Produced ahead of the 2024 Border Technology Summit, this report explores how border security in the 21st century is increasingly defined not just by physical infrastructure, but by the integration of modern surveillance technologies, skilled personnel, and forward-looking policy.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has developed a wide range of Border Surveillance Systems (BSS) to enhance national security — including video surveillance, thermal imaging, radar, ground sensors, and radio frequency sensors. These tools are central to CBP’s vision of a high-tech “virtual wall” along the southern border.

This report takes a closer look at the evolution of BSS, with a specific focus on surveillance towers and their role in detecting illegal entries and supporting apprehensions.

These insights remain highly relevant as we look ahead to the 2025 summit, where an updated report will be published to reflect the latest developments, technologies, and operational strategies shaping the future of border security.