Defence & Security Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the former deputy secretary strategy in the Department of Defence and secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Michael Pezzullo, to take a look into the not-too-distant future of the Indo-Pacific's balance of power. The pair begin their discussion with a conversation about the ongoing hostilities in the South China Sea and the rapidly closing window of opportunity to prepare for the potential of great power conflict in our region.

The pair also discuss:

• The measures Australia can take to rapidly expand our national defence capability ahead of a potential confrontation over Taiwan.
• The fallout of a conflict between the United States and the People's Republic of China and its long-term impact on the Indo-Pacific.
• Our initial predictions of what to expect over the next three years as President Xi Jinping's 2027 deadline approaches.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, and Liam Garman analyse the genesis of the Optus and Medibank hacks before debating the return of Julian Assange to Australia.

• The pair begin the podcast by pulling apart recent findings on the cause of the Optus and Medibank hacks, as well as the regulatory responses from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) and the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
• Tarrant, MAJGEN (Ret'd) Thompson, and Garman then share their thoughts on the ongoing Assange controversy and how WikiLeaks not only sowed political discord but also put the lives of Australian soldiers at risk.
• The podcast wraps up by unpacking the role of artificial intelligence in prosecuting information operations.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this special crossover episode of the Defence Connect Podcast and Cyber Uncut podcast, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security Clare O'Neil joins Liam Garman to unpack how the Albanese government aims to make Australia the world's most cyber-secure nation by 2030 and gives firsthand insight into upcoming cyber security legislation to keep us safe online.

• The pair begin the podcast by going behind the curtain to see what threats keep Minister O'Neil up at night, and how the government is tackling such a broad array of online threats – from phishing attacks to credential stuffing and insider threats.
• Minister O'Neil then shares her thoughts on the recent Deloitte report on the Optus attack and clears up some common questions on SOCI/SLACIP.
• The podcast wraps up by looking at upcoming cyber security legislation and what the future of digital transformation looks like in Australia.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Cyber Security Clare O'Neil joins Cyber Daily editor Liam Garman to unpack how the Albanese government aims to make Australia the world's most cyber secure nation by 2030 and give firsthand insight into upcoming cyber security legislation to keep us safe online.

• The pair begin the podcast by going behind the curtain to see what threats keep Minister O'Neil up at night, and how the government is tackling such a broad array of online threats - from phishing attacks, to credential stuffing and insider threats.
• Minister O'Neil then shares her thoughts on the recent Deloitte report on the Optus attack, and clears up some common questions on SOCI/SLACIP.
• The podcast wraps up by looking at some upcoming cyber security legislation and what the future of digital transformation looks like in Australia.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Rockingham City Councillor Peter Hudson joins host Liam Garman to unpack the role of local government in delivering infrastructure needed for AUKUS Pillars I and II.

• Cr Hudson and Garman begin unpacking the infrastructure that is needed to deliver large-ticket defence items, and how Australia needs a national security strategy to ensure a whole-of-nation approach to national security.
• They then discuss what the federal and state governments need to do to deliver Defence capabilities and address the workforce gap.
• The podcast wraps up discussing the rise of China and rising political uncertainty within Australia's AUKUS allies.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of Cyber Uncut, Liam Garman and Daniel Croft unpack the latest cyber security news, complete with some interesting lessons for business leaders from this year's Australian Cyber Security Summit.

• The pair begin the podcast with an update on allegations of a breach at a global professional services company, before analysing how businesses need to refine post-breach communications by including receptionists, assistants and call centres in their strategies.
• They then look at the Australian Communications and Media Authority's recent judgment on the cause of the Optus hack, and recent moves from LockBit targeting US financial institutions and the Indonesian government.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode, the Cyber Daily team went live at the Australian Cyber Security Summit, where we caught up with AUCloud's Peter Maloney, Mercury ISS' Edward Farrell, and Brendan Dowling – Australia's ambassador for cyber affairs and critical technology.

• Farrell talks about his company's 10-year journey and how Mercury ISS has expanded its cyber security offering.
• Dowling explains exactly what his role entails and the importance of international collaboration in fighting cyber crime.
• Maloney breaks down AUCloud's 2024 Cyber Security Healthcare Report on the threats facing the healthcare industry and how the sector can protect itself in the face of growing cyber attacks.

Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper speaks with Professor John Blaxland about Australia's growing need for a national security strategy.

The pair also discuss:

• Blaxland's history as an Army intelligence and signals officer, his transfer to the Australian National University, and his career as an academic working in Washington.
• The recently commissioned RSL report authored by Blaxland outlining the geopolitical, strategic, and environmental challenges that necessitate an Australian National Security Strategy.
• The individual components of an Australian National Security Strategy and setting us up for success in the face of great power competition.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper and Rob Dougherty discuss the events and topics that were making headlines across industry.

Reporting live from the 2024 Australian Cyber Security Summit in Canberra, the pair also discuss:

• The Ukrainian ambassador's indication of interest in Australia's retiring Tiger attack helicopters.
• Setting the record straight on debate around Australia donating the retired F/A-18 Hornets to Ukraine.
• The ongoing strengthening of the relationships between the world's autocratic powers: Russia, China, and North Korea.
• Mounting concerns that the United States may not directly intervene in the event of Chinese hostilities towards Taiwan.
• The US' "hellscape" strategy for supporting expanded foreign military sales to Taiwan.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by former deputy secretary strategy in the Department of Defence and secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Michael Pezzullo, to discuss the "long arc" of Australia's defence policy. The pair begin their discussion focusing on the early days of Australia's "sovereign" defence policy, beginning in the aftermath of the Second World War, and our double-edged sword fear of "entrapment" and "abandonment".

They also discuss:

• The evolution of Australia's defence policy and posture during the Cold War, culminating in the 1986 Dibb Report and 1987 Defence White Paper which continues to influence the nation's posture and policy to this day.
• The 2009 Defence White Paper whose development was led by Pezzullo and the Force 2030 concept which marks the first time China's regional ambitions are highlighted and accounted for in Australian planning.
• The current predicament Australia finds itself facing in light of mounting great power tension and competition in the Indo-Pacific and our need to rapidly prepare.

Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect Team