Defence & Security Podcast Network
Alle afleveringen
944 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
-
CYBER UNCUT: Helping executives understand company cyber security, with 4walls' Nik Devidas
17 maart 2025 · 41 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, 4walls founder and managing director Nik Devidas sat down with host Liam Garman to discuss the technological knowledge gap between company boards and strong cyber security and how 4walls is closing it. Lees meer
The podcast starts by outlining how boards can be overwhelmed with technical language and information when dealing with cyber security.
The pair then discuss the concept of maintaining and updating an understanding of cyber security to keep up with an ever-evolving landscape.
Speaking of a changing landscape, Devidas and Garman finish up by weighing up the impact of AI on the cyber security landscape and how organisations are adopting the technology without introducing protective controls.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
Tariffs, peace (maybe) in Ukraine and a shifting global power struggle
13 maart 2025 · 26 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper and Robert Dougherty explore the recent wave of international announcements, such as the Ukraine 30-day ceasefire, USA tariffs and Australia's future role in the global order. Lees meer
The pair discuss a range of topics, including:
The newly announced tariffs of 25 per cent on all imported steel and aluminium into the United States and Australia's absolute horror at not attaining an exemption.
The continuing discussion regarding the US-led peace deal in Ukraine, Ukraine's acceptance of the US proposal and a look at US President Donald Trump's endgame for the negotiations and minerals remuneration.
The global shifts in international power, the emerging "large over small country" global order and Australia's role in a new sphere of influence strategy.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: Ransomware trends, AI and the fight against cyber crime, with Sophos' Aaron Bugal
10 maart 2025 · 42 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Aaron Bugal, field chief technology officer at Sophos, sits down with host Liam Garman to talk about the fight against ransomware, the growing threat to Australian businesses, and what can be done to tackle the problem. Lees meer
The podcast opens with a discussion of ransomware trends and how cyber criminals choose their targets based on vulnerability and opportunity.
Bugal then expands on how AI is a tool both for malicious actors and cyber defenders and explains how Sophos is deploying AI to help businesses better protect themselves from an array of threats.
Garman and Bugal wrap up the podcast with some practical advice for Australian businesses and how they can prepare to face a critical cyber incident.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Alliance abandonment and realpolitik in global affairs
7 maart 2025 · 27 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman unpack the risk of alliance abandonment in the face of moves from the White House and their implications for a changing Asia-Pacific region. Lees meer
The podcast begins with an analysis into how fears of alliance abandonment have led to renewed commitments to national security collaboration between European powers.
They then unpack whether "deal making" is a strong enough consideration to overcome ideological and philosophical partnerships in the competition for global power.
Dr Thompson, Tarrant and Garman wrap up the podcast looking at hedging and balancing strategies in the Indo-Pacific, and whether realpolitik will take centre stage as nations continuously manoeuvre their alliance structures.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
No escaping it, China is trying to coerce us, with Mike Pezzullo
6 maart 2025 · 46 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by former secretary of home affairs, Mike Pezzullo, to unpack the precedent established by Beijing's naval taskforce circumnavigating Australia and how to deal with more in the future. Lees meer
The pair discuss a range of issues, including:
The government's response to, and the timeline behind the notice of the Chinese naval taskforce's live-fire training exercises in the Tasman Sea.
The tactical and strategic ramifications and shortfalls on display in the Australian Defence Force and government's response to the taskforce.
A suggested crash course program to rapidly accelerate Australia's level of tactical and strategic preparedness within the next term of Parliament.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: The role of test and evaluation in securing AI's role in defence and national security, with Graeme Bick, Ray Bright and Chris White
5 maart 2025 · 41 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Graeme Bick and Ray Bright of QinetiQ Australia and Chris White of Australian Maritime College to discuss the importance of test and evaluation in the era of autonomous systems. Lees meer
The group discuss a range of timely matters, including:
The experience and lessons gathered by QinetiQ and AMC in developing the policies, procedures and knowledge base through T&E across traditional defence platforms through to the advent and proliferation of autonomous systems.
The history of the collaboration between QinetiQ and AMC and their history of advancing state-of-the-art T&E over a long period of time.
The accelerating pace of technology, which has heightened Defence's emphasis on rapidly introducing new capabilities.
The emergence of challenges and opportunities as a result of the integration of various military systems with increasingly complex AI-enabled autonomous systems.
Balancing the need for faster testing while maintaining the same level of assurance remains a critical challenge.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: DeepSeek car troubles, healthcare hacks, and AI video madness
3 maart 2025 · 44 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth and journalist Daniel Croft talk about AI in Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), a horrible week for Aussie healthcare organisations, and unspeakable deepfake videos. Lees meer
Hollingworth and Croft begin by catching up on a report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute on the possible dangers posed by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers adopting DeepSeek for in-car AI.
The pair then run down the latest news in Australian cyber crime, with three healthcare organisations – including the fertility clinic Genea – getting targeted by hackers, and discuss the implications of medical data going public and the very real dangers it poses to patients.
Then, to round out the week, Hollingworth and Croft try not to cry while talking about a ludicrous AI-generated video illustrating Donald Trump's holiday resort fantasy for Gaza and a horrifying deepfake of Trump and Elon Musk in an awkwardly intimate encounter.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
A taste of things to come, with shadow minister for defence Andrew Hastie
27 februari 2025 · 23 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andrew Hastie, shadow minister for defence, to discuss the government's response to the recent "gunboat" diplomacy by China. Lees meer
The pair also discuss the following:
Is the government trying to keep the Australian public calm by talking down the actions of the Chinese naval task force currently off the east coast of Australia?
Does the Australian Defence Force have the tools and resources it needs to stand up to a great power adversary, particularly following the changes in posture and focus by the US government?
What are the steps we need to take in order to make Australia less susceptible to coercion by a great power and build our resilience and make sure that Australia isn't compromised in the event of conflict in the region?
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: More DeepSeek dramas, ransomware-as-a-service on the rise, and hacked games spread malware
24 februari 2025 · 34 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth and journalist Daniel Croft discuss the week that was with DeepSeek versus South Korea, the latest ransomware news, and two malware campaigns spreading their payloads via video games. Lees meer
Hollingworth and Croft open with what is becoming a regular chat about the trials and travails of Chinese AI DeepSeek, which this week violated South Korean data privacy laws. The pair also discuss Elon Musk's attempt to buy out OpenAI and his efforts to ban chat-up Signal on his X platform.
Hollingworth then discusses how ransomware-as-a-service operations are driving a sharp increase in ransomware attacks. The pair then discuss some of the more alarming Australian hacks this week: the Australian National University and IVF clinic Genea.
Finally, it's time to talk video games, with game distribution platform Steam pulling a game that was spreading an info stealer, and a seemingly Russian campaign that was installing crypto-mining malware via torrented games.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: The expanding world of state-sponsored cyber warfare
21 februari 2025 · 39 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Liam Garman welcomes Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth, a cyber security expert and Cyber Uncut podcast host, to unpack the latest in hacking and cyber security in the new era of grey-zone warfare and nation-state cyber attacks. Lees meer
They begin the podcast examining real world examples of warfare-motivated hacking, threat actors for hire, the impact of cyber threats and incidents for nations around the world.
They then discuss the differences between "smash-and-grab" ransomware attacks with persistent and embedded state-sponsored cyber attacks.
The podcast wraps up examining the increasing speed, accuracy and impact of cyber attacks on industry and government infrastructure across international lines.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
Getting our naval force structure right, with Jennifer Parker
20 februari 2025 · 34 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Jennifer Parker, expert associate at the National Security College - Australian National University and a former Navy officer, to discuss the future of the Royal Australian Navy's surface fleet. Lees meer
The pair discuss the recent debate about the utility of small missile boats in the Australian context and their applicability for the Royal Australian Navy.
The pair also discuss:
China's recent deployment of a surface action group, currently operating 150 nautical miles off the coast of Sydney, and the challenges the Royal Australian Navy currently faces in responding to these subtle provocations.
The growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific and increasing competition in our region, placing mounting pressure on the RAN to secure Australia's critical sea lines of communication and maritime trade.
What options and avenues are open for the next Australian government to rapidly increase the Navy's capability while avoiding the trap of "silver bullet" capabilities that may leave us with a lopsided force.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: Training – key to the National Defence Strategy, with CAE's James Digges
18 februari 2025 · 32 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, James Digges, Strategy and Growth - Naval at CAE Australia, joins host Liam Garman to discuss Australia's need for operational readiness and how training is fundamental to achieving the objectives laid out in the National Defence Strategy. Lees meer
They begin the podcast unpacking how to enhance operational readiness and how training must keep pace with the demands of integrated multi-domain warfare.
Digges then dives into the world of interoperability and interchangeability in the modern defence environment, and how to deliver consistent training standards to address compatibility issues and grow a larger force.
The podcast wraps up looking into the integrated and networked training environment, and how improved training can overcome constraints experienced by modern defence forces.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team -
CYBER UNCUT: DeepSeek is still a thing, CommBank has an outage, and happy Valentine's Day!
17 februari 2025 · 35 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth talks about all the latest AI and cyber news with journalist Daniel Croft - more local ransomware attacks, more data breaches, and scams to watch out for. Lees meer
Hollingworth and Croft open once again with all the latest AI news, from more bans of the Chinese chatbot DeepSeek to Elon Musk and a whole bunch of venture capitalists wanting to buy OpenAI to Sam Altman's promise that AI will inevitably get cheaper over time.
The pair then discuss the week of cyber attacks against Australian organisations. From medical imaging data of Aussies being posted to the dark web to a ransomware gang taking responsibility for hacking an Australian university, it's been a grim week in cyber crime.
Finally, it's Valentine's Day, and scammers will be out in force, so Hollingworth runs through some common scams to watch out for. Croft then discusses a win for Australian investigators against a Russian hosting service facilitating hackers targeting local companies and individuals.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
Unpacking the impacts of a disruptive new US Defense secretary
14 februari 2025 · 40 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Liam Garman unpack the latest developments on the global stage. Lees meer
The trio discuss a range of topics including:
The fallout following new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's trip to Europe and the prospects of a US shift away from Europe to focus on the Indo-Pacific.
Europe's declining national resilience and its dependence on the United States.
The likelihood of a US-led peace deal in Ukraine and revelations that both US and Russian presidents have committed to mutual visits and a de-escalation of the tensions between the two nations.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: More DeepSeek musings, how ransomware reporting works, and North Korea at it again
10 februari 2025 · 42 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman quizzes Cyber Daily's deputy editor, David Hollingworth, on geopolitics, cyber crime reporting, and the latest hacking news. Lees meer
Garman and Hollingworth begin with a discussion about DeepSeek and its geopolitical implications, as well as its biases and possible advantages over other GenAI products - and the fact that it probably cannot be trusted.
Hollingworth then goes into a deep dive about cyber crime reporting: why it matters, how companies should include media response as part of their planning for attacks, and some of the ways companies can do better when handling that first phone call from a journalist planning on writing a story.
The pair finish up by talking about North Korean hackers using LinkedIn to lure their victims into installing a swathe of malware and a general look at the state of cyber politics.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Regaining the qualitative advantag
7 februari 2025 · 32 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, Liam Garman and Phil Tarrant unpack the latest in the AI race, and how the United States is seeking to use tariffs to regain the economic edge. Lees meer
They begin the podcast examining the DeepSeek phenomenon, why Nvidia share prices took a hit, and looking under the hood to see if the tech is as good as advertised.
They then look at the recent threats and imposition of tariffs and how this will impact the US, and whether a strengthening US dollar is indicative of growing consumer optimism.
The podcast wraps up examining the relationship between foreign aid and national security and moves in the US to suspend aid.
Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team
-
PODCAST: Threats, theatre and tariffs in Trump's world, with the Defence Connect team
6 februari 2025 · 36 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Steve Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Liam Garman unpack the fast moves and overall strategy being employed by the new US administration, led by returning US President, Donald Trump. Lees meer
The podcast commences with an analysis of the opening salvo of US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Panama under America's new "carry a big stick" policy.
Kuper, Dougherty and Garman then differentiate fact from fiction in the new US President's economic and international strategy.
The podcast wraps up with a brief look on internal policies being undertaken, the border control in relation to national security and possible outcomes under Trump's reinstallation of the America first, last and always approach.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: The meteoric rise of DeepSeek, Clop ransomware goes wild, and a hacker retires
3 februari 2025 · 39 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft look back on their week reporting on cyber crime in Australia and abroad. Lees meer
Croft opens the show with a round-up of the biggest story of the week - Chinese AI platform DeepSeek. From how it works, why it's trashed NVIDIA's stock, and the very real security concerns, DeepSeek is going to be a story for some time.
Hollingworth then looks at the recent spate of ransomware posts made by the Clop gang - it promised last year that it had stolen a lot of data via vulnerabilities in Cleo's file transfer software, and over the weekend, the gang posted the details of 60 victims, including three Australian firms.
Finally, after talking about the dangers of mistaken identity in cyber crime reporting, the pair talk about infamous hacker IntelBroker and his decision to retire from the role of admin on a popular hacking forum.
Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
-
CONTESTED GROUND: What's in store for 2025? Part 2
31 januari 2025 · 18 min
As the global economy and political environment continue to become increasingly unpredictable, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack what's in store for 2025 using diplomacy, information, military and economic (DIME) analysis. This podcast represents the second of two episodes, where the hosts provide insight into the latest military and economic events, and how they impact us at home in Australia. Lees meer
The trio begin examining the recent appointment of Pete Hegseth as the US Secretary of Defense and how the incoming administration will shape the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific.
They then look at the global economy, and whether the US economy will undergo a resurgence with a strengthening US dollar and an ambition to reduce the government's $36 trillion debt.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
Boosting women's involvement in defence industry, with Rachel Falzon, Women in Defence Association
30 januari 2025 · 26 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with Rachel Falzon, founder and national president of the Women in Defence Association, to discuss the important role women play in boosting outcomes for defence and defence industry. Lees meer
The pair also discuss:
Falzon's inspiration for launching the Women in Defence Association and the challenges facing women involved in boosting representation in Defence and defence industry.
The rapid growth of the association and its ambition to engage with women across the nation who are interested in supporting national security.
The benefits provided by boosting diversity across defence industry, in the boardroom and throughout the process regardless of the role.
