For government leaders, keeping employees safe in the face of rising threats is a constant challenge.
Uncertainty around limited and changing budgets makes it even harder to prioritize safety upgrades.
As the need to bulletproof government buildings continues to rise, taking a phased approach to the project can save costs while making essential upgrades that help you maintain the public’s trust.
Why Government Building Security Is Evolving
Public confrontations, threats, and violent incidents at federal buildings and municipal offices are more common than they ever have been. Threats against federal employees and civil servants have increased in recent years, which, understandably, have left government employees more fearful for their safety.
In its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment, the Department of Homeland Security highlights several key concerns relevant to federal government agencies:
- Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs): The report emphasizes that DVEs driven by anti-government sentiments pose a significant threat to federal officials and facilities. These individuals may be motivated by various ideologies and grievances, increasing the risk of targeted violence against government personnel.
- National Security and Cyber Threats: Several foreign countries are identified in the report as persistent threats due to their efforts in cyber espionage and suspicious activity targeting U.S. government networks and infrastructure.
- Threats to Election Security: The assessment notes concerns about potential threats to election officials and infrastructure, highlighting the need for vigilance during election cycles.
While the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service plays a key role in security and emergency management planning at federal government buildings, at the state and local levels, many government buildings lack more basic security elements like access control systems.
No one should feel unsafe simply going to work, and there is growing pressure for government leadership to help keep workers safe on the job. With limited budgets, government leaders need to find a balance between safety and fiscal responsibility. This is especially true for federal agencies like the General Services Administration, which is responsible for managing government properties and buildings. As much as leaders want to do whatever is necessary to keep employees safe, they need to prioritize upgrades to align with their budget.
The Budget Problem: Rising Need, Shrinking Support
Government budgets have always been tight, but recent changes in the political environment have exacerbated the problem. Costs are increasing, and there is more confusion and uncertainty about government budgets. Federal grant cycles are inconsistent and competitive, and no one knows how much funding will be available this year or in the coming years.
Unfortunately, leaders can no longer afford to wait for the budget to improve government building security.
A Practical Solution: Phased, Prioritized Bulletproofing
Bulletproofing and other government facility protection upgrades don’t have to be done all at once. Taking a phased approach to security upgrades has several benefits, including:
- Securing high-risk zones quickly
- Budgeting over multiple fiscal years
- Reducing disruption to services and staff
In every building, there are higher-risk areas, such as the main lobby or service center. This is often the most accessible and most populated part of the building, making it a prime target for incidents. Securing the main lobby is much more affordable than implementing upgrades across the entire building.
Taking this approach also allows you to spread the cost over several years. Instead of diverting a large portion of your budget, you can break it up over several years to make it easier to accomplish.
Taking a phased approach also allows you to schedule the work during off-hours or low-impact times.
Start with what matters most
A phased approach to bulletproofing your building can be broken down even further to the most strategically important parts of the high-risk areas. Something as simple as a double set of locking bulletproof doors at the main entrance can prevent intruders from progressing further into the building.
Beyond that, bulletproof transaction windows with deal trays and voice ports are all great ways to protect your staff without sacrificing functionality.
Payment terminals and public lobbies are also important places to install bulletproof barriers, such as an interior storefront system. Adding bullet-resistant fiberglass panels to walls behind key areas is a cost-effective way to add protection. A strategically placed guard booth is a good option to help keep security professionals safe, and ATM machines or other payment booths can be outfitted with bulletproof materials as well.
Later phases can include less risk-prone areas
After the initial buildout of bulletproofing in the most critical or high-traffic areas, you can roll out security improvements to other parts of the facility. Interior corridor doors are a great way to guard against intruders who might make it past the main lobby or entrance.
Other places to consider for bulletproofing are council chambers, meeting rooms, and administrative offices. While not always open to the public, these would also be prime targets for intruders looking to cause harm inside a government building. Making sure these are properly protected is vital to keeping staff safe.
Another important consideration for later phases of security updates would be a safe room for staff during emergencies. These rooms offer life-saving protection to employees during active shooter situations or even natural disasters. Installing bulletproof windows with ballistic frames to conference rooms can be a cost-effective solution for offering additional protection.
Retrofit over rebuilding
Many bulletproof installations can be done atop existing structures. For instance, backglazing adds protection to existing windows without replacing them, making it a great option for historical buildings or tight budgets.
Adding bulletproof barriers to reception desks and service counters is another effective solution that doesn’t require a full remodel.
At Total Security Solutions, we offer a wide range of options for bulletproofing your facility, and our experts can help design a custom solution that fits your building and your budget. Our solutions are engineered for high-traffic, high-stress environments and comply with the highest physical security standards, including UL 752 standards and ASTM standards for forced entry.
Budgeting Tips for Government Facility Protection
One of the hardest aspects of any government leader’s job is operating within limited budgets. Knowing where and how to spend money most effectively is a challenge, but there are ways to maximize the effectiveness of facility safety upgrades:
- Set clear, phased goals for the project
- Consult a ballistic expert before contracting an architect
- Get real cost estimates for grant applications
- Bundle safety upgrades across multiple departments to maximize scale
- Plan for off-hours installations to minimize disruption
Our experts can help plan your project to maximize your budget.
Real-World Results
TSS often works closely with government agencies and contractors to build custom solutions for federal facilities and municipal buildings.
Here are just a few examples:
- As a result of a security incident in Roxbury, Massachusetts, a government agency needed to bulletproof its transaction windows across its facilities nationwide. The client had very specific needs for the transaction windows to the point where we transformed a standard baffle bulletproof window into what we now call a ‘Roxbury’ window.
- We worked with a government contractor to implement physical security upgrades to a federal facility in Washington, D.C. Due to the challenges of installing the upgrades during COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, we managed the installation in 10 separate phases.
Our experts work closely with your team to design, manufacture and install custom solutions that meet your needs while staying within your budget and time constraints.
Start Your Government Building Security Plan Today
One of the most important considerations when upgrading security for federal buildings or local municipalities is that you don’t need a six-figure budget to make a meaningful impact. Many important improvements can be done quickly and affordably to ensure your employees are safe and confident in the workplace.
For more information, download our free Government Security Planning Guide, or contact one of our experts today to learn how to protect your people and your property while maintaining a welcoming environment.
