McAfee to sack staff

Intel's McAfee security division is planning to lay off a "small percentage" of its workforce, a company spokesman said on Monday.

McAfee spokesman Ian Bain said he could not provide more information about the planned job cuts. McAfee currently employes around 7100 staff worldwide.

Makers 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 launches its Windows 8 operating software, which will be bundled with free anti-virus software.

Symantec, 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.

Cris Paden, a spokesman for Symantec, said the company had no job cuts to announce.

"We evaluate conditions on an ongoing and regular basis and there are no plans as of right now," Paden said.

Intel acquired McAfee, the world's second-largest security software maker, in February 2011 for $US7.7 billion. The division had 7072 employees as of June 30, according to Bain.

Intel is scheduled to release quarterly earnings on October 16.