2026 is in motion at TAC and we’re just getting started. From connecting federal talent with industry and government, to inspiring the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, to gearing up for Defend The Railroad, TAC continues to serve as a bridge across sectors where collaboration leads to impact.
Federal Bridge Collective: Connecting Federal Talent with New Opportunities in Partnership with DISA, US Cyber Command and The Cyber Guild
This January, TAC proudly partnered with the Federal Bridge Collective Networking Event to strengthen connections between federal tech and cyber talent and leaders across government and industry.
With participation from DISA, U.S. Cyber Command, and leading industry partners, the event highlighted TAC’s mission as a bridge for collaboration, providing a neutral, mission-focused space where federal professionals can explore meaningful opportunities, share expertise, and build relationships that advance national cyber readiness.
We are grateful for the overwhelming response and support from attendees and partners alike, all helping to make this initiative a success.
Inspiring the Next Generation at Cyber Saturday
The first National Cryptologic Foundation Cyber Saturday of the year was a tremendous success, hosted at TAC’s facility TheLink.
Students in 5th–12th grade, along with their guardians, experienced five dynamic, hands-on sessions, moving from curiosity to capability as they explored the world of cybersecurity.
The event was made possible by our outstanding partners:
- US Cyber Range (Virginia Tech)
- Girls Who Hack
- Booz Allen
- Association of U.S. Cyber Forces
- Cyber Chats
Together, we inspired the next generation of cybersecurity leaders and gave them a glimpse into the exciting career paths ahead.
Defend The Railroad 2026: Strengthening Rail Cybersecurity Together
Leaders from industry, government, and academia gathered in Maryland at TheLink for Defend The Railroad 2026. Over two days of discussion, collaboration, and hands-on engagement, participants addressed some of the most pressing cybersecurity challenges facing rail and critical infrastructure today.
The collaborative event created space for meaningful dialogue around emerging technologies, operational resilience, and the evolving threat landscape. From the role of artificial intelligence in rail environments to modern approaches for securing converged IT and operational systems, conversations centered on practical strategies that can be applied across the transportation ecosystem.
Defend The Railroad 2026 also reinforced the importance of preparedness and cross-functional coordination. Through interactive experiences and real-world scenarios, attendees explored how cybersecurity, operations, communications, and leadership must work together to respond effectively to complex incidents.
Most importantly, thank you to our sponsors, speakers, partners, and attendees for being part of this mission. Defend The Railroad continues to demonstrate that collaboration across industry, government, and academia is essential to strengthening the security and resilience of our nation’s rail systems.
Defend The Airport 2.0 (DTA 2026): Operationalizing Aviation Cyber Resilience
Building on the momentum of last year’s foundational discussions, Defend The Airport 2.0 returns June 17–18, 2026, with a clear objective: move from identifying challenges to implementing solutions.
Airports are not just facilities, they are interconnected ecosystems. When one node fails, the impact cascades. From fragmented cyber governance and IT/OT convergence vulnerabilities to ADS-B spoofing, DNS threats, and limited OT security maturity, the aviation sector faces increasingly complex risks that demand coordinated action.
From Awareness to Action
In 2025, DTA advanced the conversation with tangible outcomes:
- Defined governance gaps across federal, state, and local stakeholders
- Called for Airport Cyber Scorecards
- Advanced OT + Zero Trust integration
- Proposed regional SOC alignment
- Recommended national-level cyber exercises
- Introduced the Airport Dependency Profile framework
DTA is building implementation frameworks, not just conversations.
What to Expect in 2026
DTA 2.0 shifts the focus to operationalizing resilience:
- A tiered Large/Medium/Small airport cyber framework
- Cyber Overlay as a design standard
- National exercise coordination
- OT-focused modernization pathways
- Expanded federal and state engagement
- Cross-sector scaling beyond aviation
This year’s event moves from “what’s wrong” to “what’s next.”
Why Participate
Cyber risk at airports is operational risk. Operational risk is national security risk.
- Leaders – Influence policy and governance alignment
- Speakers – Shape national readiness through shared expertise
- Sponsors – Align with critical infrastructure resilience
- Attendees – Gain actionable tools, partnerships, and visibility
Join us as we continue building the blueprint for aviation cyber resilience and strengthening the broader critical infrastructure mission.
