Defence & Security Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Dr Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and senior non-resident fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

The pair discuss a range of subjects following Babbage's recent trip to the United States, including:

• Australia's need to prepare for a more direct involvement in kinetic regional conflict in the Indo-Pacific – including recognising that we are no longer on the periphery of geopolitical competition.
• The multidimensional depth and facets of the challenges being posed by the People's Republic of China: Babbage emphasises that China's strategy includes economic coercion, hybrid conflict and soft power, and that Western assumptions about China's integration leading to liberalisation have proven wrong.
• How Western governments have failed to effectively communicate the strategic risks to their populations: Babbage argues that public awareness is essential for national resilience and policy support, and that many in the public are willing to act once properly informed.
• Australia's urgent need to expand and rethink its defence and industrial capabilities to meet the growing expectations of the new US Trump administration.

Enjoy the Podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Lee Shelford, sales engineering manager and cloud lead at Genetec, to explore how the company uses cutting-edge technology to help law enforcement agencies combat crime and build safer communities.

• The conversation begins with Genetec's recent success in completing its IRAP assessment – a critical milestone in demonstrating the company's commitment to cyber security and data protection. From there, Shelford shares how Genetec is working alongside some of the world's leading law enforcement organisations to develop next-generation security solutions.
• Shelford dives into Genetec Cloudrunner, a powerful tool that enables law enforcement to track vehicles across vast distances – significantly aiding investigations and contributing to a reduction in criminal activity.
• The discussion then shifts to the Genetec Community Connect Program, which brings together a network of CCTV systems from various partners to provide real-time, integrated surveillance feeds to police and emergency services.
• Finally, Shelford explains how Genetec ensures the security and integrity of these systems, maintaining strong protections across all connected networks.

Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft get into a deep ethical discussion after an AI-generated deepfake of a murder victim, untangle the deeply confusing saga of the DragonForce ransomware gang's latest evolution, the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) breaches itself, and the insane back and forth between the People's Republic of China and the CIA.

• Hollingworth and Croft begin with a robust discussion about a new AI development – using the technology to generate a deepfake video of a murder victim to be played in a US court as a victim impact statement. It's a complex issue, and the pair try to find common ground – but they agree it's a complex issue.
• The pair then get into the weeds, sorting out the truth regarding the DragonForce ransomware-as-a-service operation, which may or may not be taking over the RansomHub gang. Or maybe the gang is joining DragonForce? It's all very confusing, and Hollingworth and
• Croft do their best to get to the bottom of a very confusing situation. They also discuss more details that have emerged from behind the scenes of the LockBit gang, and an accidental data breach at the Australian Human Rights Commission.
• Things get wrapped up with the CIA's bizarre move to recruit Chinese spies, and the rather interesting response of some very dedicated and upset Chinese netizens. It's spycraft in the 21st century, but not as you know it.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Robert Dougherty explore the recent spiking of international conflict with cross-border attacks between India and Pakistan, Russia's Victory Day parade and a US presidential visit to the Middle East.

The pair discuss a range of topics, including:

• The recent clashes and weaponry being deployed by Pakistani and Indian military forces in the disputed region of Kashmir and along the Line of Control.
• The cyber attacks by state-sponsored actors against both countries, as well as the larger "West versus East" alliances at work behind the scenes.
• Russia's 80th anniversary of the Victory Day parade in Moscow as well as key diplomatic moments and new equipment seen during the commemoration.
• The Ukrainian government's innovative launch of a new online defence tech marketplace to bridge the gap between military units and defence industry products under a first-of-its-kind "Brave1 Market" online platform.
• The final wrap-up of US President Donald Trump's whirlwind visit to the Middle East and some of the backroom negotiations being done there.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Tim Knight, author of the recently released book Gallipoli Soup, to discuss the Gallipoli campaign and how Knight used narrative to bring to life the challenges faced by both Australian and Turkish soldiers in World War I.

