Bill Gates is perhaps the most recognizable leader in all of business. Since co-founding Microsoft in 1975, Gates has revolutionized the computer industry, filled the world with Windows software and Xbox consoles, and launched an effort to immunize the world. The tech genius has put so much passion into his philanthropic work lately that Time declared him "Person of the Year" in 2005--along with wife Melinda and Bono from U2.

So what's on the mind of the world's premier software engineer these days? At the annual RSA Conference held in San Diego last February, Gates warned that identity theft and computer-related piracy are hurting the digital "trust ecosystem" and threatening the future of secure digital computing. In particular, Gates lamented the confused state of password management and discussed forthcoming technologies designed to prevent spyware attacks and stolen identity.

During his hour-long speech, Gates urged the industry to adopt four principles to help drive a vision of a secure computing world: a trust ecosystem, security engineering, simplicity, and fundamentally secure platforms. As the chief software architect for Microsoft, Gates assured his audience that the Seattle-based software giant is committed to leading the way toward a safer, more secure digital future.