Cybersecurity is no longer just about defending networks, it’s about understanding the physical systems those networks support. TAC’s hands-on training environments equip students, professionals, and warfighters with the tools and experience to secure the world’s most vital infrastructure.
Discover ways you can train with The TAC below:
Operational Technology BoOTcamp
This Operational Technology (OT) BoOTcamp equips security professionals with the skills to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the unique cybersecurity risks inherent to Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Control Systems (ICS), preparing you to protect the vital systems that power our world.
“This OT BoOTcamp offers an engaging, hands-on experience. Instead of merely reading about PLCs, you will be actively constructing one. Rather than just viewing diagrams of plants, you’ll recreate a miniature plant in the classroom and monitor your creation. This authentic learning process ensures you truly grasp the material because you are directly involved in it. When you leave, you will have confidence in your knowledge after witnessing your success firsthand. This practical approach is something I find incredibly exciting, and I am thrilled to introduce it to our educational space for cybersecurity.”
– Payton Buss, Cybersecurity Curriculum and Training, Technology Advancement Center
TechValley Cyber Range
TAC’s TechValley cyber range gives teams the unique ability to attack and defend an entire city’s infrastructure, including power, traffic lights, water, and transit.
This 9’x12′ HO-scale model city is more than a diorama, it’s a living, breathing simulation of ICS environments, complete with working PLCs, HMIs, malware, and defenders in the loop.
“There are scale model railroads and then there is TechValley! We are using actual PLCs and HMI industrial hardware to implement city services just as you would find in your own hometown. If you are here for training, you are going to learn how industrial controls implement functions such as water treatment and amusement parks, traffic lights and even a monorail. You should be ready to learn about malware for ICS, initial access exploitation of ICS environments and even industrial protocols such as MODBUS. For the willing, we provide opportunities to write your own simple payloads for manipulation of these services but watch out! Defenders may be watching and waiting to stop you.”
– TAC Training Team Member
Adega Airport Cyber Range
Adega Airport cyber range is a scale-model airport where learners train on aviation-specific ICS protocols and simulate attacks or defenses on fuel delivery, lighting systems, and even air traffic comms. In recent months, airports and aviation have become particularly vulnerable to technology mishaps and cyber attacks. It’s a perfect experience for teams looking to strengthen sector-specific expertise, improve coordination under pressure, and prepare for the unique challenges facing modern aviation infrastructure.
“This range is a 9’x12’ scale model version of a live airport. This environment is unlike anything we’ve ever done before! You will learn about more industrial protocols than ever such as MODBUS and S7COMM. You will have a chance to program your own PLC for the airport aquarium and write your own malicious payloads to exploit airport services such as Fuel Delivery, Airfield Lighting and you will even have the chance to learn about aviation specific communications such as ACARS and ADS-B. Come for 2 days, 5-days or combine your training opportunities to learn about the TechValley and Adega Airport cyber ranges in the same visit for 10-days.”
– TAC Training Team Member
Operational Technology Skids
Operational Technology (OT) Skids are mobile, self-contained units that simulate real-world industrial environments for immersive, hands-on cybersecurity training. Built around specific SCADA or OT use cases such as hospital water systems or HVAC units that respond to real inputs, they give teams practical experience detecting, defending, and responding to industrial cyber threats.
“Operational Technology is the use of PLCs, HMIs to control and monitor physical things. When controlled in a coordinated manner – this is forms a PLANT, like an assembly plant or food preparation/packaging plant. Our ‘OT Skids’ implement modern, vendor specific control equipment connected to real physical devices, such as pumps, valves, linear actuators, motors, lights, etc.”
– Steve Hutchinson, Director of Research, Test & Evaluation, Technology Advancement Center
Ready to Get TACtical?
Cybersecurity is no longer just about defending networks, it’s about understanding the physical systems those networks support. TAC’s hands-on training environments integrate IT and OT defenses, equipping students, professionals, and warfighters with the tools and experience to secure the world’s most vital infrastructure- from airports and smart cities to live industrial systems.
