Microsoft hires McAfee antivirus veteran

Vincent Gullotto

Gullotto, former head of McAfee's Antivirus and Vulnerability Emergency Response Team, AVERT, will be general manager of Security Research & Response at Microsoft, a representative for the software giant said Wednesday.

"Microsoft is very excited that Vincent Gullotto will be joining Microsoft," the representative said. "We look forward to working with him in his new role." Microsoft did not provide any other details about Gullotto's hiring.

Gullotto, who left McAfee earlier this year, is well regarded in the antivirus industry. His appointment at Microsoft will add credibility to the company's push into the security realm. Microsoft launched its first consumer antivirus product, Windows Live OneCare, late May and is readying an enterprise offering called Forefront Client Security.

"Gullotto's a good pickup for Microsoft," said Yankee Group Analyst Andrew Jaquith. "It signifies Microsoft's seriousness in the security market, it shows they are in the game to win."

Microsoft's Security Research & Response group falls under the companies 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 and is also part of the STU.

Gullotto has spoken around the world, serving as the primary spokesperson for McAfee AVERT.