Physical Security Assessment at Raytheon Company
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of Raytheon Company's physical security posture, including the firm's 92-year history as a defense and technology leader. The paper presents findings from an on-site physical security survey that identified critical vulnerabilities in boundary fencing, surveillance camera placement, access control systems, and security procedures. Key deficiencies include inadequate perimeter barriers, inconsistent camera coverage across campus facilities, legacy door locks that do not meet government standards, and a cumbersome two-stage background check process for security personnel. The paper proposes actionable recommendations including upgraded fencing systems, expanded CCTV deployment, modernized access control mechanisms, wireless camera technology with night vision, and streamlined hiring of contract security services to mitigate identified risks.
- Company Background and History: Raytheon's 92-year evolution from radio innovation to defense technology leader
- Physical Security Vulnerabilities Identified: Critical gaps in fencing, cameras, access control, and hiring procedures
- Physical Security Assessment Methodology: Comprehensive audit process including interviews, site walkthroughs, and detailed analysis
- Recommended Security Improvements: Upgraded systems for surveillance, fencing, access control, and contract security
- Implementation Strategy and Conclusion: Action steps for alarm testing, key management, restricted area controls
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What makes this paper effective
- Provides concrete, itemized vulnerabilities rather than abstract security concerns—each gap is clearly stated (e.g., "Perimeter fence is done by a wired rope which can't stop transgressors"; "Cameras are placed only at the main gate, not at exits").
- Organizes recommendations by technology category (fencing, surveillance, access control, personnel), making implementation priorities clear and actionable.
- Grounds recommendations in industry best practices by citing multiple sources on wireless cameras, electrical fencing, and contract security benefits.
- Establishes credibility by opening with Raytheon's 92-year history and current scale ($24 billion revenue, 63,000+ employees), contextualizing why security matters for this organization.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper uses a structured audit-and-recommendation format: survey findings → gap analysis → evidence-based solutions. This approach mirrors professional security consulting methodology, moving from observation to diagnosis to remediation. The author supports each recommendation with cited rationale (e.g., contract security reduces hiring delays; electrical fencing deters unauthorized access; wireless cameras with battery backup protect against power loss).
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a logical progression: (1) establish the client's background and importance; (2) itemize discovered vulnerabilities by system type (fencing, cameras, access control, hiring); (3) explain the assessment methodology used to identify these gaps; (4) propose specific, costed solutions organized by security function; (5) outline next steps for implementation. This mirrors the standard consulting report structure, allowing stakeholders to understand both what is wrong and how to fix it.
Company Background and History
Raytheon Company is an innovation and technology pioneer with expertise in security, defense, and civilian markets across the globe. With a background spanning 92 years of development, Raytheon produces advanced electronics, integrated mission systems, and capabilities in sensing, weapons, command and control, intelligence and communication systems, as well as services in mission support.
Raytheon was formed in Cambridge, Massachusetts—home of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—on July 7, 1922, originally as the American Appliance Company. The founders were Vannevar Bush, who eventually became dean of MIT's School of Engineering; engineer Laurence Marshall; and researcher Charles G. Smith, who worked in the field of electrical properties of gases. Their key innovation was the S-gas rectifier tube, a device that replaced unwieldy batteries used to power home radios. The tube transformed the radio into an economically viable, sought-after device that could be powered directly from a wall socket, making the entire world accessible to Americans in the comfort of their homes.
Raytheon soon took a leadership role in the electronics technology industry. During World War II, Raytheon workers contributed significantly to the war effort. They supplied nearly 80 percent of the magnetron tubes used in U.S. radar systems and radar systems made by the UK, and created several components for critical fuses in antiaircraft weapons and other supplies. After the war ended, Raytheon began offering consumer products, the microwave being among the most well known. Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer discovered microwave cooking when, as he stood near an operating magnetron, a piece of candy in his pocket began to melt. Intrigued, he obtained popcorn—and it began to pop. This discovery led to the development of the modern microwave oven. In the decades that followed, Raytheon representatives would expand on the company's commitment to innovation and technological advancement.
Today, Raytheon maintains its position as a worldwide engineering pioneer, particularly in homeland security, defense, and critical governmental markets. The company works closely with customers in a consulting capacity across an extensive variety of businesses and worldwide markets. As one of the world's largest and most respected engineering and training services providers, Raytheon offers services in more than 100 nations and 28 languages. The company's worldwide presence, strategic focus, scale, and speed are among the best in the industry.
Raytheon Company had annual revenues of twenty-four billion dollars and a workforce exceeding 63,000 employees spread worldwide. With a background of development spanning over 92 years, Raytheon provides integrated mission systems, advanced electronics, and diverse capabilities in sensing, weapons, command and control, intelligence and communication systems, cybersecurity, and an extensive range of mission support services. Riding on the dedicated work and commitment of countless employees across the globe, Raytheon is well positioned to address the needs of its clients in more than 80 nations—presently and well into the 21st century.
Physical Security Vulnerabilities Identified
An on-site inspection revealed the following critical security concerns:
Perimeter Protection: Boundary fencing does not meet required standards. The perimeter fence consists of wired rope, which cannot effectively stop intruders. Installation of cameras, sensors, electrified fencing, and adequate lighting fixtures is currently not feasible under existing infrastructure.
Surveillance Coverage Gaps: Cameras are not present on each flight of stairs. Compounds within the company premises lack camera coverage. In the lobbies of certain buildings, cameras have not been installed. Cameras are placed only at the main gate, not at secondary exits. Some entrance buildings have windows on facing walls, making break-ins easier. The two main cafeterias lack security features or surveillance systems.
Inconsistent Technology: Security technology is inconsistent across the entire campus, creating blind spots and complicating emergency response coordination.
Access Control Deficiencies: Some office areas do not adhere to government regulations. Legacy doors do not meet current standards. Badge readers are absent in many access points. Walls are too thin, allowing conversations to be overheard. The facility is required to have CDX-09 locks but currently uses standard padlocks. Ceilings are required to have barred security ceilings but have raised ceilings instead. No motion sensors are installed inside closed areas. The intrusion detection system (IDS) is not installed, and alarms cannot be armed.
Security Clearance and Hiring: Background checks are overly elaborate and tedious, causing delays in hiring security personnel and raising operating costs. Current practice requires security guards to pass through two separate security checks, creating inefficiencies.
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