Obama: Tech Security a Key Priority

President Obama added flesh to the bones of his ambitious cyber-security strategy Friday, potentially providing a boost to tech security stocks.

After a 60-day review process, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council delivered a report to Obama on how best to tackle the growing threat of cyber-crime. Key recommendations include appointing a cyber-security "czar," forging closer ties between the federal government and the private sector, and responding more effectively to cyber attacks.

"My administration will promise a new, comprehensive approach," said Obama, during a White House press conference, where he welcomed the report. "Protecting this infrastructure will be a key national priority."

The government's decision to raise the profile of cyber-security could be good news for software companies such as Symantec(SYMC Quote), McAfee(MFE Quote) and Microsoft(MSFT Quote), which sell technologies for securing data and computer systems.

McAfee, for example, snapped up Secure Computing last year to bolster its federal firewall profile and recently reported its thirteenth consecutive quarter of revenue growth.

"We look forward to continued participation in an even stronger partnership with the government to ensure that our institutions and citizens are able to fully participate in a secure and networked world," said Dave De Walt, the McAfee CEO, in a statement released Friday.

Despite the government cyber-security news, shares of McAfee dipped with the broader tech market, slipping 34 cents, or 0.87% to $38.70. Symantec's stock, however, went in the opposite direction, rising 29 cents, or 1.91%, to $15.48.