Defence Connect Podcast Network

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.

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, recorded at Indo Pacific 2023, host Steve Kuper and Jennifer Parker – director, defence policy, at National Security College – discuss her recent report for ASPI, titled, An Australian maritime strategy: resourcing the Royal Australian Navy. The pair begin by discussing the genesis of the report and Australia’s need to develop a detailed and considered maritime strategy, as part of delivering the next-generation Royal Australian Navy surface fleet.    They then discuss the implications a maritime strategy would have on the government’s independent review into the make-up of the surface fleet and how it directly influences the size and structure of the fleet.    Finally, the pair discuss a potential force structure for the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet based on the latest revelations at Indo Pacific 2023.    Enjoy the podcast,  The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist and host Robert Dougherty discuss digital defence infrastructure with former US Special Operations Command director of networks and services, Colonel (ret’d) Joseph M Pishock. Joseph Pishock is a 28-year veteran communicator of the US Army and has attended further study at St John’s University in New York City and as a fellow at Columbia University. Dougherty and Pischock discuss lessons learnt while leading the communication systems of US Special Operations, including in active international war zones. The pair also discuss the advancement of defence technology and its impacts on monitoring and protecting fundamental digital infrastructure. They then discuss Pishock’s guest presentation at the recent annual Military Communications and Information Systems expo in Canberra. They take a deep dive into the importance of remote defence monitoring systems, using first-hand experience of a US special operation in Africa affected by hurricane in Florida. Finally, the pair discuss how mapping and visualising systems allow countries to spend their Defence budgets more effectively, as well as the role of observability processes for defence cyber security evolving over time. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Nova Systems’ chief people officer Shelley Willsmore and Miranda Van Hooff, executive director at Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), join host Phil Tarrant to unpack how Defence industry can attract and retain the industry’s best and brightest and how the two organisations support veterans as they transition into civilian life. The podcast begins unpacking how employee value propositions are leveraged to attract leading talent amid ongoing workforce constraints and how the industry can better collaborate to support Defence. They then discuss upskilling existing employees, including how Nova Systems is training its engineers to provide test and evaluation services for new and emerging technologies. The podcast wraps up by unpacking how Nova Systems and MESHA have teamed up to support veteran employment and how the industry can benefit from the unique skill sets of Australia’s veteran community. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson, inaugural head of the Australian Defence Force’s Information Warfare Division, and Phil Tarrant unpack how information warfare is employed in the modern threat environment.  The pair begin the podcast by analysing information operations surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and how information is harnessed to influence one’s adversaries to their will.  They then examine how national power can be impacted through influence and military public affairs and how the magnitude of artificially generated content online can impact democracy.  The pair wrap up the podcast by examining the geopolitical ramifications of the conflict.

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Meryl Swanson MP, Member for Paterson, at the Indo Pacific 2023 Maritime Expo to discuss the latest news around defence and defence industry.  The pair begin the podcast discussing the latest news around the Indo Pacific 2023 Maritime Expo and the key priorities of the Albanese government. The pair also discuss the Albanese government’s commitment to the nation’s defence and defence industry, pushing back against the comments made by the Opposition’s defence spokespeople. In particular, Swanson highlights the importance and deliberate nature of the government's Defence Strategic Review and the deliberate, considered actions taken by the Albanese government in delivering the findings of the review. Finally, the pair discuss the key, standout exhibitors of the Indo Pacific 2023 Maritime Expo for Swanson and her key findings following a recent trip to the US to speak with US lawmakers about the AUKUS agreement. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with Nick Asscher and Bill Freeman, directors at Touchpoint Technology, to discuss the increasing importance of trust and reliability when delivering technology solutions for Defence. Recorded live at Indo Pacific 2023, they begin discussing the history of Touchpoint and its growing role in supporting the Department of Defence and key defence companies. They also discuss the challenges facing ICT suppliers in the defence and national security space and the rising importance of secure, reliable, and “trusted” suppliers to provide Defence with the confidence that sensitive information is secure even in a contested environment. Finally, they discuss the emerging trends in the defence ICT space and the long-term planning, logistics, and infrastructure that enable our critical defence capabilities. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this special podcast at Indo Pacific Expo, host Steve Kuper is joined by the shadow minister for defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP and the shadow minister for defence industry, the Hon Luke Howarth MP, to discuss the news and feeling on the ground at Indo Pacific 2023. In this special two-part podcast, they discuss the news around the national security community and the defence industry represented at the Indo Pacific exhibition in Sydney. They discuss the feeling of concern and dismay among defence industry, particularly SMEs, as the Navy and the industry wait to see the government’s response to the independent surface fleet review. They also discuss the growing concerns about our broader national security and the impact on our economic stability and prosperity in this era of great power competition. Finally, they also discuss programs like AUKUS – a true nation-building endeavour – that can provide opportunities and long-term security for generations of Australians. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Jaya Baloo, global chief security officer at Rapid7, joins host Liam Garman to unpack how Australia’s regulatory environment is impacting businesses trying to manage the rapid pace of change in today’s digital environment.   The pair begin by looking at how Baloo’s career developed and the challenges she’s faced keeping global organisations secure. Baloo and Garman then discuss the changing threat landscape and how cyber has become a hotly contested domain, especially when it comes to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, before looking at the reduced barrier to entry for young, patriotic hackers. The podcast wraps up with the pair breaking down the threats facing Australian businesses and what motivates hackers to go about their criminal enterprises. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior analyst Steve Kuper and senior journalist Rob Dougherty discuss the issues shaping the naval debate in the lead up to Indo Pacific 2023. The pair discuss: The autonomous vessel question and the implications on the arrival of elements of the US Navy’s autonomous ghost fleet in Sydney. Concerns about major Australian naval capability programs, including the Hunter and Arafura Class programs, and potential solutions like Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate currently on offer to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The latest scuttlebutt in the lead up to Indo Pacific 2023 and potential announcements like LAND 8710-1 or SEA 2200 that may happen next week. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team