In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, host Liam Garman welcomes Cyber Daily's David Hollingworth, a cyber security expert and Cyber Uncut podcast host, to unpack the latest in hacking and cyber security in the new era of grey-zone warfare and nation-state cyber attacks.

They begin the podcast examining real world examples of warfare-motivated hacking, threat actors for hire, the impact of cyber threats and incidents for nations around the world.

They then discuss the differences between "smash-and-grab" ransomware attacks with persistent and embedded state-sponsored cyber attacks.

The podcast wraps up examining the increasing speed, accuracy and impact of cyber attacks on industry and government infrastructure across international lines.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Jennifer Parker, expert associate at the National Security College - Australian National University and a former Navy officer, to discuss the future of the Royal Australian Navy's surface fleet.

The pair discuss the recent debate about the utility of small missile boats in the Australian context and their applicability for the Royal Australian Navy.

The pair also discuss:

• China's recent deployment of a surface action group, currently operating 150 nautical miles off the coast of Sydney, and the challenges the Royal Australian Navy currently faces in responding to these subtle provocations.
• The growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific and increasing competition in our region, placing mounting pressure on the RAN to secure Australia's critical sea lines of communication and maritime trade.
• What options and avenues are open for the next Australian government to rapidly increase the Navy's capability while avoiding the trap of "silver bullet" capabilities that may leave us with a lopsided force.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, James Digges, Strategy and Growth - Naval at CAE Australia, joins host Liam Garman to discuss Australia's need for operational readiness and how training is fundamental to achieving the objectives laid out in the National Defence Strategy.

• They begin the podcast unpacking how to enhance operational readiness and how training must keep pace with the demands of integrated multi-domain warfare.
• Digges then dives into the world of interoperability and interchangeability in the modern defence environment, and how to deliver consistent training standards to address compatibility issues and grow a larger force.
• The podcast wraps up looking into the integrated and networked training environment, and how improved training can overcome constraints experienced by modern defence forces.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host David Hollingworth talks about all the latest AI and cyber news with journalist Daniel Croft - more local ransomware attacks, more data breaches, and scams to watch out for.

• Hollingworth and Croft open once again with all the latest AI news, from more bans of the Chinese chatbot DeepSeek to Elon Musk and a whole bunch of venture capitalists wanting to buy OpenAI to Sam Altman's promise that AI will inevitably get cheaper over time.
• The pair then discuss the week of cyber attacks against Australian organisations. From medical imaging data of Aussies being posted to the dark web to a ransomware gang taking responsibility for hacking an Australian university, it's been a grim week in cyber crime.
• Finally, it's Valentine's Day, and scammers will be out in force, so Hollingworth runs through some common scams to watch out for. Croft then discusses a win for Australian investigators against a Russian hosting service facilitating hackers targeting local companies and individuals.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, hosts Steve Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Liam Garman unpack the latest developments on the global stage.

The trio discuss a range of topics including:

• The fallout following new US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to Europe and the prospects of a US shift away from Europe to focus on the Indo-Pacific.
• Europe’s declining national resilience and its dependence on the United States.
• The likelihood of a US-led peace deal in Ukraine and revelations that both US and Russian presidents have committed to mutual visits and a de-escalation of the tensions between the two nations.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman quizzes Cyber Daily's deputy editor, David Hollingworth, on geopolitics, cyber crime reporting, and the latest hacking news.

• Garman and Hollingworth begin with a discussion about DeepSeek and its geopolitical implications, as well as its biases and possible advantages over other GenAI products - and the fact that it probably cannot be trusted.
• Hollingworth then goes into a deep dive about cyber crime reporting: why it matters, how companies should include media response as part of their planning for attacks, and some of the ways companies can do better when handling that first phone call from a journalist planning on writing a story.
• The pair finish up by talking about North Korean hackers using LinkedIn to lure their victims into installing a swathe of malware and a general look at the state of cyber politics.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson, Liam Garman and Phil Tarrant unpack the latest in the AI race, and how the United States is seeking to use tariffs to regain the economic edge.

• They begin the podcast examining the DeepSeek phenomenon, why Nvidia share prices took a hit, and looking under the hood to see if the tech is as good as advertised.
• They then look at the recent threats and imposition of tariffs and how this will impact the US, and whether a strengthening US dollar is indicative of growing consumer optimism.
• The podcast wraps up examining the relationship between foreign aid and national security and moves in the US to suspend aid.

Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Steve Kuper, Robert Dougherty and Liam Garman unpack the fast moves and overall strategy being employed by the new US administration, led by returning US President, Donald Trump.

• The podcast commences with an analysis of the opening salvo of US tariffs on Canada, Mexico and Panama under America's new "carry a big stick" policy.
• Kuper, Dougherty and Garman then differentiate fact from fiction in the new US President's economic and international strategy.
• The podcast wraps up with a brief look on internal policies being undertaken, the border control in relation to national security and possible outcomes under Trump's reinstallation of the America first, last and always approach.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team