The Fortress Garden is something to ponder. Bougainvillea speaks of the tropics. Location and climate matter for plant choices, so handover the general location. (I just saw Arizona. that's a good clue.) Not good enough.

There are a lot of plants and a lot of bugs and varmints that use them. Even with this subject it helps to know what exactly you are trying to repel. Different varmints have different tastes.

Are there any good botanical gardens near you? Winter I bet would be the optimum time for a visit. Go for a relaxing stroll. Take names.

In Arizona, I would think that a variety of local cacti and large, spiky succulents would work well as barrier or security plantings. There seems to be no shortage at what you might choose - Arizona Cactus Sales carries a bucketload of choices!! And I agree about any considered repellant plants. Different plants work at different purposes in this regard so you need to be specific about what you are trying to repel.

Few plants repel insects just by being there. Many aromatics are unpalatable if eaten but I’m afraid plants like mint or lavender don’t repel bugs at a distance.

i would second floral on that:

insect repelling plants that could keep you unbothered do not really exist,

I mean, doing that just by growing there...

most of the "tipps and tricks" are overblown internet-clickbait-saga-lore

do you know which insect species are a problem?

an re "secutity landscape" keep in mind that at some point in the garden development you need to prune all the stuff growing in your garden.

and that can be extremly bothersome if you have really prickely stuff.

who do you want to keep away with the thorny stuff anyway?

deer, humans?

If you really need a 'secure' property' then I assume your architect has included all the new electronics available into the house and surrounds. I will mention here that the most secure house design for this purpose is to construct the building in a square shape which encloses a major landscaped interior patio area where all family activites take place.....swimming pool, gardens, etc.

Thanks to a request I will pass on a suggestion which should work well in the Arizona landscape. I was asked to spread a heavy cover of gravel over the remaining yard because it made it difficult for an intruder to enter the property quietly. This idea would provide a 'clean' palette upon which to place your thorny shrubs.

A secure house design and well-sealed construction - cause bugs - is the first line of defense and more effective than thorns I would think. A walled Fortress Garden could be very well done.

Strewing herbs to repel insects were of common use in castles back in the day. That is a topic you could research. Cause bugs.