After Intel Corp. acquired antivirus and security software designer McAfee, it was only a matter of time before the two introduce security solutions that will rely on unique hardware by Intel and software by McAfee. At the Intel Developer Forum, Intel and McAfee announced a number of new hardware assisted software security solutions.

At IDF the two companies introduced McAfee's new DeepSAFE technology platform that works with  VTx hardware capabilities found in the Intel Core i3, i5, i7 and other VPro-enabled processors. DeepSAFE technology provides new levels of security and a different vantage point by operating below the operating system. This technology will launch in a McAfee enterprise product later this year. Intel is working with McAfee on a roadmap of security solutions that extend across the spectrum of computing from embedded devices to the cloud.

Next-generation ultrabooks, notebooks and desktop computers can benefit from the collaborative effort between Intel and McAfee to jointly develop a McAfee anti-theft service for ultrabooks. Available in 2012, the McAfee solution will be the first to take advantage of Intel chip-level technologies and will provide device and data protection for consumers such as device lock, data wipe and location tracking.

Intel already has a number of unique security capabilities built into its microprocessors. Unfortunately, since some parts of those technologies are not certified or standardized, they are not used by many vendors of security software or devices at the moment. The acquisition of McAfee allows Intel to popularize its exclusive technologies since other vendors of security software will simply need to adopt similar technologies in order to successfully compete with McAfee. Naturally, with better integration between software and hardware, new security models can be enabled in general.

Earlier this year McAfee denied plans to create hardware-based antivirus software.

Tags: Intel, McAfee, Core, Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge