TAC Awarded DISA Unclassified Proving Ground
Accelerating the transition of commercial technologies into the Department of War’s Coalition Information Environment.
The Technology Advancement Center has been awarded a Partnership Intermediary Agreement service order to operate the Defense Information Systems Agency’s (DISA) Unclassified Proving Ground (UPG).
The new capability creates a secure, collaborative environment where government, industry, academia, and non-traditional technology companies can rapidly evaluate and mature emerging technologies before they transition into operational defense environments.
As a strategic innovation partner, TAC will help bridge the gap between commercial innovation and mission needs, reducing adoption risk and accelerating the delivery of advanced capabilities to warfighters and coalition partners.
State-Funded OT BoOTcamp™: Secure Critical Infrastructure Across Maryland
Tuition is sponsored by the State of Maryland’s Lighthouse Industries Upskilling and Reskilling Program for eligible students.
Maryland’s critical infrastructure depends on skilled professionals who understand how to secure the systems behind essential services.
TAC’s Operational Technology (OT) BoOTcamp™ provides foundational, hands-on training in OT and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), helping professionals strengthen their cybersecurity skills and close the gap between IT and OT.
The next state-funded cohort will focus on water, wastewater, and systems security and is designed for Maryland professionals looking to upskill in critical infrastructure environments.
Upcoming Course
September 21–25, 2026
TheLink | Columbia, Maryland
Focus: Water, wastewater & systems security
Level: Foundational
Tuition: State-sponsored for eligible Maryland students
Learn from TAC instructors through practical, hands-on training designed to prepare professionals to better understand and secure the operational systems that keep Maryland communities running.
TAC Leaders Featured on The Nonprofit Report
What does it take to protect the systems society relies on every day?
TAC CEO Chris Hollifield, CIO Monty Mills, and CTO Yonald Chery recently joined The Nonprofit Report, hosted by m/Oppenheim ORG, to discuss cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, workforce development, and TAC’s role as an intermediary connecting government with innovative technology.
The conversation explores why OT cybersecurity requires a different approach, how hands-on training prepares professionals for real-world challenges, and how TAC is helping build the workforce needed to support an evolving technology landscape.
“In Operational Technology (OT), when a system goes down, you can’t just issue a new laptop, you’re protecting physical infrastructure that society relies on every single day.”
What’s Next at TAC
From accelerating commercial technology into defense missions to preparing Maryland’s workforce to secure critical infrastructure, TAC continues to connect innovation, workforce development, and mission needs.
Stay connected for more updates, upcoming training opportunities, and the latest from TAC.
