# Jim Bidzos

> Jim Bidzos is the founder, executive chairman, president and CEO of Verisign. He led RSA Data Security from 1986 to 1999, helped commercialize public-key cryptography, created the RSA Conference in 1991 and launched Verisign in 1995 to provide digital certificate services. His career connects early encryption licensing, the disputes over cryptography policy and the operation of internet naming infrastructure.

- **Role:** Founder, Executive Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Verisign
- **Organizations:** Verisign, RSA Data Security / RSA Security, RSA Conference
- **Known for:** Built RSA Data Security’s commercial business in public-key encryption and authentication., Founded Verisign in 1995., Created the RSA Conference in 1991.

## Career timeline

- **1970s** — Began his career at IBM.
- **1986** — Joined RSA Data Security and began the leadership tenure that continued through February 1999.
- **1989** — Hired Burt Kaliski as RSA’s seventh employee and first full-time cryptographer.
- **1991** — Created the RSA Conference, whose first meeting consisted of one panel.
- **1995** — Founded Verisign as a separate company providing public-key infrastructure and digital certificate services.
- **1998** — Verisign completed its initial public offering on Nasdaq.
- **1999–2002** — Served as vice chairman of RSA Security.
- **2008** — Returned to Verisign executive leadership on an interim basis as the company continued its focus on core businesses.
- **2009** — Became Verisign’s executive chairman in August.
- **2011** — Returned as Verisign CEO in August.
- **2024** — Resumed the Verisign president title in April, alongside CEO and executive chairman responsibilities.
- **2025** — Joined Ron Rivest in presenting Burt Kaliski’s RSA Conference Lifetime Achievement Award.

## Achievements

- Built RSA Data Security’s commercial business in public-key encryption and authentication.
- Founded Verisign in 1995.
- Created the RSA Conference in 1991.
- Named to Time magazine’s Digital 50.
- Inducted into CRN’s Computer Industry Hall of Fame.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — On October 22, Verisign reported third-quarter revenue of $443 million and 182.5 million .com and .net registrations at September 30. Bidzos discussed the .web rollout and the limited beta of Verisign Informed.
- **2026-04** — Verisign’s proxy statement listed Bidzos as executive chairman, president and CEO and a member of the board’s Cybersecurity Committee.
- **2025-04** — Presented Burt Kaliski’s RSA Conference Lifetime Achievement Award with Ron Rivest.

## Links

- Website: https://www.verisign.com/about-us/leadership/jim-bidzos/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-bidzos-437a892b

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jim-bidzos
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-24