WASHINGTON, May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the nonprofit Center for Cyber Safety and Education have awarded two female college students a $10,000 scholarship and a paid internship to develop their cybersecurity careers.

"This scholarship aims to attract and develop more young women in cybersecurity, and give them the opportunity to make an impact," said Jack Harrington, vice president of cybersecurity and special missions for Raytheon. "The cybersecurity talent shortage is real, and we must close the gender gap in this area if we are serious about addressing the cyber-related threats facing the country."

The two scholarship recipients are:


    --  Nicole Krantz, a freshman this fall at George Mason University, is
        enrolled in the cybersecurity engineering program. She is graduating
        from Florida Atlantic University High School, a special dual-enrollment
        school that allows her to earn college credits while she's still in
        secondary school.


    --  Catherine McLean is a junior at Northeastern University and is pursuing
        a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science. She also participates
        in the university's co-op program and is currently working as an intern
        at Raytheon.

"With this partnership, the CCSE and Raytheon are actively supporting women who are focused on information security and giving them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience," said Center Director Patrick Craven.

The Raytheon Women's Cybersecurity Scholarship is the latest of the company's efforts aimed at developing cyber talent around the world. Administered by CCSE, the Raytheon Women's Cybersecurity Scholarship awards scholarships to two college students annually.

For the past three years, Raytheon has sponsored the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, the largest defense cyber competition in the U.S., and published pioneering research about millennials and cyber careers with the National Cyber Security Alliance.

About the Center of Cyber Safety and Education
The Center of Cyber Safety and Education is the non-profit charitable foundation formed by (ISC)² in 2011 to empower students, parents, teachers and the general public across all age groups and demographics to secure their online lives with cybersecurity education and awareness programs.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I(TM) products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. Visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

This document does not contain technology or technical data controlled under either the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations or the U.S. Export Administration. E16-WJDM.

Media Contacts
Raytheon
Roela Santos
+1.571.250.1106
iispr@raytheon.com

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SOURCE Raytheon Company