DULLES, Va., Feb. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) and Utilidata have formed a strategic alliance to help power utilities proactively detect, defend against and respond to cyber threats. 

The effort will combine Utilidata's experience in the use of real-time data from the electrical grid to detect and respond to cyber attacks and Raytheon's expertise in proactive cyber threat hunting, automation and managed security services to provide world-class cybersecurity, analytics and other innovative technologies.

"With this alliance, Raytheon will expand our presence in the critical infrastructure market by delivering next-generation, defense-grade cybersecurity capabilities to power utilities," said Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon's Intelligence, Information and Services business.

Power utility companies have invested heavily in making the power distribution system smarter, more efficient and more connected since the early 2000s. Such innovations are pillars of the energy economy, but they can make the grid vulnerable to cyber attacks. The integrated services offered by Utilidata and Raytheon, including cyber monitoring, post-attack forensics analysis, and both short and long-term strategic capabilities will limit risks and enhance cybersecurity to prevent future attacks.

"Power utilities face unique challenges that make planning and response to cyber attacks more difficult," said Scott DePasquale, chairman and CEO of Utilidata. "With more and more devices and systems connected to the internet, and all of them needing electrical power, these challenges are increasing exponentially.  This new alliance will help define the future of cybersecurity in the power utilities sector."

In December 2015, a cyber attack shut down a large section of the Ukrainian power grid – an incident that the Department of Energy identified in the 2017 installment of the Quadrennial Energy Review as an 'indicator of what is possible.'

About Utilidata
Utilidata®, Inc. is a global software company that works with electric utilities to enhance energy efficiency and grid security. The company's patented technology captures real-time data from the grid, giving utilities information needed to save energy, mitigate issues caused by distributed energy resources and better detect grid anomalies. With major clients including American Electric Power, National Grid, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Utilidata is backed by leading venture capital firms and is expanding across North America and the Middle East. The company has a world-class production, research and development facility at its headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island. For more information, please visit utilidata.com or follow @Utilidata on Twitter.

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 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, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter.

Media Contacts 
Raytheon
Scott Fazekas
+1.571.250.1877
iispr@raytheon.com

Utilidata
Theresa Gilbert
tgilbert@globalstrategygroup.com
+1.202.525.3696

SOURCE Raytheon Company