In anticipation of GSX, we sat down with presenters of upcoming sessions in order to get a better understanding of the topics at hand. This week we are featuring, “A Holistic Approach to Vehicle Ramming Assessment and Perimeter Protection Design,” presented by Pedram Hesam, PSP, CTO of Protective Design Engineering at PNH, and Herbert Ubbens, CPP, PSP, President at Paratus Consultants Group, LLC. Read on for what they had to say and don’t forget to register for GSX 2025!
Q: How did you become interested in your topic?
PH: My interest in vehicle ramming threats and perimeter protection evolved naturally through my background in structural engineering and protective design. As I began consulting on high-security facilities and infrastructure, it became clear that vehicle-borne threats—both intentional and accidental—presented a unique and evolving challenge. The intersection of engineering, security, and risk mitigation is where I found purpose: designing physical security solutions that are not only technically robust but also tailored to the operational context of each site. The increasing frequency and diversity of vehicle incursions in both civilian and high-profile environments reaffirmed the importance of a holistic, systems-based approach to protective design—one that integrates threat assessment, performance-based criteria, and engineering rigor.
Q: Tell us about your presentation and why should security professionals have this topic on their radar?
HU: Our presentation, “A Holistic Approach to Vehicle Ramming Assessment and Perimeter Protection Design,” focuses on a comprehensive methodology for addressing the evolving threat of vehicle incursions—whether deliberate or accidental. We’ll walk through key concepts in threat assessment, the physics of impact, mitigation technologies, and real-world implementation challenges.
Security professionals need to be proactive in understanding this topic because vehicle ramming incidents continue to be a favored tactic for both lone actors and organized threats. Even outside of intentional attacks, accidental vehicle intrusions can have devastating consequences. Unfortunately, many sites remain underprotected due to incomplete assessments or inadequate technical solutions. As protective design engineers, we aim to equip attendees with a practical framework for aligning vulnerability analysis, site constraints, and performance requirements—helping them make informed decisions that prioritize both safety and operational functionality.
Q: What advice would you give security professionals interested in this topic?
PH: Start by recognizing that vehicle ramming mitigation is not a one-size-fits-all problem. Effective perimeter security design requires a multidisciplinary approach—integrating threat intelligence, site-specific constraints, and engineering performance standards such as ASTM F2656 F3016 and ISO 22343.
I encourage security professionals to work closely with qualified protective design engineers early in the design process to avoid reactive or piecemeal solutions. Understand the importance of validated products, informed siting, and the need for solutions that balance physical protection with usability, aesthetics, and maintainability. Lastly, stay current—technology, threats, and standards are all evolving rapidly. Ongoing education and collaboration with technical specialists will elevate the quality and effectiveness of your security posture.
Q: How do you see this issue evolving in the next 2–5 years?
HU: The threat landscape surrounding vehicle incursions is expanding. In the next few years, we anticipate an increase in not only weaponized vehicle attacks but also unintended incursions due to distracted, impaired, or aging drivers. Compounding this, the proliferation of autonomous and unmanned vehicles introduces new and complex threat vectors—challenging both detection and mitigation strategies.
From a design standpoint, there will be greater emphasis on adaptable and modular security systems that can respond to dynamic threats while minimizing disruption to operations. We’ll also see more integration of physical barriers with intelligent systems—such as sensor fusion, analytics, and automated response—to form layered, responsive defenses. Security professionals will need to stay agile and adopt solutions that are both forward-looking and grounded in tested engineering practices.