recently leading the cloud migration efforts for information services company IHS. Prior to IHS, Settle was the CIO of BMC Software, Oxy, Arrow Electronics and Corporate Express.

Launched in 2009 by former Salesforce executives, Okta's software serves as a cloud connector for business needing to link together all of their enterprise applications. The company claims more than 2,500 customers -- including Settle's former employer BMC -- and has recently built out its management team and established a data center in Europe to better target international markets.

By bringing on a CIO, the identity management software provider is aiming to streamline its operations through improved IT infrastructure and more advanced technology options for its employees. In a statement, Settle said Okta's workforce is "incredibly mobile," however teams are often tasked with managing their own IT tools.

Like other relatively young cloud companies, Okta realizes it needs to optimize its own IT stack so it's in a better position for growth.

"I look forward to supporting Okta's team by scaling and integrating our fast growing systems in ways that can increase productivity and deliver strategic value to our business partners," Settle said.

Over the past year, cloud startups such as Box and Workday have both moved to establish a CIO position to improve internal technology operations. The hiring trend also recently touched both Micron and Informatica, along with Juniper Networks.

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