When it comes to protecting your business and safeguarding your premises from the threat of hostile vehicles, perimeter security is essential. As the modern threat evolves and transitions, selecting the right Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) solutions should form a vital part of your security strategy.
In this latest blog, we will guide you through the best strategies for your premises and, by employing these suggestions, you will be protecting your property and staff.
What is HVM?
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) refers to the strategies and solutions designed to prevent or mitigate the impact of vehicle-borne threats to a property. These threats could be from an accidental crash or a deliberate attack involving cars and larger vehicles as weapons. HVM solutions are essential for protecting high-risk areas such as government buildings, corporate headquarters, public spaces and event venues.
Some of the most common threats and scenarios include:
–Â Â Â Â Â Vehicle ramming attacks
–Â Â Â Â Â Vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (car bombs)
–Â Â Â Â Â Unauthorised access attempts
–Â Â Â Â Â Accidental collisions.
Assessing your Business’s Risk Profile
Before you can implement perimeter security measures, it is first important to assess your business’s risk profile. To do this, you should:
Identify Potential Threats
This first step is to consider the nature of your business and its location. For example, are you in a high-traffic urban environment area, or do you operate in a more low-risk environment? Consider the history of threats in your industry and any specific or local threats that your business may face.
Evaluate Vulnerable Areas
Once you have been able to identify the potential threats, the next step is to evaluate vulnerable areas around your perimeter. This can include things such as entry points, parking lots, pedestrian access points and loading docks, all of which are common targets for vehicle attacks.
 Types of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Solutions
Once you have been able to assess your business, it is then important to look at which perimeter security solutions you can implement to mitigate the risk. These solutions are typically categorised into passive and active measures, as well as temporary and permanent installations.
Passive vs Active Solutions
Passive solutions are static options that do not require any active intervention to function, such as bollards, barriers and fencing. Active solutions require some form of activation or control, offering a higher level of flexibility. These include solutions such as retractable bollards and automatic vehicle gates.
Temporary vs Permanent Installation
Temporary installations are ideal for events and other short-term needs, and include perimeter security systems such as bollards, barriers and fencing. Permanent solutions are designed for long-term use and offer more robust protection for fixed sites.
Bollards: The First Line of Defence
When it comes to perimeter security, bollards form a fundamental element of any system and help to provide effective vehicle access control. Some of the most common types of bollards include:
Fixed Bollards
These are permanently installed perimeter security systems that are able to provide constant protection.
Removable Bollards
These are a flexible option that can be removed for access as required.
Retractable Bollards
Retractable bollards are a mechanised solution whereby the bollards are lowered into the ground when required, creating a balance between security and accessibility.
When installing bollards as part of your perimeter security, you should first consider the depth and foundation strength of your property. You will also need to think about spacing, ensuring that the gap is not large enough for a vehicle to pass through. Finally, you will also want to consider the overall aesthetics of your security solutions and how they blend into your surroundings.
Barriers and Barricades: Heavy-duty Protection
Barriers and barricades form a robust layer of protection against vehicle threats and are suitable for a wide variety of applications. These kinds of barriers offer a higher level of protection compared with bollards. Some of the most common include:
Crash Barriers
These barriers are designed to stop vehicles on impact, preventing them from breaching your perimeter.
Road Blockers
Road blockers offer high-impact resistance and are an ideal solution for use on critical entry points.
Portable Barriers
For events or areas of changing demand, portable barriers offer an easy-to-deploy solution for relocation as required.
When choosing the right barrier for your property, you should consider the level of impact resistance required, the installation locations and the ease of use. Speak with a security professional to help you determine which is right for you.
Fencing Solutions for Perimeter Security
Another popular form of perimeter security system is fencing, which helps to serve as a physical and psychological deterrent to criminals. There is a wide range of options available for property owners, with some of the most popular types of security fencing being:
Chain-link Fences
Chain-link fences are a cost-effective and durable solution that is suitable for a wide range of settings.
Palisade Fences
These fences are a stronger and more imposing alternative to chain-link fences, offering a higher level of security.
High-security Fences
These fences are the highest level of security, featuring anti-ram and anti-climb features and enhanced materials for maximum protection. These fences can be incorporated with crash rated wire ropes and protective bollards to offer both the anti-climb and anti-ram properties some high security sites require.
Security Plan Integration
For maximum perimeter security, you should be integrating these HVM solutions into your broader security plan. A multi-layered approach will ensure a comprehensive level of security, making it far harder for threats to penetrate the perimeter, keeping your property and workers safe. These accompanying security measures include the likes of surveillance systems, on-site security personnel and smart technology.
Need Help with Your Perimeter Security?
Are you looking to maximise your perimeter security? Here at Ezi Security Systems, we design, manufacture and install premium security solutions for both vehicle and pedestrian access control, focusing on specialist Hostile Vehicle Mitigation.
With over 25 years of experience within the sector, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional results with every project, so if you want to learn more about our security features and how we can help you protect your property, get in touch today.