Congressman Pat Harrigan Visits Network Integrity Systems in Hickory, NC

Recently, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC‑10), a decorated Green Beret combat veteran and staunch advocate for national security, visited Network Integrity Systems (NIS) at their headquarters in Hickory, North Carolina. His visit highlighted the vital role of U.S.-developed technology in protecting both our digital and physical borders.

A Mission-Aligned Visit

Network Integrity Systems is a national leader in fiber optic sensing solutions that protect the U.S. Government’s most critical communications and infrastructure. With systems deployed across Department of Defense facilities, intelligence agencies, and defense contractor campuses, NIS is trusted to secure some of the nation’s most sensitive environments.

Congressman Harrigan, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is a vocal proponent of strengthening America’s border and national defense systems, toured NIS’s demonstration facility and received in-depth briefings on the company’s full product suite.

SENTINEL: Protecting Perimeters and Borders

During the visit, special focus was placed on SENTINEL™, NIS’s advanced solution for perimeter and border security. SENTINEL uses distributed fiber optic sensing to detect and pinpoint threats such as digging, cutting, climbing, or vehicle approach — all in real time and over vast distances. The system is already helping to secure high-consequence assets and restricted zones, making it a prime candidate for border protection and critical infrastructure applications where early detection and rapid response are critical.

Congressman Harrigan, who has consistently championed stronger U.S. border security and supported efforts to deploy advanced technologies at the border, expressed interest in how SENTINEL could reinforce national security while leveraging American innovation. As a combat veteran, Harrigan understands the importance of early threat detection and situational awareness in both military and homeland defense operations.

Strengthening America's Defense Posture

In addition to SENTINEL, Congressman Harrigan was briefed on INTERCEPTOR™, NIS’s flagship intrusion detection system for fiber-optic communication infrastructure. Designed to meet CNSSI 7003 requirements, INTERCEPTOR provides unmatched protection for classified networks and military-grade communications.

These systems represent the convergence of physical and cybersecurity — protecting not just the data traveling across networks, but the infrastructure that carries it.

Building Security at Home

Congressman Harrigan praised NIS for its commitment to national security and its leadership in developing mission-critical technology here in North Carolina. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in securing both our physical borders and our digital infrastructure, pledging continued support for defense-focused innovation and American manufacturing.

As threats evolve, leaders like Congressman Harrigan and companies like NIS are working together to ensure the safety, security, and resilience of our nation.