Defence & Security Podcast Network

A truly hard-hitting discussion of challenges and triumphs in the Defence community. In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Families of Veterans Guild CEO Renee Wilson, board chair Tricia Hobson as well as board director and interim deputy chair Jennifer Collins. The group takes a look back at the roots of the establishment of War Widows Guild in NSW in June 1946 and how support for veterans and their families has progressed since then. They also unpack the personal stories behind supporting serving personnel and their families. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about NSWEduChat, a virtual Charlie Kirk, the impact of a cyber incident disrupting airports across Europe, and how Australian not-for-profits are getting a new tool to face a rising tide of ransomware attacks. Croft and Hollingworth open proceedings with Instagram’s new AI age assurance checks then talk about the new AI tool being rolled out to NSW public school students and how promising it looks. The pair also discuss the ramifications of creating a deepfake of Charlie Kirk to address packed crowds at US megachurches in the wake of his murder and about a data leak on a website set up by American conservatives to out anyone speaking ill of Kirk. They also share an update on the Jaguar Land Rover hack which is still disrupting production in the UK and walk through a ransomware attack that has crippled a string of major European airports. Finally, Hollingworth and Croft find some good news, with NSW enacting legislation to tackle harmful deepfakes and a service offering cyber attack simulations to the not-for-profit sector, which has experienced a surge in malicious activity so far this year. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing editor Steve Kuper speaks with Andrew Henderson, director of AgSecure and a leading voice on agricultural resilience, biosecurity, and national preparedness. Together, they explore the recently released National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, the importance of critical inputs like fuel and fertiliser, the implications of trade disputes, and the growing need to integrate food systems into defence planning. The pair also discuss why food security is no longer just an agricultural issue – it’s a national security imperative. With global supply chains under pressure, climate risks mounting, and adversaries willing to target agricultural systems through biosecurity breaches or even agroterrorism, Australia faces a complex challenge in safeguarding the nation’s food and fibre production. From the risks of varroa mite and foot and mouth disease to the opportunities of regional self-reliance and biotechnology, Henderson outlines why food security must be elevated to the same level of priority as Australia’s defence posture – and why a secure Indo-Pacific is, ultimately, a well-fed one. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team  

In this episode, host Steve Kuper sits down with Benjamin Rice, managing director at Coherics, to unpack the critical role of training and simulation in preparing the Australian Defence Force and its allies for the challenges of modern warfare. From the vast live-fire exercises of Talisman Sabre to the increasingly vital domains of cyber, space and multi-domain operations, the conversation explores how realistic training environments are evolving to keep pace with technological change and operational demands. Drawing on his extensive Air Force career and industry expertise, Rice provides unique insights into the blending of live, synthetic and constructive training, and the importance of innovation in getting capability into the hands of the warfighter faster. Together, they examine the future of training – from gaming-inspired immersion and augmented reality to tailored, on-demand learning solutions designed to accelerate readiness – and the cultural and institutional shifts required to make it all possible. This is a deep dive into the future of defence training and simulation and how Australian industry is driving solutions that will keep our people sharp, adaptable and ready for the battlefield of tomorrow. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and its incorporation in Australian education, the latest from ransomware operators targeting Australian organisations, and the alleged retirement of Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing UNSW and its partnership with OpenAI, which will see 10,000 licenses rolled out to students. The pair then discuss new and older ransomware gangs, with a new sophisticated ransomware operation called The Gentlemen coming out of the gates strong, while Kairos continues to harm Australian businesses. Croft and Hollingworth then discuss the ongoing Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack, which has led to increased factory operation delays. Finally, the two discuss action by eSafety to introduce new safeguards in the popular online game Roblox to protect children from predators, a move that Roblox seems to be complying with. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

