Fence-mounted fiber-optic sensing delivers instant intrusion detection with near-zero nuisance alarms at substations and other critical sites.
Orlando FL, October 20, 2026 — Sintela Inc., a global leader in Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and fiber-optic perimeter intrusion detection, today announced at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation’s annual security event (GridSecCon), that one of the largest electric utilities in the United States has deployed Sintela’s ONYX™ nano perimeter intrusion detection system (PIDS) at more than 20 of its major operating sites across the Midwest. The deployments were delivered with system integrator partner Next Tec Integrated Systems, and additional sites are planned.
Critical infrastructure sites such as electrical substations face growing physical security threats, and utilities need detection that is highly sensitive yet reliable enough that operators trust every alert. Using quantitative DAS, ONYX™ nano monitors a single fiber-optic cable mounted directly on existing perimeter fencing, turning the entire fence line into a continuous sensor that detects and locates climbing, cutting, and tampering in real time, with no power or electronics needed along the perimeter.
“The false alarm rate is so low that, even in high winds, the client team wondered whether the system was still active. So we sent someone out in the storm and the moment they tampered with the fence, the system detected the activity and alerted security personnel. The combination of sensitivity, reliability and low false alarm rate is exactly what our client needs,” said Jacob Anstaett, Managing Partner of Next Tec.
The fence-mounted design enabled the utility to scale quickly across its portfolio by retrofitting existing fencing with minimal site disruption, while Sintela’s AI-powered classification, trained on more than one million hours of real-world data, distinguishes genuine intrusion attempts from wind, rain, wildlife, and nearby traffic, easing the nuisance-alarm burden on security teams.
“We are proud to see one of America’s largest utilities extend ONYX™ nano across more than 20 of its sites, with more to come,” said Magnus McEwen-King, CEO of Sintela. “Utilities need detection they can trust: every genuine intrusion caught, without the nuisance alarms that erode operator confidence. This deployment shows ONYX™ nano delivering both, at scale, in demanding real-world conditions.”
Sintela’s ONYX™ platform supports utilities’ physical security programs, including sites subject to NERC CIP-014 requirements, and integrates with Video Management Systems (VMS), IP cameras, radar, and SCADA platforms. It also protects aerial and buried utility assets, such as transmission and distribution lines, strengthening grid resilience at a time when it is a growing priority for the industry.
About Sintela
Founded in 2017, Sintela is a global leader in Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS). The company designs and manufactures the award-winning ONYX™ platform, which turns standard fiber-optic cable into a real-time, highly sensitive sensing network for government, energy, and critical infrastructure customers. Its ONYX™ nano and ONYX™ peta interrogators are available directly and through Sintela’s channel partner network.
About Next Tec Integrated Systems
Next Tec Integrated Systems is known for excellence in systems design, installation, programming and project management services, with more than 100 years of combined experience in electronic security, telecommunications and low-voltage networks.
Learn more at www.nextecis.com
