The company recently announced a pact with Microsoft to integrate its security services into Windows, and is making deals with major telecom carriers for its communications services. VeriSign also was hired by EPCglobal to run a new RFID-based directory, and the company just introduced the Open Authentication Reference Architecture (OATH), a proposed open framework for authenticating users and controlling access to corporate networks. (See David Berlind's commentary on OATH.)

But, VeriSign's path to become a dominant Internet utility is not without significant roadblocks. Sclavos is at odds many of the Internet pioneers and governing bodies in pushing for a more commercialized Internet infrastructure. "A transition needs to occur, going from purely academic and public sector funded to something that is now a mix in between," Sclavos said in our interview. "The statistics are saying it's going commercial in a big way. It is the foundation for our economy in the next couple of decades. We are at that incredible pivotal point where we have to make a transition to commercial entities running this and having the ability to create innovative new products and get paid for them."