Enjoy the Podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: Delivering a sovereign small arms and load carriage capability, with Aquaterro's Graeme Bulte
28 januari 2025 · 25 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, the team from Defence Connect travel to Victoria to sit down with Graeme Bulte, chief executive officer and founder of Aquaterro. Lees meer
They discuss developing a sovereign uniform and load carriage capability, and how Aquaterro is delivering for Defence and law enforcement.
The podcast then turns to unpacking the latest innovations in small arms, in particular, the new innovative range of SIG Sauer weapons and how this will impact sovereign readiness and combat capability.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: JB Hi-Fi not hacked, hacktivists keep at it, and Trump trashes cyber security
27 januari 2025 · 37 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft look back on their week reporting on cyber crime in Australia and abroad. Lees meer
Croft and Hollingworth talk about a hack that really wasn't - the 2023 Dymocks data breach is commonly resold on hacking forums, and Croft has found another instance of an enterprising type trying to make money from a previous compromise, and it did not end well for them.
Finally, the pair discuss how hacktivists crave publicity in return for very little actual hacking and Hewlett Packard Enterprise's (HPE) most recent investigation into another alleged data breach, before talking about the state of cyber crime reporting in the first month of 2025. Buckle in; it's going to be one heck of a year.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: What's in store for 2025?
24 januari 2025 · 27 min
As the global economy and political environment continue to become increasingly unpredictable, hosts Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack what's in store for 2025 using diplomacy, information, military and economic (DIME) analysis. Lees meer
This podcast represents the first of two episodes, where the hosts provide insight into the latest diplomatic and information events, and how they impact us at home in Australia.
The trio begin by examining the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and whether it will likely hold in the current environment.
They then turn to the Ukraine War and Britain's 100-year pledge.
They then look at the incoming White House's approach to TikTok, and whether information should be considered a military domain.
Stay tuned for the next episode, where the trio unpack military and economic power.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
Royal Australian Navy minehunters' new purpose after service, with Frank van der Linde
23 januari 2025 · 32 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by travellers and entrepreneurs Frank van der Linde and Kerry Leach. Lees meer
The pair are the new owners of two decommissioned Royal Australian Navy minehunters - HMAS Norman and HMAS Hawkesbury.
The former military vessels have been towed more than 3,800 nautical miles from Newcastle, Australia, to Cebu, Philippines, as they prepare for a new lease on life as private superyachts.
The trio discuss:
The origins of the two minehunter vessels, how the sale was completed and some complications along the way.
The challenges of using former military equipment in the commercial industry and documenting their journey via the YouTube channel, Living the Oneironaut Life.
The plans for the vessels and the construction efforts still to come.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
Building a robust, fit for purpose ADF, with Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh MP
21 januari 2025 · 38 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the Honourable Matt Keogh MP, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs, to discuss the latest developments shaping the Defence workforce. Lees meer
Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans' Affairs Matt Keogh MP to discuss the latest developments shaping the Defence workforce.
The pair also discuss:
The major milestones in the government's efforts to build the uniformed Defence workforce through 2024, including the release of the 2024 Defence Workforce Plan and Strategic Review of the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
The key work done to overhaul Defence recruiting and ensure that the recruitment process is fit for the contemporary labour market and to the standards expected by Australian taxpayers.
The life-long training and professional development opportunities available with a career in the Australian Defence Force, and the efforts being made to ensure that veterans have a seamless transition into the broader economy when they leave the ADF.
Enjoy the Podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: Cyber attacks increased year on year in 2024 and the latest in cyber security news
20 januari 2025 · 27 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft take yet another look back at a year of cyber incidents and talk about how 2024 saw incidents rise by almost half again. The pair also look at a hacktivist group targeting Australian websites, the still ongoing UnitedHealth saga, a dangerous hacking that may be on the horizon, and the latest in ransomware attacks on Australian organisations. Lees meer
Hollingworth and Croft kick off the chat with Check Point Software Technologies' look back at the year that was, with 2024 seeing 44 per cent more cyber incidents than the previous year. The pair talk about how that matches their expectations, from nation-state actors to hacktivists and, of course, ransomware and cyber crime.
Croft then goes into his own investigations into the RipperSec hacktivist group, while Hollingworth looks into vulnerabilities impacting a popular firewall device that has been extensively exploited in the past and could well be about to be hacked en masse again.
Finally, Croft looks at the latest chapter in the UnitedHealth hack from last year and some rather disturbing allegations that the giant insurance company is not entirely being above board with its reporting. The pair then look back at the week that just passed and the nearly half-dozen ransomware attacks targeting organisations in the ANZ region. It's been a busy start to the year.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: What Trump's Panama Canal comments mean for maritime law
17 januari 2025 · 23 min
How might the recent threat from US President-elect Donald Trump impact practitioners in this space? Lees meer
In this recent crossover episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Jerome Doraisamy, editor of Lawyers Weekly, sat down with The Shipping Lawyer, Alison Cusack, to discuss the shipping law landscape in 2024 and what was learnt from that year, the recent threat from Donald Trump to take back control of the Panama Canal and the history of the canal (and lessons from the Suez Canal experience).
