Intel Corp’s McAfee security division is planning to lay off a “small percentage” of its workforce of about 7,100 employees, a company spokesman said on Monday.<\/p>\n
McAfee spokesman Ian Bain said he could not provide more information about the planned job cuts, which the world’s No. 2 maker of anti-virus software disclosed in response to an inquiry from Reuters.<\/p>\n
Makers are of security software for personal computers are struggling in the midst of a PC industry slump. They could face increased pressure after October 26, when Microsoft Corp launches its Windows 8 operating software, which will be bundled with free anti-virus software.<\/p>\n
Symantec Corp, McAfee’s bigger rival in the anti-virus software market, is in the midst of a strategic review begun in July by the company’s new CEO, Steve Bennett, who took over in July after the board fired his predecessor.<\/p>\n
Cris Paden, a spokesman for Symantec, said the company had no job cuts to announce.<\/p>\n
“We evaluate conditions on an ongoing and regular basis and there are no plans as of right now,” Paden said.<\/p>\n
Intel Corp acquired McAfee, the world’s second-largest security software maker, in February 2011 for $7.7 billion. The division had 7,072 employees as of June 30, according to Bain.<\/p>\n
Intel is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on October 16, while Symantec plans to release its results on October 24.<\/p>\n
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