• The pair begin the podcast unpacking Knight's research methodology, and how a passion for understanding led him to write Gallipoli Soup.
• They discuss how the book was written in a narrative format, with some fictional characters based heavily on memoirs and diary entries from soldiers, to shine a light on the conditions in Gallipoli.
• Knight shares some of his key lessons of the campaign, including the geopolitical and political events that led to Gallipoli.

Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Christian Gutierrez, vice president of Hivemind Engineering at Shield AI, to unpack next-generation drone capabilities and the latest advancements into AI–drone teaming.

The pair begin the podcast discussing Shield AI's Hivemind Enterprise, and how AI-enabled software solutions are enabling next-generation drone capabilities to achieve their mission objectives.

The pair then discuss the evolution of drone warfare in Ukraine, and how modern drone systems are being built to withstand electronic warfare capabilities.

Gutierrez and Garman wrap up unpacking Shield AI's recent growth in the APAC region, and why it is looking to expand into the Australian market.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft discuss Meta's newly launched AI that will be powered by Facebook, DeepSeek is back in the news, a horror week of hacks for some massive UK retail chains, LockBit, and the wonderful day and night that was last week's Australian Cyber Summit and Australian Cyber Awards.

• Hollingworth and Croft begin by talking about the latest in artificial intelligence news, with Meta announcing it will be building its next AI based upon information shared on the social network by its users, and China's revelations that it will be using DeepSeek to help develop its next generation of fighter aircraft.
• The pair then run down the week in cyber crime, with ransomware gang DragonForce potentially being behind a string of disruptive attacks on some big UK retailers, including Harrods and Marks & Spender – and maybe even behind hacking once dominant ransomware giant LockBit. Hollingworth and Croft also discuss Spectrum Medical Imaging's continuing investigation into its January data breach.
• The pair wrap things up with a recap of the Australian Cyber Summit and Australian Cyber Awards, held last week. It was a great day and night. The two journalists talk about the importance of giving something back to Australians' network defenders and quality of content presented during the day.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Jeremy Kenealy – director of growth and air defence at Anduril Australia – joins host Liam Garman to unpack how Anduril has developed an open architecture counter-unmanned aerial system and counter-intrusion capabilities, merging a number of traditional and new sensors to enhance situational awareness on tomorrow's battlefield.

• They kick-off the discussion by exploring the modern battlefield, where small, low-cost drones are creating strategic operational-level impacts. The conversation then dives into how advancements in drone technology, such as swarms, AI and automation have prompted a rethink.
• Kenealy explains how some sensors, like traditional radio frequency sensors, are becoming less effective in this environment, and how Anduril's Lattice system harnesses a network of collaborating sensors to deliver a clearer, real-time picture of the battlespace.
• The episode wraps up with a look at how these capabilities are supporting ground defence operations – and includes an update on the much-anticipated Ghost Shark program.

Enjoy the episode, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Lumify lead cyber security instructor Louis Cremen and cyber security lead Jeremy Daly. Together, they unpack the essential cyber security skill sets different organisations need - and how businesses can ensure their teams stay ahead of evolving threats.

• The discussion kicks off with the value of cyber security training and the most in-demand skills among Australian organisations.
• Cremen and Daly then explore the ongoing debate between certifications versus hands-on experience - and how to strike the right balance.
• The episode wraps up by questioning whether businesses are investing enough in their people, even as they spend heavily on tools and platforms.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty discusses military tradition and domestic firearms manufacturing with Robert Borsak, regional communities advocate, NSW Legislative Council member and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party chairman.

The pair take an unconventional, "outside the Canberra bubble" look at national defence readiness, including:

• The traditional and now evolving role of agricultural communities as key populations for the recruitment of Australian Defence Force personnel, who are already familiar with firearms use and horse riding.
• The continuing discussion regarding the domestic manufacture of defence weaponry in times of conflict, rather than reliance on international supply chains.
• Borsak's perspectives on the current federal election and the possibility of current US government strategy making its way to Australia.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team