A communications cabinet includes a housing defining a location for mounting communications equipment, the housing having a wall formed of a first material with a first penetration resistance, a vent opening in the wall, and a door. At least one plate of material having a second penetration resistance greater than or about equal to the first penetration resistance is mounted between the vent opening and the location for mounting the communications equipment, and the plate is positioned to stop projectiles larger than a given size from traveling in a straight line from the at least one vent opening to the location for mounting communication equipment while leaving an airflow path from the vent opening to the location for mounting the communications equipment that passes around at least one edge of the plate of material through a gap between the at least one plate and the wall.