DeWalt steps down from McAfee

McAfee confirms outgoing CEO is pursuing top job at non-competitive firm

McAfee president Dave DeWalt (pictured) has resigned four months after overseeing the completion of the security vendor's $7.68bn (£4.81bn) sale to Intel.

DeWalt, who has spent more than four years in the hotseat, will be replaced by two co-presidents, Michael DeCesare and Todd Gebhart.

According to a report by Venture Beat, DeWalt is set to take the top job at fast-growing network security outfit Palo Alto, although he will continue as a non-employee member of McAfee's board.

In a statement sent to ChannelWeb, McAfee said: "Dave De Walt has not immediately assumed a new role outside of McAfee, but has announced his intent to pursue a non-competitive CEO role."

Both DeCesare and Gebhart are company insiders, having been with McAfee since 2007 and 1999 respectively. They will take the helm by Q3, reporting directly to Renée James, Intel senior vice president and group general manager and chairman of McAfee subsidiary.

DeWalt said: "I will be leaving McAfee in great hands. We had strong results, a record quarter and a great pipeline of innovation. We have a very strong foundation for the second half of 2011 and I look forward to serving on McAfee's board of directors."