What happens when a woman with the “how hard can it be” gene takes on the male-dominated world of cyber and national security? In this episode of The Progress Report, Defence Connect’s Tash Taylor sits down with Niru Verma, partner at Excelium, to unpack the twists and turns of her career – from 11 years in the APS to launching her own business, to leading teams in one of Canberra’s fastest-growing cyber firms. With candour and warmth, Niru shares how Post-it notes on her wall shaped her career goals, why authenticity matters more than conformity, and how mentorship can change the trajectory of women’s careers in STEM. This is a story of resilience, problem-solving, and redefining leadership in the technical industry. The Progress Report. New voices. Real stories. Big shifts. Enjoy the podcast, The Progress Report team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Peter Behrendt, managing director of defence for Serco Asia-Pacific, to unpack the role of Serco in supporting the Royal Australian Navy. They discuss the countdown to Indo Pacific 2025, with much of the spotlight falling on Australia’s maritime capabilities – particularly with the recent announcement of the evolved Mogami Class frigates and the impact these advanced vessels are expected to have as the future backbone of the Royal Australian Navy. They also discuss Serco’s contribution across Australia and New Zealand. With a workforce of around 2,500 employees spanning 85 sites, Serco delivers critical services for the Australian Defence Force, from logistics and training to medical support. The company also plays a direct role in supporting the RAN across major bases, including Darwin, Cairns, Stirling, and Garden Island in Sydney. In this episode, we also dive into: Serco’s operation of the Nuyina, Australia’s cutting-edge Antarctic icebreaker, and the discussions around a potential second vessel. Opportunities for enhanced collaboration in maritime security, including with partners like the US Coast Guard. The adoption of emerging technologies – from AI and machine learning to additive manufacturing – in supporting the ADF. The game-changing potential of autonomous systems, such as Serco’s USX-1 Nomars unmanned vessel. The importance of building a pipeline of young Australians into defence careers, with service framed as community contribution.As Australia looks to bolster its sovereign industrial base and prepare for an increasingly contested maritime environment, Serco’s integration of technology, innovation, and trusted services offers valuable insight into the path ahead. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI news, concerning developments in the world of cyber crime, and recommendations by the Law Council of Australia regarding the next phase of the nation’s Cyber Security Strategy. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing eSafety and changes made to the Online Safety Act to ensure that young children are less vulnerable to the dangers of sexually explicit and other AI chatbots. The pair then discuss the dramatic increase in ransomware attacks worldwide and in Australia, as well as the Australian Cyber Security Centre’s alarm over a year-old vulnerability being exploited against Australian organisations. Croft and Hollingworth then discuss the ongoing Jaguar Land Rover cyber attack, with data now confirmed compromised and an impact that could last until at least next month. Finally, the two discuss the Law Council of Australia’s recommendations for Horizon 2 of the Australian Cyber Security Strategy, which suggest that small businesses should have their cyber security subsidised. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the Honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for home affairs, for a hard-hitting discussion on the shifting nature of Australia’s national security challenges. No longer confined to conventional defence or counter-terrorism, the security debate now spans economic sovereignty, industrial security, and social cohesion. Against the backdrop of recent revelations of Iranian espionage attempts on Australian soil, Hastie warns that hostile foreign actors are probing Australia’s vulnerabilities, not only in cyber space and critical infrastructure, but in the trust that underpins our diverse society. Throughout the conversation, Hastie shares how his perspective has sharpened since stepping into the shadow portfolio following his time as shadow minister for Defence. He outlines the emerging contest for resilience – whether in defending supply chains, protecting advanced technologies, or insulating the national economy from coercion. Kuper presses Hastie on the domestic implications of foreign espionage operations, particularly the way they threaten multicultural harmony and fuel social division. Hastie stresses that Australia must be proactive in countering influence operations, strengthening intelligence partnerships, and reinforcing trust across society. The discussion then broadens to the strategic importance of resilience, a whole-of-nation approach that prepares Australians not just to respond to crises, but to withstand them. Hastie points to key policy gaps, from weak industrial capacity to fragmented national planning, and calls for a more integrated framework that links defence, economy, and society into a coherent security posture. As Australia navigates an increasingly contested world, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what security really means. The conversation offers sharp insights into how Australia can adapt to a new era of threats and why resilience must sit at the heart of any credible national security agenda. Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Andrew Forbes, chief growth officer, and Cher Min Teo, campaign director for capability assurance, training and simulation at QinetiQ Australia, to discuss the role of Australia's sovereign test and evaluation capabilities and the role it plays in sharpening Australia's defence capability. With Australia at a pivotal moment in its defence evolution – shaped by the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, the 2024 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, and the Defence Industry Development Strategy – the conversation explores how test, evaluation, and mission rehearsal environments are becoming central to future force readiness. Together, Forbes and Teo unpack the role QinetiQ Australia is playing in advancing sovereign capability, with a particular focus on the Phoenix uncrewed aerial system. Originally developed as a training target, Phoenix has evolved into a versatile platform supporting the Army, Navy, and Air Force in simulating threats, validating combat systems, and refining tactics. Having successfully completed its 500th flight, the system is not only a story of Australian design and manufacturing success, but also of international collaboration, with users spanning Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand, Korea, and Germany. In this episode, the discussion also highlights how lessons from Phoenix feed directly into broader programs, from guided weapons to autonomous systems, ensuring the ADF remains prepared for the challenges of a fast-changing global security environment. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team