Cusack also discusses the frequency with which shipping lawyers have to adapt to geopolitical shifts and navigate client expectations.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
SPOTLIGHT: How AIR 6500 will defend Australia's shores, with Lockheed Martin Australia's Liam Catterson
16 januari 2025 · 27 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Liam Catterson, business development manager Integrated Air and Missile Defence Lead, Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin Australia, joins host Liam Garman to lift the hood on AIR 6500. Lees meer
The two Liams begin the podcast discussing how the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), AIR 6500 Phase 1, will protect Australia's shores and what's been delivered on AIR 6500 to date.
They then unpack how Australian industry capability fits into AIR 6500 and the benefits that it will offer the Australian Defence Force.
The pair then turn to what next-generation technologies the JABMS will utilise to provide air and missile defence to the Australian Defence Force, and what the end game looks like.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: UN aviation authority hacked and the EU fines the EU
13 januari 2025 · 27 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft wonder if they can fill a podcast with just four days of news in the new year, and of course, they can. From a hacker with a habit of going after big political targets to some of the big numbers of the previous year to geopolitics and terrorist data breaches, 2025 has kicked off with a bang. Lees meer
Hollingworth starts things off with notorious hacker Natohub's latest exploits – leaking the recruitment data of around 42,000 recruitment forms belonging to the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization. It's far from the hacker's first rodeo, so Hollingworth and Croft go over some of past exploits as well.
Croft talks up the curious case of the hacker who managed to breach the terrorist organisation ISIS. Meanwhile, Hollingworth goes over some cyber incident statistics from 2024, including the fact that Europe was the most hacked region on the planet, mostly driven by the war in Ukraine. The pair also discuss a Ukrainian success story following the total disruption of a Russian ISP by Ukrainian hackers.
The pair round things up with a playful look at a recent case of the European Union fining itself over a GDPR violation, and some exciting news for the Cyber Daily website.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Picking up where we left off, 2025 shapes up to be a disruptive year
10 januari 2025 · 30 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Liam Garman are joined by Momentum Media's senior defence and national security analyst and government relations manager, Steve Kuper, to discuss the latest geopolitical developments. Lees meer
The trio discuss the key developments over the Christmas and New Year period that are setting the scene for a truly transformative midway point for the 2020s.
They also discuss:
Ongoing diplomatic efforts by the incoming Trump administration to resolve the Russia–Ukraine war and the situation on the ground.
The Boxing Day revelation of apparent sixth-generation fighter aircraft by the People's Republic of China and Beijing's ambitious ship commissioning schedule for 2025, which will dramatically reshape the balance of power.
The implications of the incoming Trump administration on the global geopolitical and economic environment.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
SPOTLIGHT: Engaging with Australia's next-generation Defence STEM workforce, with DSTG's Dr Carolyn Patteson and Dr Mike Wilson
9 januari 2025 · 53 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect ADSTAR series, Dr Carolyn Patteson, Chief Science Strategic Planning & Engagement within the Defence Science and Technology Group, and DSTG's Dr Mike Wilson sit down with host Liam Garman to discuss the unique opportunities that lie ahead for young Australians studying STEM. Lees meer
Dr Patteson begins by unpacking her own employment history, and how a love of maths kick-started a career that spanned cyber security, cryptography and even modelling for traditional warfighting.
The podcast continues with Dr Wilson unpacking how Defence is engaging the next generation to encourage a career in STEM and showcase the exciting pathways that await them.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Iran's collapsing sphere of influence
3 januari 2025 · 23 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman discuss the fall of Bashar al-Assad and the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. Lees meer
They begin the podcast debating whether the unfolding Israel–Hamas conflict will have the same level of strategic significance for Israel as the Yom Kippur War or the Six-Day War.
Tarrant, Thompson and Garman then discuss how the conflict has altered the balance of power in the Middle East, severing Iran's crescent of influence by weakening Hamas and Hezbollah, coupled with the fall of Assad.
They wrap up the podcast examining what nations, if any, might assume the role of a security benefactor in the Middle East with a weakened Iran, and emerging open-source intelligence (OSINT) collection vectors.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
CYBER UNCUT: The year in review and a look at the year ahead
22 december 2024 · 32 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft take a look back at some of the biggest and most intriguing stories of the year, from CrowdStrike's outage and amazing response to the takedown of ransomware giant LockBit. Lees meer
Croft kicks off with the epic story of the Change Healthcare hack, which saw the data of about a third of the population of the United States compromised. But it wasn't just the scale of the hack; it was also the behind-the-scenes manoeuvering between greedy ransomware-as-a-service operators, hacker affiliates just wanting to get paid, and a company realising that it really does have to pay an exorbitant ransom.
The pair then discuss the takedown of ransomware giant LockBit and the remarkably sassy response of the law enforcement agencies behind the operation, before looking back at another ransomware operation that turned out to be nothing but an extensive scam.
Lastly, Croft and Hollingworth look back at July's CrowdStrike outage, both its wide-ranging impact and what turned out to be an excellent and comprehensive response from CrowdStrike itself, before turning the gaze forward to wonder what they might see in 2025.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
DEFENCE PROPERTY PODCAST: Understanding the ever-changing landscape of regional property investment
22 december 2024 · 44 min
Understanding the dynamics of regional areas in Australia can offer lucrative opportunities for investors. Lees meer
In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, co-hosts Liam Garman and Discover Buyers Agency's Kane Dury sit down with Morgan Oliver, director and sales agent of JMO Property Group, to unpack the ins and outs of property investment in the town of Gatton.
Gatton, in regional Queensland, is poised for economic growth with major infrastructure projects underway, such as a medium-security prison and a high-speed rail, creating thousands of stable government jobs, which the trio highlight as appealing for property investors.
The group also discusses how investors in the defence sector can focus on regional areas to grow their portfolio by buying property at each posting, leveraging grants like Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS) and Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) to gain financial benefits, and then rent-vest to foster cash flow and long-term portfolio growth.
-
A proud history of providing debate and connecting sailors, with Mark Schweikert, federal president, Navy League of Australia
20 december 2024 · 35 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the newly confirmed federal president of the Navy League of Australia, Mark Schweikert, to discuss the proud history of the league in supporting the mission of the Royal Australian Navy. Lees meer
The pair discuss the long-standing history of the Navy League and its earliest days supporting public interest in and engagement with the Royal Australian Navy dating back to its foundation in 1901.
They also discuss:
The services the league provides to current and former naval personnel, including the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on the issues facing the nation's sea power.
The importance of the Royal Australian Navy and naval sea power for Australia and critical capabilities worth considering further development on, including fixed-wing naval aviation.
The role the league plays in working with Defence and naval cadets to encourage more Australians into the Navy.
Schweikert's long history of association with the Navy and the league and his ambitions for the future of the league.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Ukraine's freedom of manoeuvre in the information domain
20 december 2024 · 31 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the future of warfighting in the information domain. Lees meer
They begin the podcast unpacking major national security developments for 2024 and how global powers have continued to exploit the grey zone, before unpacking an absence of ownership of the information domain in Australia when examining the DIME construct – diplomacy, information, military, and economic.
The trio then discuss Ukraine's exploitation of the information environment, and how the modern battlefield nevertheless reflects the Clauswitzian notion that the nature of war never changes.
Tarrant, Thompson and Garman then predict how the incoming US administration will impact the conflict.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
SPOTLIGHT: GWEO – protecting Australian sovereignty, with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Controls' James Heading
18 december 2024 · 21 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, James Heading, director of Programs, Strategic Capabilities Office, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, joins host Liam Garman to provide an update on the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (GWEO), and what the enterprise's next steps might look like after the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) production. Lees meer
Heading and Garman begin the podcast looking at the Guided Weapons Production Capability Risk Reduction Activity and Strategic Partner Services contracts, and how they will build a robust and resilient supply chain to protect Australia's national sovereignty.
They then discuss the Lockheed Martin–Thales teaming agreement overseeing solid rocket motors and warheads, and how the GWEO's success lies in leveraging partnerships from SMEs to academia and through to global primes.
The pair wrap up the podcast discussing what the logical progression for GWEO is after achieving GMLRS production.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: AUKUS Pillar II – how technology sharing is strengthening our national security, with FAS Stephen Moore and Dr Nigel McGinty
17 december 2024 · 32 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect ADSTAR series, Stephen Moore, First Assistant Secretary AUKUS Advanced Capabilities, and Dr Nigel McGinty, Defence Science and Technology Group Chief Technology Officer – Science Strategy, Communications and International Engagement, join Liam Garman to unpack how technology sharing arrangements improve our collective AUKUS security. Lees meer
Moore and Garman begin the podcast discussing the strategic rationale for AUKUS Pillar II, and how sharing insights into AI, electronic warfare, undersea warfare, hypersonics, quantum and cyber make the AUKUS alliance stronger than the sum of its parts.
They then discuss how the three governments are enabling technology transfer, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations reform and improved governance frameworks, before analysing efforts on how the three nations can energise their combined industrial base.
