Feeling left out, Intel buys McAfee. Suddenly Security seems important and becomes a pillar alongside energy-efficient performance and connectivity. 

Intel Buys Cyber Security Giant McAfee For $7.68 Billion In Cash

Intel has just bought computer and software security company McAfee  according to a release issued  this morning. The all cash deal is worth $7.68 billion, or $48 per share. See the release below.

According the statement issued by Intel, McAfee will continue to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary, reporting into Intel’s Software and Services Group. Intel says the “acquisition enables a combination of security software and hardware from one company to ultimately better protect consumers, corporations and governments as billions of devices – and the server and cloud networks that manage them – go online.”

McAfee is one of the largest security technology companies in the world and saw $2 billion in revenue in 2009. Cyber security, whether it be on computers or mobile devices, is a lucrative business as internet use is on the rise. And McAfee also offers smartphone security software, through the recent acquisitions of Trust Digital and TenCube.  Clearly, Intel wants a piece of the pie.

In fact, in the release, Intel’s president and CEO Paul Otellin called security the “third pillar of what people demand from all computing experiences,” behind energy-efficient performance and connectivity.