Concentric Security June 2026 Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

Mark Oakes 

CEO of Concentric Security  

Summer Surge: Is Your Perimeter Ready for Peak Traffic?

Practical insights for facility owners, security leaders, and project teams to protect people, safeguard assets, and build smarter perimeter security solutions.

Summer doesn't just bring the heat—it puts your perimeter systems to work. More deliveries, more contractors, more visitors, and longer operating hours all increase the workload on gates, barriers, and access control systems.

While these increases may be expected, the additional demand they place on perimeter systems is often overlooked.

Higher temperatures, increased cycle counts, and heavier traffic accelerate wear on hydraulic systems, controls, and moving components. Small issues which go unnoticed in the spring often become service calls in July.

A preventative inspection before peak activity begins can help identify issues before they become operational disruptions.

Key areas to review include:

• Barrier cycle counts and mechanical wear
• Hydraulic system performance
• Control panel condition and diagnostics
• Safety devices and vehicle detection systems
• Gate alignment and moving components
• Electrical and communication infrastructure

Addressing small issues before they become larger failures can help reduce downtime, improve reliability, and extend equipment life.

Vehicle Approach Paths

When discussing perimeter security, most conversations focus on the barrier itself.

However, one of the most important factors in perimeter design often has nothing to do with the barrier at all.

It is the path a vehicle takes before reaching it.

The first question shouldn't be, "Which barrier do I need?" It should be, "How can a vehicle get here?" Speed, angle of approach, available acceleration distance, and surrounding site geometry all influence how a barrier system should be designed and deployed.

Even the highest-rated barrier won't perform as intended if it's installed in the wrong location.

Vehicle speed is one of the most critical variables. The amount of available distance a vehicle must accelerate directly impacts the potential energy involved in an impact event. A long, unobstructed approach creates different design requirements than a constrained urban environment with limited acceleration opportunities.

Approach angles also play an important role. Vehicles rarely travel in perfectly straight lines. Road geometry, parking layouts, intersections, and site entrances can all create approach conditions that influence barrier placement and overall perimeter strategy.

One common mistake is focusing exclusively on protecting a single point without evaluating the broader site layout. This can create unintended vulnerabilities where vehicles can approach from alternate directions or exploit gaps in protection.

Effective perimeter planning considers:

• Vehicle speed potential
• Available acceleration distance
• Approach angles and turning radii
• Setback distances
• Pedestrian circulation
• Adjacent roadways and site access points
• Existing infrastructure constraints

The result is a security solution tailored to the realities of the site rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Modernizing Legacy Barrier Systems

Many perimeter systems installed years ago continue to perform their primary function well.

Just because a barrier still operates doesn't mean it's operating efficiently or securely.

However, the technology supporting those systems often tells a different story.

Across the country, many organizations are operating legacy barrier systems which remain mechanically sound but struggle with aging controls, obsolete components, limited diagnostics, and integration challenges.

For these facilities, full replacement is not always the best or most economical option.

In many cases, modernization can significantly improve performance while extending the life of existing infrastructure.

Common signs a system may be ready for modernization include:

• Frequent control-related faults
• Difficulty sourcing replacement parts
• Limited system diagnostics
• Inconsistent operation
• Inability to integrate with newer systems
• Increased maintenance requirements

Modernization projects often focus on upgrading control platforms, improving communication infrastructure, replacing aging electrical components, and enhancing system diagnostics.

These improvements can provide substantial benefits without requiring complete removal of existing barriers or gates.

One of the biggest advantages of modernization is the ability to implement improvements in phases. Facilities can prioritize critical upgrades while spreading capital expenditures over time and minimizing operational disruption.

The key is knowing what to upgrade—and what to leave alone.

Legacy systems often include proprietary hardware, outdated wiring methods, or undocumented modifications that complicate integration efforts. Understanding existing conditions is critical before determining the best upgrade strategy.

At Concentric Security, our teams regularly evaluate legacy perimeter systems and help clients determine whether modernization, replacement, or a combination of both provides the best long-term value.

In many cases, thoughtful upgrades can deliver significant operational improvements while protecting existing investments.

Perimeter Security During Active Construction Projects

Construction projects improve facilities—but they also create temporary security gaps if perimeter planning isn't part of the project.

Temporary access points, changing traffic patterns, utility work, and contractor activity can all create vulnerabilities that did not previously exist.

For facilities with active perimeter security systems, maintaining protection during construction requires careful planning and coordination.

One of the most common challenges involves temporary access routes.

Construction activities often require new entry points for equipment, deliveries, and personnel. Without proper controls, these temporary access locations can become weak points in the perimeter.

Traffic flow changes create additional complexity.

Vehicles that normally follow established routes may be redirected around construction zones, altering approach paths and increasing congestion at existing access points. These changes can impact barrier operation, increase cycle counts, and create operational bottlenecks if not properly managed.

Don't overlook underground utilities. Power and communication lines serving gates and barriers are often impacted during excavation.

Excavation activities may disrupt power, communication pathways, or control infrastructure supporting gates and barriers. Understanding these dependencies before construction begins helps reduce the risk of unexpected outages.

Successful projects often rely on close coordination between facility teams, construction contractors, engineers, and perimeter security specialists.

Key considerations include:

• Temporary access control requirements
• Vehicle routing changes
• Utility protection and relocation
• Equipment staging areas
• Emergency vehicle access
• Construction phasing impacts
• Communication and coordination procedures

The goal is to maintain security while allowing construction activities to proceed efficiently.

Secret Sauce for Summer Security

Whether you're planning an expansion, modernizing existing systems, or preparing for heavier summer traffic, Concentric Security helps you stay ahead of problems before they become disruptions. Our goal is simple: deliver practical perimeter security solutions that protect people, keep operations moving, and safeguard what matters most.