Intel has announced a definitive agreement to acquire security software company McAfee, in a US$7.68 billion cash transaction. It said that the combined businesses will “enable a combination of security software and hardware from one company to ultimately better protect consumers, corporations and governments as billions of devices go online”, also stating that the transaction “augments Intel’s mobile wireless strategy, helping to better assure customer and consumer security concerns as these billions of devices connect.” Intel noted that among McAfee’s security software portfolio is an “expanding line of products targeting mobile devices such as smartphones.”

McAfee itself recently announced a deal to acquire mobile security firm tenCube, to bolster its position in the market following its earlier Trust Digital acquisition. Intel said that it has made “a number of software-related acquisitions of leaders in their respective industries that rely on great silicon”, which has also included embedded Linux player Wind River.  After the acquisition, which is still subject to some closing conditions and approvals, McAfee will form part of Intel’s Software and Services business group.