# Identity Advocate (in memoriam)

Source: https://startwithidentity.com/experts/vittorio-bertocci/
Last updated: 2026-08-29
License: content by Start with Identity. Cite the source URL.

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## Bio

Vittorio Bertocci spent two decades teaching developers how identity protocols actually work. His books, talks, and the long-running "Identity, Unlocked" podcast made OAuth and OpenID Connect comprehensible to a generation of engineers. He worked at Microsoft for many years before joining Auth0, then Okta after the acquisition.

Vittorio passed away in 2023. The community continues his podcast and educational legacy.

Profile built from public press and the Identity, Unlocked podcast archive.

## Where their work shows up

Bertocci's teaching is why a generation of developers understand the difference between an [ID token](https://startwithidentity.com/glossary/id-token/) and an [access token](https://startwithidentity.com/glossary/access-token/), which remains the single most common source of authentication bugs. His explanations of [OpenID Connect](https://startwithidentity.com/standards/openid-connect/) and [claims](https://startwithidentity.com/glossary/claims/) validation are still the clearest starting point.