Raytheon's Missile Systems' site in Tucson, Ariz., received a superior rating in an annual audit by the U.S. Defense Security Service. DSS completed a two-week review at RMS headquarters and rated the site's security practices.

Supporting national security and the warfighter, DSS is responsible for approximately 13,000 cleared contractor facilities. The agency ensures the security of the nation's technological base and oversees the protection of U.S. and foreign classified information in industry. Fewer than four percent of the facilities DSS oversees receive a superior rating.

A superior rating is reserved for contractors that have consistently and fully implemented the requirements of the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual.

The facility must have documented procedures that heighten the security awareness of employees, a sustained high level of management support for the security program and the absence of any serious security issues.

"Our employees have worked hard to improve security processes and ensure the safeguarding of information essential to the protection of warfighters," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, president of RMS.

"We want every employee to feel accountable for our security efforts and understand how important these efforts are to our nation."

With more than 10,000 employees in Tucson, RMS headquarters is the largest Raytheon facility to receive a superior rating from DSS.

"Local vigilance is critical to global defense. Our goal is to take the findings and feedback from each audit to continually improve security programs," said Ken White, director of RMS Global Security Services. "These security programs are part of Raytheon's ongoing commitment to Mission Assurance."