Due Diligence as an Antidote for Hidden HVM Costs

The critical, specialised nature of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation projects makes them notoriously demanding in scope and cost. However, due diligence may be the unsung antidote to the unruly budgets and specification challenges that can accompany an HVM scheme.

This Security in Depth guide explains the mutual relationship between due diligence, budget controls and security effectiveness, the ideal process for HVM projects and how to leverage a manufacturer.

• Putting a price on due diligence in HVM projects
• Due diligence finds complexity hidden in plain sight
• An ideal due diligence process for HVM projects
• Why do so many pay the price of oversight?
• How to leverage a manufacturer in due diligence

Putting a Price on Due Diligence in HVM Projects

Without adequate due diligence, your costs are almost guaranteed to increase. That is because due diligence significantly influences assessments, product specification, labour skills and timelines. If vital information is overlooked, so are associated costs.

Your full-scale requirements and risks will eventually come to light – but inevitably after budget approval.  In these scenarios, you have two choices: course-correct by pitching for more budget or compromise somewhere to balance the books.

Except in the context of physical security, there is zero room for compromise. Once a vulnerability has been formally identified, it then becomes very difficult to not address this vulnerability in the implementation of appropriate security measures.

We see this story repeat itself often. And in most cases, it is physical security products (often bollards) that elude due diligence procedures. But why is this? In short, physical barriers are often judged on first impressions.

Due Diligence Finds Complexity Hidden in Plain Site

There is far more complexity for instance to a bollard than meets the eye. There are a surprising number of variables to consider which change depending on factors dictated by threat assessments and site constraints. Examples include:

• Bollard finishes: how they withstand climate conditions and balance aesthetics
• Ground depth: available installation depth and subsequent viable bollard types and foundation designs. This includes the consideration of installation within specialized foundation types such as suspended slabs or accommodating slopes in the topography of the intended site.
• Workable space: underground obstructions that prevent traditional installation (such as gas mains).
• Layout: bollards must be positioned in relation to the vehicular angle of attack. It might not always be appropriate to install bollards in a linear fashion. Breaking up arrays or staggering bollard lines may be more beneficial for the security objective and the look and feel of an area.

Security bollards are a niche: project managers will understandably have knowledge gaps. Yet, innocent, and reasonable as this is, without undertaking due diligence, project managers expose their sites to unthinkable risks – and substantial unplanned corrective costs.

To alleviate the worry of getting something wrong, consider using an independent security consultant to guide due diligence procedures. Depending on project complexity, you may also outsource design, planning and installation to a manufacturer.

By taking these steps, you are more likely to follow an ideal due diligence process. But what exactly does that look like?

An Ideal Due Diligence Process for HVM Projects

The ideal due diligence process for Hostile Vehicle Mitigation projects begins at the planning and development stage. The earlier all parties are involved, the better the threat mitigation outcomes and budget management.

Proper HVM due diligence creates a risk profile from which you can accurately specify products, predict budget, and efficiently liaise with appropriate manufacturers. These are the steps in an exemplary due diligence process.

1. A HVM risk or threat is identified or perceived – this could be for a new build area or an existing and operational site.
2. A Counter Terror Security Advisor (CTSA) may contact you to provide an initial risk assessment and recommendations of how to progress a project.
3. Arrange a threat vulnerability assessment or a vehicle dynamic assessment (depending on the complexity of the project) from an independent security consultant specialising in antiterror HVM. They will undertake their assessment and provide HVM specifications that are underwritten, appropriate and proportionate to threat levels.
4. Contact a credible manufacturer and get a ballpark cost. Costs may change depending on design elements.
5. Work on the wider site design (for example, aesthetics and access needs) within the context of the security specifications outlined by your security consultant.
6. Final plans are shared with an independent security consultant to ensure that final details do not undermine or affect the specification.
7. Send a bill of materials per the advised, underwritten specification to a credible manufacturer (or manufacturers) and get a quoted cost.
8. Submit your budget with the quoted costs, accurate to a complete security profile and aesthetic details.

Why do so Many Pay the Price of Oversight?

From experience, the ideal HVM due diligence process only happens some of the time. Unfortunately, that means many project managers grapple with potentially high-stakes projects that are beset with unnecessary challenges.

When due diligence is undertaken, you are protected from threats and surprise costs. So, why do such a high proportion of HVM bollard projects lack due diligence?

The answer is that due diligence oversights are often a case of “not knowing what you don’t know”. Some project managers may be new to HVM bollards. Whatever the reason, the outcome is often poorly specified security bollards and spiralling, late-stage costs. That said, there are cases where project managers are pleasantly surprised to find that they have over-specified. We explain how this can happen here.

How to Leverage a Manufacturer in HVM Due Diligence

The final factor of due diligence is security manufacturers. Credible manufacturers can make a project less stressful and more streamlined. Therefore, narrowing your selection to manufacturers within this cohort will be hugely advantageous:

• Risk awareness: Enquires about your risk and threat vulnerability assessments to understand the brief in context.
• Reputation: They have extensive experience with similar projects.
• Transparency: Happily puts you in contact with customers for references and explains who does what in their supply chain.
• Product Testing: Product certification is on view for all to see and can be corroborated with a third-party test certificate when requested. The parameters of the tested products available (i.e. minimum tested array and product tested spacings) are also on view for open product / solution analysis.
• Installation support: Provides support like layout drawings, site modelling, and installation instructions to ensure correct installation by third parties – compliant to either BSI PAS 69 or IWA 14-2.

If undertaking due diligence is the best thing for your HVM project, costing potential HVM products from simple online searches is the worst. Even with underwritten specifications to hand, design and installation complexities may result in surprise costs down the line.

For total confidence and ease, speak to a HVM bollard manufacturer at your earliest opportunity. ATG’s security bollard experts are available Monday-Friday to help in any way we can on +44 (0)345 350 3799. Or you can submit a query here.