Intel completes acquisition of McAfee

Intel has completed the acquisition of 7.68 billion from McAfee.

The completion of the transaction, announced yesterday, follows approvals from the various committees of Directors and shareholders, as well as reviews from Federal Trade Commission, the European Commission and other regulatory groups.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel, McAfee will become part of the Software and Services Group, managed by Renee James, senior vice president of the company. McAfee Ceo Dave DeWalt will report directly to James.

McAfee will continue to offer its own branded line of products for safety and keep customers. The two companies, said that during the preparation of the "fruits" of their partnership to hit the market this year.

The need for greater security through greater variety of devices was the driving force behind Intel's offer to collect McAfee.

Pointing to the growing number of connected devices, from PCs to mobile phones to televisions to medical devices, the two companies said that today's approach to security is not enough. And with the growing threat of cyberattacks, you need a new security framework that combines hardware, software and services.

Security itself has become a "third pillar of computing," according to the company, on par with performance and efficiency and connectivity as key elements. Among other ways, Intel is trying to bring security to the Silicon hardware level by integrating it, before the operating system also comes into play. This core approach to security is embedded and mobile products, the company said.

"Security challenges put the potential future of computing at risk," James said in a statement. "The acquisition of McAfee adds not only a leading worldwide security products and technologies in Intel's portfolio of computing, but also brings the incredibly talented people focused on providing products and services that help make the Internet safer and more mobile.

Blogging about the acquisition completed yesterday, DeWalt said that Intel and McAfee will present a webinar in May to discuss how the two will partner with focus on security. McAfee will also have more to say to his security Focus 2011 Conference in October.