David Hook

David co-founded and helps develop Bouncy Castle, turning cryptographic standards into reusable components for application developers, including teams in government, enterprise and regulated industries. Maintained libraries and independently validated modules support dependable security implementation. Writing and speaking about open-source sustainability also draw attention to the resources needed to keep important software dependencies secure over time.

David Hook is a co-founder of Bouncy Castle and VP of Software Engineering at Crypto Workshop, based in Melbourne, Australia. As co-founder and lead developer of the Bouncy Castle cryptography project, David helps maintain open-source libraries for encryption, digital signatures and secure communication. The project’s first Java release appeared in 2000, and the libraries now support Java, C# and Kotlin, giving application developers practical ways to implement security standards.

Bouncy Castle bridges everyday software development and formal security assurance. In 2024, the project’s Java module received FIPS 140-3 certification, validating the software against a US government standard for cryptographic security. The libraries also support post-quantum cryptography to protect information against attacks using quantum computers, helping engineering teams navigate complex requirements as standards change.

David also contributes to the wider ecosystem through writing, speaking and community governance. A 2024 panel appearance at “What’s Next for Open Source?” addressed sustainable development and the resources maintainers need. A published reflection explored those themes, alongside a 2025 anniversary article documenting Bouncy Castle’s history. In addition, membership of the OpenSSL Corporation provides a governance role within another central cryptographic software community.