A system of the invention includes at least one barrier layer, a plurality of rockfall attenuators, and two primary anchor points to anchor opposite lateral sides of the barrier layer. The attenuators may be secured to an upper portion of the barrier layer. The attenuators create a gap or separation between the surfaces of the slope upon which the barrier layer is installed. The attenuators may be secured to the barrier mesh by a single cable routed through cable eyes formed on each of the attenuators. Opposite ends of the cable are secured to the sloping surface by the two primary anchor points. The attenuators are free floating members in that they are not attached to the sloping surface. The invention further includes attenuators as a sub-combination and a method of installing the system.