
Defence Connect Podcast Network
The Defence Connect Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence industry.
The podcasts provide the perfect blend of business intelligence and insights from a range of guests, which include government officials, ADF personnel, industry stakeholders, and members of the academic community.
By aligning ourselves with the ADF and the Commonwealth government, we are uniquely placed to deliver a dynamic 360° platform that bridges the gap between the customer (Defence) and industry.
We split our focus not just into the traditional sectors of Land (Army), Air (Air Force) and Sea (Navy), but into the six new Capability Streams:
- Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, Electronic Warfare and Cyber
- Key Enablers
- Air and Sea Lift
- Maritime and Anti-Submarine Warfare
- Strike and Air Combat
- Land Combat and Amphibious Warfare
As Defence moves to ensure the Force Structure Review and the First Principles Review: Creating One Defence plans are met, Australian industry involvement is critical for mission success.
The Defence Connect Podcast Network will provide you and your business with valuable lessons, tips and insights into the industry, putting your company in the best position to take part in the increased Defence spending.
We’ll cover every aspect of doing business in the defence industry, from the tender process to recruitment, success stories, access points to Defence, smart business strategies, and geopolitical insights.
Subscribe to the Defence Connect network and be part of this exciting and innovative industry.
Latest episodes

Jan 15, 2024 • 32min
CYBER UNCUT: X, the new home of crypto scams?
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Liam Garman, David Hollingworth, and Daniel Croft unpack a recent string of cryptocurrency-related compromises on X (formerly Twitter) and how threat actors have targeted Australian consumers over the Christmas break. The trio begin unpacking a recent post on X by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) endorsing bitcoin-tracked exchange traded funds (ETFs) and how the post is the latest in a long string of cryptocurrency scams on the site. They then discuss the latest breaking news with the ALPHV site being seized by the FBI. The podcast wraps up looking into The Iconic’s strong response to recent consumer compromises, as well as an attack on a local travel agent. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Daily team

Jan 11, 2024 • 18min
Shaping the Australian Navy’s future fleet, with Professor Peter Dean, United States Studies Centre - Sydney University
In this special Defence Connect Podcast recorded at the Indo Pacific 2023, host Steve Kuper and special guest Professor Peter Dean discuss the factors shaping the future Royal Australian Navy. The pair begin the podcast discussing the latest maritime platform revelations at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023, with some of the standout proposals from Navantia Australia, BAE Systems, and Luerssen. They then discuss the impact of the Defence Strategic Review and its findings on the future Royal Australian Navy fleet to maximise the impact of the future nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Finally, they discuss the role of the Navy in helping deliver impactful projection as articulated by the government and the avenues towards shaping the fleet to help deliver that. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Dec 25, 2023 • 37min
CYBER UNCUT: Game developer suffers data dump, and movements in online criminal enterprises
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Liam Garman, David Hollingworth, and Daniel Croft unpack the biggest news stories for 2023 – and dive into the recent Rhysida and ALPHV attacks. The trio begin the podcast by unpacking the latest hack against Insomniac Games by Rhysida, which saw over a terabyte of data leaked online, as well as recent movements within the ALPHV ransomware gang. They then unpack the top five news stories of the year. Garman, Hollingworth, and Croft then wrap up the podcast by discussing recent research on a recently uncovered Chinese disinformation campaign. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Dec 21, 2023 • 24min
Balance critical to women succeeding in defence industry – Nathalie Sarlin, Buzzworks, Female Defence Leader of the Year 2023
In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Nathalie Sarlin, co-founder and director at Buzzworks and the 2023 Australian Defence Industry Awards, Female Defence Leader of the Year winner. The pair begin discussing Nathalie’s journey from lawyer to defence industry business owner, mother and innovator. They also discuss the challenges facing women in executive leadership roles in the defence industry, the hurdles to climbing the ladder, and the exciting opportunities available in the sector. The pair also discuss the importance of awards programs like the Australian Defence Industry Awards for recognising the growing role women play in Australia’s defence industry. Finally, the pair discuss the growth trajectory of Buzzworks and its history as a veteran-owned business, shaking up the innovation cycle for the Australian warfighter. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Dec 20, 2023 • 22min
SPOTLIGHT: The sky’s the limit with AUKUS – Northrop Grumman Australia
In this special Defence Connect podcast recorded at Indo-Pacific 2023, host Steve Kuper is joined by NGA chief executive Christine Zeitz and Northrop Grumman’s maritime/land systems and sensors division general manager Ingrid Vaughan and senior director for strategy and business development Tom Wears. The group begin discussing their key highlights and takeaways from the first few days of the 2023 Indo-Pacific Maritime Exhibition and Sea Power Conference, with much of the emphasis on the AUKUS trilateral partnership. They discuss Northrop Grumman’s global role and expertise in the key areas across AUKUS Pillars I and II, with a heavy emphasis on the developing realm of cyber and quantum computing, among others. They also discuss Northrop Grumman’s little-known role in supporting the US nuclear submarine program and central role in the supply chain for the US Navy’s Virginia Class submarines. Finally, they discuss the key links and connections Northrop Grumman Australia enjoys with the global organisation that allows it to leverage the company’s skills, experience and expertise in a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship that builds real, in-country capability here in Australia. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Dec 17, 2023 • 42min
CYBER UNCUT: Getting hacked via your doorbell? Discussing XIoT with Claroty’s Leon Poggioli
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Leon Poggioli, ANZ regional director at Claroty, and Liam Garman unpack what the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy means for the industry and how businesses can build XIoT policies to mitigate the risk of penetration. • The pair begin the podcast by analysing how the 2023–2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy will support the growth of Australia’s cyber security industry and what it will mean for businesses. • Poggioli and Garman then analyse how threat actors can use harmless devices such as doorbells to penetrate networks. • The podcast wraps up by discussing practical advice on how businesses can protect themselves and their assets from attack. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

