DULLES, Va., Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and the Center for Cyber Safety and Education™ will offer six new scholarships this year to encourage women to pursue cybersecurity degrees.

"Recent global surveys show young women see fewer opportunities in cyber careers than young men do," said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business. "If we can create a clear path to cybersecurity careers for women, we can help eliminate the serious cyber talent shortage and make our country and the world more secure."

Administered by the Center, a charitable trust formed in 2011 by the international nonprofit (ISC)² ^®, Raytheon Women's Cybersecurity Scholarships will be awarded to six women annually. Three scholarships will go to women entering college, and three to mid-career professionals seeking to expand their skill sets or change career fields.  Selected scholarship recipients may receive a paid summer internship in Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services Cybersecurity and Special Missions business. Additional benefits include a voucher for the recipients' (ISC)² certification exam of their choice and a fully paid, first-year (ISC)² membership after passing the exam and becoming endorsed. This initiative triples the partnership's investment to more than $100,000 since 2016.

Raytheon provides career opportunities in:

• Computer network operations, defense and exploitation
• Information assurance
• Cyber resiliency
• Managed security services
• Cybersecurity operations centers

The Center, the nonprofit charitable trust of (ISC)², uses cybersecurity education and awareness programs to empower students, teachers and the public to secure their online presence.

"The recent (ISC)² Global Information Security Workforce Study revealed a workforce gap in the information security field of 1.5 million in the next five years. We see that as an untapped market of potential information security professionals," said Center Director Patrick Craven. "With this partnership, the Center and Raytheon can actively support women who are focusing their studies on information security, and give them the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience."

For more information about the Raytheon Women's Cybersecurity Scholarship, including eligibility requirements, visit https://iamcybersafe.org/scholarships/raytheon-womens-scholarships/  

About the Center for Cyber Safety and Education
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is a nonprofit charitable trust that provides internet-safety resources and tools for children, parents and communities. Through the Safe and Secure Online education program, information security scholarships, and industry and consumer research, the Center works to ensure that people across the globe have a positive, productive and safe experience online. The Center is committed to making the cyber world a safer place for everyone. Additional information about the Center is available at www.iamcybersafe.org

About (ISC)²
(ISC)² is an international nonprofit membership association focused on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world. Best known for the acclaimed Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP^®) certification, (ISC)² offers a portfolio of credentials that are part of a holistic, programmatic approach to security. Its membership, over 123,000 strong, is made up of certified cyber, information, software and infrastructure security professionals who are making a difference and helping to advance the industry. Its vision is supported by its commitment to educate and reach the public through its charitable foundation – The Center for Cyber Safety and Education™. For more information about (ISC)², visit www.isc2.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook. 

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™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contacts
Raytheon
Scott Fazekas       
+1.571.250.1877       
iispr@raytheon.com  
(ISC)²        
Maria Forrest
+1.727.201.5759
mforrest@isc2.org  

SOURCE Raytheon Company