For organizations working at the intersection of innovation and national security, one of the greatest challenges isn’t developing cutting-edge technology—it’s securing the clearances and infrastructure to bring that technology into classified environments. Fort Pitt Secure exists to remove those barriers through a combination of virtual security services and industrial security support, uniquely designed for government contractors, research institutions, startups, and enterprises ready to expand into classified programs.
Virtual security services allow Fort Pitt Secure members to access critical support without needing to build in-house systems from scratch. These services fall into two primary areas:
- Personnel Security – Assistance for organizations that need to sponsor or expand staff security clearances. Once cleared, employees can attend classified industry days, R&D events, or other government-hosted engagements.
- Industrial Security Support – Guidance through the process of obtaining a Facility Clearance (FCL), which acts as a security clearance for the company itself. Because firms cannot request an FCL on their own, Fort Pitt Secure—leveraging Parallax Advanced Research—can sponsor member firms to gain access to the classified contracting ecosystem.
By offering these services virtually, organizations can begin their security journey early, prepare their teams, and avoid costly missteps that often delay, or derail classified opportunities.
Addressing Security in Hybrid Work Environments
The rise of remote and hybrid work has amplified vulnerabilities. Employees working from home may unknowingly expose sensitive information through unsecured Wi-Fi, improperly placed screens, or background conversations. Fort Pitt Secure helps firms mitigate these risks by reinforcing best practices—such as using VPNs, conducting regular cybersecurity training, and raising situational awareness at home offices.
Without an FCL, firms remain locked out of classified government work—no matter how innovative their technology. Once granted, companies must also establish internal processes, including hiring a Facility Security Officer (FSO) to manage compliance. Fort Pitt Secure smooths this pathway by offering education, sponsorship, and training to prepare companies for the responsibilities of classified participation.
Who We Serve
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Fort Pitt Secure is focused on mission over margin. Education, training, and accessibility remain at the core of our model. By lowering barriers to entry, we help more organizations cross the threshold into classified work—where their innovations can strengthen national security and directly support the warfighter.
Fort Pitt Secure’s Defense Integration and Innovation (DII) Hub—an ICD 705-compliant SCIF/SAPF facility under construction in Pittsburgh—is designed to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of organizations:
- Government Contractors – Move-in-ready SCIF and collateral spaces to support work with DoD, NASA, DHS, FAA, FBI, and other federal agencies.
- Research Institutions – Universities, FFRDCs, and nonprofits conducting classified or CUI-sensitive research.
- Startups and Small Businesses – Flexible, affordable memberships with access to infrastructure and sponsorship for clearances.
- Expanding Enterprises – Rapidly deployable secure environments with workforce integration to accelerate program growth.
Shaping the Future of Secure Work
Fort Pitt Secure isn’t just building walls—it’s building pathways. Alongside a growing cluster of AI, autonomy, and robotics startups, Fort Pitt Secure is positioning the region to play a leading role in national security innovation.
Congress has recognized the urgency of this mission. Recent legislation directs DoD to expedite clearances and enable private sector classified facilities, precisely the model Fort Pitt Secure is pioneering. By combining virtual services with physical secure spaces, we are ensuring that small and mid-sized firms with transformative technology can compete on equal footing with larger primes.
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Fort Pitt Secure
Fort Pitt Secure (FPS) provides ready-to-use secure workspaces that meet all government standards. FPS is a subsidiary of Parallax Advanced Research, an advanced research institute that tackles global challenges by accelerating innovation and developing technology and solutions through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia across Ohio and the Nation.
About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.
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