GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For the fourth consecutive year, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with the Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), will bring together more than 200 top performing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) high school students to raise cyber security awareness and to promote education and careers in the field. 

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Hosted at the Lockheed Martin NexGen Cyber Innovation & Technology Center in Gaithersburg, Md., the event offers students the opportunity to learn safe online practices through a series of interactive workshops and presentations. 

"The interest in STEM-related majors and careers among high school students has steadily increased over the years, and we hope to contribute to that momentum today by introducing students to the ins and outs of cyber security," said Chandra McMahon, vice president of Commercial Markets and Cyber Security for Lockheed Martin's Information Systems & Global Solutions business. "With employment projections by the U.S. Department of Labor showing that of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014, 15 require significant mathematics or science preparation, we need to encourage talented and energetic students to choose a path in STEM education and consider a future in the cyber security profession."

Representatives in attendance from Maryland state and local government include: Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, U.S. Maryland Sen. Nancy King, Maryland State Delegate Anne Kaiser, Montgomery County Councilman Craig Rice, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and Economic Development Director Tom Lonergan.

Several government agencies and universities were invited to join the event to discuss career and educational opportunities with students. Represented organizations include: the Department of Homeland Security National Institute for Standards and Technology Bowie State University, Capitol College, CyberWatch, Hagerstown University, Montgomery Community College, Prince George's Community College and University of Maryland College Park.

Cyber Security Awareness Day is one of many Lockheed Martin STEM education initiatives that aim to support the next generation workforce and foster students to pursue cyber security careers. Regionally, it also supports the CyberMaryland initiatives bringing jobs and companies to the State of Maryland.

"We at TCM along with Lockheed Martin know that it is critical to create awareness among our best and brightest students about how a career in cyber security is essential to protecting our daily lives," said Philip Schiff, CEO of TCM. "Maryland leads the nation in cyber security expertise and resources. We see Cyber Security Awareness Day as the perfect venue to encourage the next generation to join us and to innovate even further."

By introducing high school students to cyber security, Lockheed Martin and TCM aim to influence students to choose a career in cyber security and consider universities and colleges with a cyber security curriculum.  

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 116,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation's net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin