Defence Connect Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior analyst Steve Kuper is joined by Sam Roggeveen, director of the Lowy Institute’s International Security Program, to discuss the Echidna Strategy in the context of great power competition.  The pair begin the podcast discussing Roggeveen’s career working across Australia’s defence and foreign policy apparatus, including with the Office of National Assessments, Defence Intelligence Organisation, and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs.  The pair then discuss the politics of Roggeveen’s first book – Our Very Own Brexit: Australia’s Hollow Politics and Where it Could Lead Us – and the implications domestic political polarisation and collapsing support for the major parties will have on Australia’s future position and security in the Indo-Pacific. The pair then discuss the historic basis of Australia’s defence policy and doctrine, beginning with the Forward Defence doctrine, then moving through the Defence of Australia-era to the current incarnation, as identified through the Defence Strategic Review, and the implications of major decisions like the AUKUS submarines. Finally, the pair discuss Roggeveen’s latest book, The Echidna Strategy: Australia’s Search for Power and Peace, the basis for its central thesis, the implications for Australia’s defence posture and force structure as the nation seeks power and peace in the era of great power competition. Enjoy the podcast The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Australian Army Corporal (Ret’d) and Afghan veteran Matthew “ Willy” Williams (Order of Australia Medal) to discuss citizen conflict reporting and his coverage of the ongoing Ukraine War. Corporal Williams was previously deployed as a private to Afghanistan with the Australian Army, leaving as a corporal in 2020 and undertaking a radical career change to operate the 130,000-subscriber Willy OAM independent journalism YouTube channel. The pair discuss Willy’s experiences as a veteran, the support he received after leaving the Army, and his sideways career choice to become a travelling civilian conflict reporter. They then discuss the impact of a terminal brain cancer diagnosis on his 22nd birthday, his efforts to promote brain cancer awareness initiatives, and receiving an OAM in the Queen’s Birthday 2020 Honours List. They also discuss his ongoing daily analysis of the Ukraine War through public crowd-sourced maps and how to split fact from fiction in the modern world of military propaganda. They then detail Willy’s own interactions and interviews with military volunteers – from Australia, the US, and Russia – their motivations, and concerns. Finally, the pair take stock of the conflict, discussing worst-case scenarios, what it’s like on the ground, and how it’s likely to end. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Christiaan Beek, senior director of threat analytics at Rapid7, joins host Liam Garman to discuss Rapid7’s 2023 Mid-Year Threat Review, unpacking the latest cyber security trends facing businesses and detailing need-to-know intelligence to keep Australian businesses safe. The pair begin the podcast analysing the most common threat vectors that are being exploited by cyber criminals, including unpatched software and old hardware systems, before discussing how businesses can implement strategies to minimise these threats. Beek and Garman then dive into the world of ransomware, examining the operating model of cyber gangs and how the dark web serves as a marketplace for threat actors. They then analyse how businesses can be breached through downstream attacks and insider threats before wrapping up with some practical security guidance for businesses. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Leon Poggioli, ANZ regional director at Claroty, joins host Liam Garman to discuss new cyber security requirements for Australian businesses, and how organisations can leverage cyber as a competitive advantage. The podcast begins analysing recent findings from Claroty’s research arm, Team82, that has discovered 95 IoT CVEs this calendar year alone, before unpacking the new and emerging regulatory requirements for Australian businesses under SLACIP. Poggioli then details common threat vectors impacting businesses including unpatched software and overlooked hardware such as CCTV cameras, and how businesses can create remediation programs to protect their networks. The pair then discuss the risks of failing to meet new SLACIP obligations including loss of business and potential liabilities for directors, and how businesses should view cyber security as a competitive advantage to attract talent and enhance business continuity. The podcast wraps up with some top tips to keep your business safe, and how Claroty can help protect your organisation. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, Defence Connect’s Liam Garman and Benjamin Foster report from the Chief of Army Symposium in Perth, discussing the latest in industry and Defence innovation. The pair begin the podcast unpacking Army’s strategy towards innovation, including empowering the warfighters to develop disruptive technologies as part of the MakerSpace Program. Foster and Garman then unpack the ADF’s solution to workforce constraints. The podcast wraps up examining some of the disruptive technological solutions presented during the &nbsp symposium. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, Peter Maloney, managing director and chief executive officer of cyber security and sovereign cloud services provider AUCloud, joins host Liam Garman to unpack why Australia has become one of the world’s most attractive targets for cyber criminals and how Australian businesses can protect themselves. The pair begin the podcast unpacking the factors that make Australia such a tempting target for cyber criminals, and some of the latest tactics and strategies employed by those malicious actors to target businesses and families. Maloney and Garman then examine how these methods are becoming more sophisticated over time, and just who is committing the attacks. The podcast wraps up discussing how managed security operations centre (SOC) service providers can support businesses, and what businesses must learn from the recent large-scale attacks to build a more robust cyber security framework. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team About AUCloud: AUCloud is a leading Australian cloud services and cyber security solutions provider, specialising in providing the latest sovereign cloud infrastructure, backup and cyber security threat defence and response services. Listed on the ASX, AUCloud is Australia’s trusted sovereign cloud provider, accredited and certified in accordance with the highest standards to ensure best practice in security, data protection and management.

In this episode of Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Jamie Gibbs, chief operations and engineering officer at Navantia Australia, joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss how Navantia Australia is building a uniquely sovereign ship design capability. The podcast begins unpacking Navantia Australia’s growth in the region, including their delivery of Australia’s LHDs, and how they maintain the Navy’s interests throughout the design and building process. Gibbs and Tarrant then discuss the company’s sovereign design capability, including their locally designed bid for LAND 8710 Phase 1, and how Navantia Australia operates as an independent and Australian-based organisation. The pair wrap up the podcast unpacking Navantia Australia’s latest R&D projects with Australian universities, including digital twin and data analytics programs that are reducing the cost of Australian ship sustainment, and how the company is growing Australia’s future shipbuilding workforce. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Security Uncut podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson discuss how the industry can leverage recommendations put forward by the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to build a stronger cyber security industry and how cyber can be used as a tool for diplomacy. The pair begin the podcast by discussing breaking news in the cyber security industry with the acquisition of ParaFlare by Deloitte Australia. Dr Thompson and Tarrant then discuss the lack of confidence in Australia’s cyber security industry and examine how recommendations within the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s three-year strategic plan can be leveraged to keep Australian businesses safe. The pair wrap up the podcast discussing identity reform and how the Commonwealth can leverage cyber security as a tool of diplomacy. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Security Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Stephen Kuper examine how the Commonwealth’s upcoming surface fleet review will shape the future of Australian naval power projection and the impact of workforce shortages on Defence and defence industry. The pair begin the podcast examining Babcock’s recent pitch to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s firepower, and how it may shape Australian naval power. Kuper and Garman then unpack the Albanese government’s response to ongoing workforce shortages in Defence and defence industry. The podcast wraps up unpacking China’s waning economy and Australia’s exposure to global economic fluctuations. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by Professor Peter J Dean, PhD SFHEA, foreign policy and defence director at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney. Professor Dean was previously first chair of defence studies at the University of Western Australia and the inaugural director of the UWA Defence and Security Institute. He has also authored books and articles on the US-Australian alliance, Australian defence policy, and military operations. The pair discuss the changing geopolitical relationships in the Indo-Pacific, including outcomes from the recent AUSMIN 2023 meetings between the US and Australia. They then discuss America’s search for an effective defence partner in the Indo-Pacific, and whether Australia fits the criteria. They also discuss the AUKUS defence agreement, the release of a recent defence paper by Russian and Chinese research institutes against AUKUS, and the USS North Carolina submarine visiting Perth, Western Australia. They then discuss the LAND 400 Phase 3 decision announcing that Hanwha Defense Australia has been successful in its bid to provide the Australian Army with a fleet of 129 infantry fighting vehicles. Finally, the pair take a quick look into the chaotic crystal ball of US politics and discuss the impacts a US election next year will have on the dynamic between the US and Australia. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team