Microsoft nabs another McAfee virus expert

Jimmy Kuo, a former McAfee fellow, will join Microsoft as senior security researcher, a Microsoft representative said in a statement late Monday.

"Microsoft is very pleased that Jimmy Kuo has joined the company as a senior security researcher with the Security Research & Response team," the representative said. "Microsoft looks forward to his contribution to its efforts to help protect customers from evolving threats." Microsoft did not provide any other details on Kuo's hiring.

Kuo joins Vincent Gullotto, former head of McAfee's Antivirus and Vulnerability Emergency Response Team (AVERT) at Microsoft. Gullotto has signed on as general manager of Security Research & Response at Microsoft, the company said last month.

The Security Research & Response group falls under Microsoft's Security Technology Unit, which is responsible for securing the Windows operating system and other Microsoft products. The group is separate from the Microsoft Security Response Center, which deals with security incidents that affect Microsoft products.

Microsoft has been expanding its expertise as it builds out its security business. The company earlier this year launched Windows Live OneCare, a product to protect consumer PCs, and it is readying security products for businesses under its new Forefront brand. Meanwhile, security industry incumbents are fighting Microsoft over protection features in Windows Vista.