SBInet reaches a turning point

Few would dispute that there are problems securing the United States'borders. And the country seems to be of two minds on how we regaincontrol. A low-tech approach uses steel and concrete, while a high-techapproach relies on satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles and remotesensors.Two years into the SBInet, the nation doesn't have much to show for it. Thegovernment is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build a real fence anda virtual one. There have been delays and failures. Homeland SecurityDepartment officials have spent countless hours on Capitol Hill defending theprogram. Prime contractor Boeing Co. has had to explain technology choicesand fight a public relations battle.Too often, SBInet has seemed destined to land on a list of failed and costlyprograms.However, as staff writer Alice Lipowicz explains in her SBInet special report,the high-tech virtual fence might be reaching a turning point, and it is a turn inthe right direction.Part of this is because of new DHS leadership for the program. Boeing alsohas taken advantage of delays to work out kinks in the technologies it is usingand in its development and implementation processes. Lipowicz spoke with DHSand Boeing leaders about their progress and the challenges ahead.2009 will be a watershed year for the program. DHS has to decide whetherto extend Boeing's contract, and Boeing has to earn that extension.