Raytheon Corp. officials have purchased the information security company Websense for a total of $1.9 billion, the Boston Globe reports, mentioning that the Massachusetts-based defense contractor is looking to boost its cyber security selections.
"Today's enterprises are more vulnerable than ever due to the proliferation of cloud computing, mobile devices, and the Internet of things," Raytheon official David Wajsgras said, according to the site.
"Our goal is to provide an integrated defense."
Raytheon Corp., known for its speciality in military and weapons electronics, is in the process of expanding its services to include devices designed to prevent digital attacks.
Although in past years the company has earned notoriety for its engineering of missile systems, its leadership is now looking to provide defense technology to a more diverse set of industries outside of the military realm. These include healthcare, finance and smaller-scale businesses.
Now, with the acquisition of Websense, Raytheon Corp. officials will be able to use software files and databases to protect the flow of information on digital devices.
"The market for advanced cyber solutions that protect and defend global industry and infrastructure is rapidly growing due to the sophisticated threats posed by well-funded, nation-state adversaries and criminal networks. As the business enterprise evolves to meet the networked demands of today's mobile and cloud economy, these threats will grow in size and scale," said Thomas A. Kennedy, Raytheon Company Chairman and CEO, according to the company's press release.
"The new joint venture will combine Raytheon Cyber Products and Websense capabilities to deliver the advanced, defense-grade technology solutions needed to meet this evolving threat."
Raytheon was founded in 1922 in Cambridge, Mass. Websense was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in San Diego, Calif.
