SPOTLIGHT: Training – the key to success in joint operations

<p class="m_-5729911399327884323mobile-font18">In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Matt Martin, Senior Manager Business Development at CAE USA, joins host Liam Garman to discuss how Defence forces can drive proficiency in joint operations and how synthetic technologies underpin modern training environments.</p> <ul> <li>The podcast begins by discussing those critical skills that enable individuals, teams and units to become successful in joint operations.</li> <li>Martin then unpacks the benefits of synthetic training in mission rehearsal and operations, and the role of data and analytics in the modern training environment.</li> <li>They wrap up the podcast examining how live virtual-constructive training exercises can enhance interoperability and training for joint operations.</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team</p>

00:29:36

CYBER UNCUT: Helping executives understand company cyber security, with 4walls’ Nik Devidas

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.</p> <ul> <li>The podcast starts by outlining how boards can be overwhelmed with technical language and information when dealing with cyber security.</li> <li>The pair then discuss the concept of maintaining and updating an understanding of cyber security to keep up with an ever-evolving landscape.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team</p>

00:40:44

Tariffs, peace (maybe) in Ukraine and a shifting global power struggle

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.</p> The pair discuss a range of topics, including:</p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team</p>

00:25:53

CYBER UNCUT: Ransomware trends, AI and the fight against cyber crime, with Sophos’ Aaron Bugal

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.</p> The podcast opens with a discussion of ransomware trends and how cyber criminals choose their targets based on vulnerability and opportunity.</p> 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.</p> 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.</p> Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team</p>

00:42:25

CONTESTED GROUND: Alliance abandonment and realpolitik in global affairs

<p class="m_-6921844704207896760mobile-font18">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.</p> <ul> <li>The podcast begins with an analysis into how fears of alliance abandonment have led to renewed commitments to national security collaboration between European powers.</li> <li>They then unpack whether "deal making" is a strong enough consideration to overcome ideological and philosophical partnerships in the competition for global power.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> <p class="m_-6921844704207896760mobile-font18">Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team</p>

00:26:49

No escaping it, China is trying to coerce us, with Mike Pezullo

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. </p> The pair discuss a range of issues, including: </p> <ul> <li>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. </li> <li>The tactical and strategic ramifications and shortfalls on display in the Australian Defence Force and government’s response to the taskforce. </li> <li>A suggested crash course program to rapidly accelerate Australia’s level of tactical and strategic preparedness within the next term of Parliament. </li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team</p>

00:45:58

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

<p class="m_-3004561714982326628mobile-font18">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. The group discuss a range of timely matters, including:</p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>The accelerating pace of technology, which has heightened Defence's emphasis on rapidly introducing new capabilities.</li> <li>The emergence of challenges and opportunities as a result of the integration of various military systems with increasingly complex AI-enabled autonomous systems.</li> <li>Balancing the need for faster testing while maintaining the same level of assurance remains a critical challenge.</li> </ul> <p class="m_-3004561714982326628mobile-font18">Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team</p>

00:40:43

CYBER UNCUT: DeepSeek car troubles, healthcare hacks, and AI video madness

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.</p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team</p>

00:44:06

A taste of things to come, with shadow minister for defence Andrew Hastie

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.</p> The pair also discuss the following:</p> <ul> <li>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?</li> <li>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?</li> <li>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?</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team</p>

00:22:31

CYBER UNCUT: More DeepSeek dramas, ransomware-as-a-service on the rise, and hacked games spread malware

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.</p> <ul> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> <li>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.</li> </ul> Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team</p>

00:34:01