This year at TAC wasn’t just about conversations, it was about results. As CEO Chris Hollifield recently shared, “Thought leadership without action is just noise.” In the past month, we’ve continued turning ideas into measurable action, strengthening our mission to defend critical infrastructure, empower the next generation of cybersecurity leaders, and lead by example.
Defend The Airport: Building Momentum for DTA 2.0
This year’s Defend The Airport was a success, bringing the cybersecurity community together to learn from each other, share insights, and make a real difference in defending critical systems. Building on these achievements, we’re setting our sights on Defend The Airport 2.0 next year, continuing to push the boundaries of operational readiness, refine strategies, and turn lessons learned into measurable results.
TAC Corporate Partner Program: Turning Vision Into Results
Our Corporate Partner Program continues to grow, connecting organizations with TAC’s unique hands-on environments, expertise, and actionable frameworks. Partnerships aren’t just about prestige, they’re about producing measurable outcomes and advancing cybersecurity across industries.
Advancing Cyber Education: WVU + OT BoOTcamp
We’re proud to bring OT BoOTcamp courses to West Virginia University, creating pathways for students and professionals to gain real-world operational technology experience. As Chris emphasizes, “Join persistent, hands-on environments. Build muscle memory before the adversary forces you to play for real.” This partnership is a tangible step toward that goal.
Leadership in Action: Welcoming CEO Chris Hollifield
Chris joined TAC this year as CEO, bringing with him decades of experience in military intelligence and cybersecurity leadership. His vision is clear: TAC is not here to comment from the sidelines; we are here to take action. As he notes, “If your ideas never leave the stage and enter the fight, you are not leading, you are spectating.”
Looking Ahead to 2026: Thank You for Taking Action With Us
As we close out 2025, we’re reflecting on a year of bold ideas turned into meaningful action. From Defend The Airport to launching the TAC Corporate Partner Program and expanding OT BoOTcamp to West Virginia University, every step we take is guided by our mission: to transform thought leadership into tangible outcomes that strengthen cybersecurity across industries.
None of this progress would be possible without the dedication and support of our partners, collaborators, and the broader TAC community.
February 2026 marks our next major exercise: Defend The Railroad. We’re challenging our community to raise the bar in rail cybersecurity. As we step into the new year, we are energized and focused on these initiatives and more. We will strive for cybersecurity leadership that delivers real-world impact. Together, we don’t just talk about solutions, we make them happen.
Here’s to a new year of action, innovation, and measurable impact. Thank you for being part of the mission.
