Intel to let go of a 'small percentage' of McAfee employees

Chip manufacturer Intel is to let go of a "small percentage" of the workforce at its McAfee computer security business.

Intel completed its acquisition of McAfee in February 2011 for $7.7bn (£4.8bn). At the time, Renée James, who managed the Intel Software and Services Group that incorporates McAfee, said that McAfee "brings incredibly talented people focused on delivering products and services that help make connecting to the mobile internet safer and more secure".

Now, nearly two years after the acquisition, an Intel spokesman told Thomson Reuters that the firm is to let go of a "small percentage" of its staff.

Although the spokesman did not disclose further details, he confirmed that the McAfee division within Intel had 7,072 employees as of 30 June.

McAfee is under increased pressure from vendors that offer advanced security tools, as enterprises seek to thwart threats that anti-virus software cannot combat, while also struggling because of an overall PC sales slump.

Intel, meanwhile, could come under increased pressure from ARM vendors from 26 October, when Microsoft is to launch Windows RT, the Windows 8 operating system for ARM devices such as tablets.

The chip manufacturer is scheduled to release its Q3 earnings on 16 October. These earnings were revised down on its latest revenue forecasts.