The cuts will affect all sites of CA's business but will "impact predominantly North America", according to CA executives. Most cuts will be completed by the end of the month, with the remainder finished by 30 September.

CA chief executive officer, William McCracken, will visit the largest offices over the next month and each major global office by mid-year.

In a letter to employees, he said the cuts would "focus skills and investments on activities that support corporate strategy and have the greatest impact on performance, growth and customer loyalty".

The decision follows a global realignment of the company's "portfolio, resources and skills" with its "cloud connected enterprise strategy and program of acquisitions".

McCracken said in the letter that CA will consolidate "additional facilities" to reduce real estate costs, but added the company is not trying to "cut its way to growth".