Dr McGinty wraps up the podcast detailing how AUKUS Pillar II provides unique asymmetric advantages for the Australian Defence Force, and in particular, the role of cyber and information on the modern battlefield.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: Hacktivists target Australian websites, and USMC hacked
16 december 2024 · 27 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss a widespread hacking campaign by a network of hacktivist groups and an alleged data breach impacting United States Marine Corps personnel. The pair also catch up on the evolving case of the apparent assassination of UnitedHealthcare's CEO and talk about the threat of Chinese espionage operations against telecommunications companies. Lees meer
Hollingworth and Croft begin by breaking down a campaign by a raft of pro-Russian and pro-Palestine hacktivist groups that recently targeted more than 60 Australian organisations, taking websites offline, defacing others, and even getting into a handful of operational technology environments.
Croft then breaks down an alleged data breach that saw the personal details of thousands of US Marine Corps personnel leaked on a popular hacking forum. He also goes into some detail about the challenges of reporting and investigating data leaks.
Finally, Hollingworth and Croft catch up on the latest developments in the case of the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and then share stories from a pair of recent discussions with experts from CrowdStrike and BlackBerry regarding the insidious threat of Chinese espionage efforts in the telecommunications sector.
Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
-
CONTESTED GROUND: The intersection of national security and Australia's declining economic performance
13 december 2024 · 41 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, special host Steve Kuper is joined by co-host Major General (Ret'd) Marcus Thompson and AMP's chief economist, Shane Oliver, to discuss the latest economic data and what it means for the nation's economic and national security. Lees meer
The trio discuss the recently released Australian gross domestic product figures and the impact of Australia's ailing economy on national security.
They also discuss:
Australia's collapsing productivity and the growth of record government spending on the national economy and the baked-in, long-term structural deficits that will characterise the future fiscal outlook for the country.
The need to boost economic complexity and diversity to better prepare the nation to face the mounting geopolitical and "whole-of-nation" efforts being leveraged against Australia in this new multipolar world and how best to deliver such a monumental change.
The urgent need for a serious national debate with the Australian public about the future of the country and its economic future and the intersection of national security.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team -
Unleashing Australian know-how to grow military power fast, with John Storey, Institute of Public Affairs
12 december 2024 · 42 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by John Storey, director of law and policy at the Institute of Public Affairs, to discuss the third of the IPA's Defence of Australia report series. Lees meer
The pair discuss the significant collaborative research being conducted by the Institute of Public Affairs and Strategic Analysis Australia to stimulate conversation and debate about the need to urgently accelerate the nation's defence and defence industry capabilities.
The pair also discuss:
Core suggestions around reforming the existing Defence procurement processes and procedures that are hindering our acceleration of capability acquisition.
The urgent need to begin stockpiling critical war stocks, including ammunition, liquid fuel, pharmaceuticals and other critical resources that would otherwise leave the national economy unable to function.
The creation of an Australian Industry Mobilisation and Resilience Council to plan for how Australia's non-defence sectors can be mobilised in case of war.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: Developing risk frameworks for Defence, with Atturra's Andrew Balmaks
9 december 2024 · 29 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Andrew Balmaks, defence and national security industry lead at Atturra, joins host Liam Garman to discuss enterprise risk management for Defence. Lees meer
They begin the podcast discussing how Defence is managing risk at a group and enterprise level, before unpacking how Atturra leverages its unique expertise from resources and other sectors to support Defence.
The pair then discuss the impediments to effective risk planning and management, and why things go wrong even when risk management systems are in place.
They wrap up the podcast unpacking what "good" looks like in developing leading risk frameworks.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: AI for university assignments, hurting tomorrow's leaders?
9 december 2024 · 38 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Daniel Croft discuss recent changes in Australian cyber policy and recent cyber crime activity. The two debate the controversial social media ban and the use of AI in university assessments, before discussing a website defacement case that could be the start of something much bigger, as well as the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Lees meer
The podcast begins with a discussion of Sydney University's move to allow students to use AI tools for assessments, one that Croft believes could prepare students for a future AI workplace, while Garman thinks it deprives students of higher, critical thought.
The two then debate the recently passed social media age ban, what it means for young people's mental health on and offline and the way it was approached by the government.
Croft then outlines a case of website defacement on an Australian disability service provider, which could be the start of a wider campaign, as the threat group has begun forming alliances with other cyber criminals, all with their sights on Australia.
Finally, Garman and Croft don their tinfoil hats to speculate on theories as to why the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, which had suffered a massive ransomware attack this year, was gunned down in New York.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Maritime competition drives need for an Australian Coast Guard, with Jennifer Parker
6 december 2024 · 43 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, special host Steve Kuper is joined by Jennifer Parker, expert associate at the National Security College, Australian National University and a former Navy officer, to discuss the growing need for an Australian Coast Guard. The pair discuss the mounting level of hybrid and grey zone warfare in the maritime commons and economic exclusion zones across the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia, which has prompted a radical shift among regional nations seeking to secure their maritime interests. The pair also discuss: Lees meer
The impact on the naval surface fleet as it is increasingly called upon to engage in maritime border patrol and security missions across Australia's vast maritime area of responsibility.
The regional trend towards establishing a formalised Coast Guard to ease the burden on regional navies and a variety of models available for Australian consideration.
The history of Australia's push towards developing a Coast Guard and the opportunity to provide an additional contributing capability for national security in the event of conflict in the region.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team
-
From review to delivery, with Chris Deeble AO CSC, Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group
5 december 2024 · 51 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Chris Deeble AO CSC, Deputy Secretary, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), as they unpack the formative year that has been for Australia's burgeoning defence industry. Lees meer
The pair discuss the significant work currently underway to reform Australia's defence capability acquisition and procurement ecosystem, including:
The key lessons for CASG through the engagement, development and now delivery phases of the government's Defence Industry Development Strategy.
How Australia is working with like-minded nations, in particular the United States and the United Kingdom, and their efforts to modernise their own defence industrial bases.
The key priorities central to delivering the next stage of the Defence Industry Development Strategy over the next 12 months.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
SPOTLIGHT: Unpacking the AI transformation of the modern battlefield, with Advent Atum CEO Andy Wilson and Ukrainian ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko
2 december 2024 · 37 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andy Wilson, CEO of Advent Atum, and Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, where they unpack the transformation of the modern battlefield by artificial intelligence (AI) in Ukraine. The trio discuss a range of topics, including: Lees meer
The role Australian artificial intelligence company Advent Atum plays on the ground in Ukraine, through the integration of advanced AI capabilities into the Ukrainian air defence network.
The scale and scope of AI innovation currently transforming the modern battlefield and providing Ukraine with a potent asymmetric warfare capability and levelling the playing field against the larger Russian forces.
Lessons for Australia regarding the proliferation of advanced AI capabilities and the powerful role it can play in easing the manpower requirements for small militaries like Australia.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team -
CYBER UNCUT: The week in cyber security, with journalists David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft
2 december 2024 · 30 min
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft break down the last week in the cyber world. We talk politics, policy, and the truly terrible legislation that is the social media ban, before moving on to talk about recent ransomware attacks and data breaches impacting Australian businesses. Lees meer
The podcast begins with Croft unpacking the new Cyber Security Act that passed into law this week, before both joining in for a discussion with Hollingworth about the social media age ban that is being more or less rammed through Parliament. The pair lay out their objections to the legislation, the harm it might do the children it is trying to protect, and how it might be enforced.
Croft then outlines a data breach that may be impacting up to 47,000 Telstra employees, while Hollingworth launches into some background on a new ransomware gang, SafePay, that has been targeting Australian businesses.
Finally, the pair wrap up with a general discussion on some of the pitfalls of cyber security reporting.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team -
CONTESTED GROUND: Ongoing risk of nation-state attackers, ASD; misinformation bill defeated
29 november 2024 · 19 min
In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, Liam Garman and Phil Tarrant unpack findings from the Australian Signals Directorate's (ASD) Annual Cyber Threat Report 2023-2024 and the challenge of building a governance framework that disrupts the purveyors of disinformation. Lees meer
The trio unpack findings from the ASD, in particular the ongoing risk Australia's critical infrastructure providers face at the hand of adversarial nation-state actors, and how Australia must prepare for this growing risk.
They then discuss what governance frameworks the government can implement to disrupt the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation online, while being careful to protect liberal values such as freedom of expression.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team
-
A year in review with Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, the Honourable Pat Conroy MP
29 november 2024 · 34 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, to discuss the year that was 2024 in defence industry. Lees meer
The pair discuss:
The key lessons for the minister behind the process of the Defence Industry Development Strategy, National Defence Strategy, Integrated Investment Program and Surface Fleet Review.
The key highlights for Minister Conroy throughout the year 2024.
The impact of recent major announcements, including the downselect of the general purpose frigate program, the reprioritisation of funding for JP 9102 and Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise Plan.
What to expect in the year ahead for Defence, defence industry and national security.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team -
SPOTLIGHT: Navigating the rising tide of trusted autonomy, with Dr Greg Bain and Brigadier James Davis
27 november 2024 · 48 min
In this episode of the Defence Connect ADSTAR series, Defence Science and Technology Group acting chief of platforms Dr Greg Bain and DSTG Director General Future Land Warfare, Land Capability Division, Brigadier James Davis join host Liam Garman to discuss the evolving role and importance of trusted autonomy in a changing battlespace. Lees meer
They begin the podcast discussing the past 12 months of development on trusted autonomy by Defence and opportunities the DTSG has used to further their autonomy research.
Bain then describes DTSG's involvement in testing environments such as Autonomous Warrior and the collaborative assistance of international partners.
The podcast then turns to the rise of uncrewed aerial systems and their usage in military forces, such as the Australian Defence Force.
They wrap up the podcast with BRIG Davis examining the strategic importance of directed energy and trusted autonomy systems in the changing battlespace.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team