In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant and Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson are joined by Dr David Kilcullen, former diplomat and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency senior research scientist, to discuss the moving evolution of conflict, tactics and military technology.

• The trio begin by discussing elements of complex warfare, how predictions change over time and the differences in warfare over the last 25 years.
• They also discuss the tactics and technologies of past and current conflicts, including those in use in Europe and the Middle East.
• Finally, they discuss the nature of resilience, innovation and technological expertise in current soldiery within defence forces and greater society.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

• The reignition of intense military conflict in the Middle East, drawing on McLachlan’s previous service as a UN peacekeeper in southern Lebanon.
• The reliance of Israel’s military forces on modern fighter jet aircraft, use of explosive pagers and what the nation’s military objectives might be.
• The possible implications of the conflict for Australia and Western allies.
• The Australian Defence Force’s new recruitment campaigns and ends with a rapid-fire quiz about current issues.

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft detail multiple Australian hacks, theft of frequent flyer points, LockBit striking back, and the launch of the Australian Cyber Network.

Croft gets things started with a rundown of Australia’s first standalone cyber security legislation before outlining a recent insider threat incident that saw the passports of Qantas customers potentially exposed in a scheme to steal frequent flyer points.

Hollingworth then follows up with the LockBit claiming a new Australian victim and the rise of a new ransomware gang, Sarcoma – which has already listed three Aussie companies and one Kiwi firm.

Finally, the pair discuss the Australian Cyber Network’s launch and the importance of growing our cyber security workforce, before finishing up discussing a new Russian attempt to ban gaming chat platform Discord.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, we are joined by Yehuda Lahav of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to discuss the growing synergies identified in Australia’s Defence Strategic Review.

• We discuss the company’s ambitions and opportunities for the Australian enterprise, particularly given the nation’s increased focus on integrated air and missile defence capabilities.

• We also highlight the way IAI is operating in Australia and the company’s emphasis on supporting the development of Australia’s Sovereign Defence Industrial Capability Priorities and the broad ambition of the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

• Finally, we discuss what sets Israeli defence innovation and industrial capacity apart from its Western counterparts and the methodology, processes and capacity that provide Israel with a qualitative edge over potential adversaries.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft detail multiple recent law enforcement operations that have made a considerable dent in criminal and cyber criminal activity around the world.

Croft opens the podcast with the most recent developments in law enforcement’s efforts to tackle the LockBit ransomware gang, with four arrests made and sanctions placed against one of the gang’s major affiliates.

Hollingworth then details the incredible story of the Australian Federal Police’s Operation Kraken, an investigation into the Ghost criminal messaging network, which it turns out was – allegedly – run by an Aussie! He’s now been arrested, and a lot of other criminals besides.

The pair wrap up with news of charges being laid by the US Department of Justice against Iranian hackers, and they offer some simple but important advice as part of Cyber Security Awareness Month.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, Phil Tarrant, Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson and Liam Garman unpack the recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah and how state actors disrupt their non-state adversaries.

• The podcast begins with an analysis into the fragility of supply chains, examining the pager attack, and how adversaries can conduct espionage through acquisition.
• They then discuss strategies at disrupting non-state adversaries, including whether a decapitation strategy would work for Hezbollah in spite of its failure to disrupt irregular forces elsewhere.
• The podcast also examines the division that this represents in Australia, with announcements that the Australian Federal Police will go after those waving Hezbollah flags.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Scott Hargreaves, executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), to discuss two recently released reports commissioned by the IPA.

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, hosts Liam Garman and Daniel Croft unpack new “safe habour” protections unveiled by the federal government, before looking into some recent hacks and controversy surrounding artificial intelligence.

• The pair begin the podcast examining the new “safe harbour” protections unveiled by Minister for Cyber Security Tony Burke, and how it will help information gathering for law enforcement agencies.
• They then examine the recent Total Tools breach, before diving into the risk of credential stuffing.
• Croft and Garman wrap up the podcast discussing poor AI implementation in business following the Melbourne mayor’s AI-generated imagery fiasco.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team