A system (10) for protecting a border (B) comprises a fiber-optic cable (12) extending from one end of a border to the other end thereof. The cable includes a bundle of optical fibers which connect to sensors placed at intervals long the border. Included within the fiber-optic cable is a high voltage conductor by which high voltage AC is introduced into, and passes through, the cable for powering the sensors. The high voltage is stepped down and rectified from AC to DC for this purpose. Various types of sensors (100-700) are arranged in pods (14) located at intervals along the length of the border. A method of border protection is also disclosed.