McAfee has been joined in the fight against cybercrime by the computer chip manufacturer Intel Corporation Inc.

As the newest member of The McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime Advisory Council, Intel is said by the computer security company to be well-versed in the areas of cybercrime and defense, and is able to provide best practices from a real-world perspective.

McAfee created The McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime Advisory Council to ensure its initiatives are sustainable by harnessing the insights and energy of leaders who have already made a difference in this critical area. Former White House Cybersecurity Adviser Howard A. Schmidt chairs the global group.

Representing Intel on the council is Steve Grobman, director of cybersecurity technology and initiatives at Intel Corporation. He leads a team responsible for all aspects of security related to Intel products which includes the development of platform technologies that address current and future security challenges, as well as security assurance and policy.

The McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime was first announced in October 2008 as a wide ranging initiative aimed at closing critical gaps in the fight against cybercrime. It is anchored by a multi-point plan that includes calls for action from all the areas that are so badly affected by cybercrime, including: law enforcement, academia, service providers, government, the security industry and society at large.

The priority of The McAfee Initiative to Fight Cybercrime is to deliver more effective investigations and prosecutions of cybercrime.

More information is available at: http://www.mcafee.com/fightcybercrime.

Based in Santa Clara, California, McAfee Inc is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company.

McAfee strongly believes in its commitment to relentlessly tackle the world’s toughest security challenges and delivers proactive and proven solutions, and services, that help secure systems and networks around the world.

This allows users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. McAfee is backed by an award-winning research team which creates innovative products that advises businesses, the public sector, service providers and home users. It sets out to enable them all to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security.

Guest Article by Neil Camp

As part of McAfee’s Initiative to Fight Cybercrime – a wide ranging, global scheme aimed at closing gaps in the fight against those determined to steal online – the top security computer company has approved two further cybersecurity grants.

The beneficiaries this time are project proposals from Common Sense Media, a San Francisco-based non-profit organisation, and the Digital Security council of India. Last year, grants focusing on law enforcement training and coordination were awarded to the Council of Europe and the National District Attorneys Association.

The Cybercrime Grants programme is focused on fostering innovation and being able to give a measurable impact in key areas of educating, researching and introducing initiatives about cybersecurity issues.

Dave DeWalt, president and chief executive office of McAfee, said:
“As cybercrime continues to accelerate, we must find new ways to educate people and businesses about protecting their digital assets. We look forward to working with Common Sense Media and the Data Security Council of India, as we educate computer users around the world on avoiding the reach of increasingly sophisticated and ruthless cybercriminals.”

Based in San Francisco, Common Sense Media is a non-profit organisation which is focused on improving the media and technology lives of children and families through its up-to-date online information and education programs on digital literacy, digital citizenship, and cyber-safety.

It is there to serve over 4,000 schools and 600,000 households and draws in nearly ten million unique users. It boasts more than one million students with its educational resources and materials on digital media and technology.

The cybercrime grant from McAfee will be used by Common Sense Media to fund key elements of its cybersecurity and cyber-safety curriculum for middle schools.

James Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, said:
“We are very pleased to be working with McAfee to educate more young people and families about cyber threats and cybercrime, and about using computers and digital media in smart, safe and secure ways.”

Another non-profit organisation, the New Delhi-based Data Security Council of India focusses on developing best practices and training in India on data security and data privacy. It reaches out, via its Cybersecurity Awareness Initiatives, to a broad audience on a wide range of cybersecurity and cyber-safety issues. Money from the grant will help an education project funded through the McAfee Cybercrime Grant programme will reach computer users in Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Pune and Bangalore.

Dr. Kamlesh Bajaj, CEO of the Data Security Council of India, said:
“Education and awareness is the most important step in fighting cybercrime. Even as we create best security practices for industry, it is imperative for us to educate the general population in schools and colleges and with parents about Cyber Safety, Cyber Security, and Data Privacy. I’m sure DSCI together with McAfee can create useful training, and take it to a wider audience in major cities in India. I look forward to close cooperation with McAfee, and I believe this is just the beginning of a long partnership.”

Guest Article by Neil Camp