Pilot program for US's new border-crossing system of cameras, sensors, and radar hits early snags
Integration troubles with the pilot program for the Department of Homeland Security's "virtual fences" along the nation's borders with Canada and Mexico have sent contractor Boeing back to the drawing board, according to an AP report.
The virtual fencing system, which combines camera, sensor, and radar into one big picture for Border Patrol agents on the lookout for terrorists, drug traffickers, and illegal border crossers, reportedly has suffered some radar and software problems. The $20 million pilot project covers 28 miles of the border southwest of Tucson, Ariz., with nine 98-foot towers of equipment, and is the first phase of a proposed system that would span the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.
But Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff earlier this month told a congressional committee that DHS won't pay Boeing the remaining balance of around $5 million for the pilot until the system is functioning properly.
Further tests of the system should begin by early next month, he told the House Committee on Homeland Security.
— Kelly Jackson Higgins, Senior Editor, Dark Reading
About the Author(s)
You May Also Like
Guarding the Cloud: Top 5 Cloud Security Hacks and How You Can Avoid Them
April 4, 2024Cybersecurity Strategies for Small and Med Sized Businesses
April 11, 2024Defending Against Today's Threat Landscape with MDR
April 18, 2024Securing Code in the Age of AI
April 24, 2024
Black Hat USA - August 3-8 - Learn More
August 3, 2024Cybersecurity's Hottest New Technologies: What You Need To Know
March 21, 2024Black Hat Asia - April 16-19 - Learn More
April 16, 2024