Dec 14, 2023 • 37min
SPOTLIGHT: AUKUS, frigates and the future of the Royal Australian Navy, with Babcock Australasia CEO Andrew Cridland
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Babcock Australasia chief executive Andrew Cridland joins host Liam Garman to discuss how Babcock is uniquely positioned to support the delivery of AUKUS Pillar I and the allied surface combatant fleet. The pair begin the podcast by unpacking Cridland’s long career in the defence industry and Babcock Australasia’s key priorities over the coming year, including continued expansion in the Asia-Pacific region, supporting the delivery of core AUKUS capabilities and continued leadership in HF communications. Cridland then details how Babcock is uniquely placed to support the delivery of Australia’s first nuclear-powered submarines, including how the company supports the maintenance of the UK’s entire nuclear-powered submarine fleet. The podcast wraps up by unpacking how Babcock is supporting the delivery of allied surface combatants, looking at how the Arrowhead offering is providing an affordable, efficient and scalable option for navies across the globe. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Dec 12, 2023 • 16min
SPOTLIGHT: Getting match fit – enhancing the ADF’s maintenance, sustainment requirements with KBR’s Nic Maan
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Defence Connect’s Steve Kuper sits down with Nic Maan, vice-president of government solutions, APAC, at KBR, to discuss how KBR will help tackle Australia’s toughest infrastructure, services and sustainment challenges. The pair begin the podcast by discussing Maan’s distinguished career in the defence industry and how sustainment and maintenance programs are fundamental for ensuring the ongoing operational capability of Australia’s military hardware. Maan and Kuper then discuss KBR’s long-term strategy to provide enhanced capability in infrastructure, services and sustainment and how the company has facilitated a culture of partnership between the supply chain and Defence to surmount any challenges along the way. The podcast wraps up by looking into the company’s commitment to helping the Commonwealth and our AUKUS allies deliver AUKUS Pillars I and II. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Dec 8, 2023 • 47min
Combating misinformation, with ADIA Excellence Award winner Dr Marian-Andrei Rizoiu
In this latest series of the Defence Connect Podcast, the Australian Defence Industry Awards Winner Showcase, Defence Connect sits down with award winners from ADIA 2023 to find out what makes them the best and the brightest in Australia’s defence industry. This inaugural episode features Excellence Award winner and Academic of the Year Dr Marian-Andrei Rizoiu, unpacking his research into combating the effects of misinformation. The podcast begins by detailing Dr Rizoiu’s background as a computer engineer, how he used his skills to assess information flows in online and offline environments and its impact on information warfare. Dr Rizoiu and host Liam Garman then unpack his research in detecting information operations agents beyond simply analysing what content they were posting. The podcast wraps up with the pair discussing how to combat and mitigate the impact of misinformation in our democracy. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

Dec 3, 2023 • 37min
CYBER UNCUT: What the Australian Cyber Security Strategy means for industry
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Dr Marcus Thompson discuss the key recommendations and findings from the recently released Australian Cyber Security Strategy, ASD Cyber Threat Report, and ASIC cyber pulse survey. The pair discuss: • recent appointments at Penten and unpack breaking news in the cyber security industry; • updates to the ASD Essential Eight Maturity Model, in particular, examining how new guidelines will help mitigate threat detection and response times; and • the must-know findings from the ASD Cyber Threat Report and ASIC cyber pulse survey, and how the Australian Cyber Security Strategy will shape the cyber security industry.