Defence & Security Podcast Network

How can Australian defence industry businesses strengthen security, achieve Defence Industry Security Program membership and position themselves to win more defence contracts?
Speaking with Defence Connect Spotlight host Phil Tarrant at Land Forces 2026 in Perth, De Stefano & Co CEO and managing director Emilio De Stefano discusses the growing importance of security compliance across Australia's defence industry, particularly for SMEs seeking to enter or expand within the sector.
The conversation explores DISP's four security domains, the importance of embedding security into organisational culture, and the challenges of managing cyber vulnerabilities, physical security and insider threats.
De Stefano also discusses DISP application delays, practical pathways to compliance and the additional requirements facing Australian businesses pursuing AUKUS opportunities, including alignment with international frameworks such as the US Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
Looking ahead, he explains how proportionate security roadmaps and independent advice can help businesses strengthen resilience, build trust with prime contractors and secure future defence industry opportunities.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Spotlight team

From AI-driven workloads and bank job cuts to attackers exploiting vulnerabilities at machine speed, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack a turbulent week in cyber security – including Australia's latest threat statistics and proposals to protect artists from AI-generated imitations.
The Finance Sector Union says AI adoption is increasing workloads and stress, while job security falls amid thousands of bank cuts. Meanwhile, Arctic Wolf reports that AI autonomously resolves 60 per cent of security investigations, although human analysts remain involved in almost all cases – highlighting the importance of oversight as automation expands.
PHP vulnerabilities have been added to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue, with AI helping attackers exploit longstanding flaws. The latest Australian Signals Directorate cyber threat report also points to rising data breach notifications, while four Australian organisations were hit by Qilin ransomware in just four days.
There were positive developments, too. Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Deadly Coders are helping 5,000 First Nations students build AI and digital skills, while UNSW academics have proposed a Copyright Plus framework that would give artists greater control and potential remuneration when their work is used to train AI.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

How is AtkinsRéalis supporting Australia's AUKUS submarine enterprise, addressing critical workforce shortages and translating global expertise into sovereign defence capability?
Speaking with Defence Connect news editor Robert Dougherty at Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2026, AtkinsRéalis defence market director David Eyles discusses the company's priorities for Australia's defence industry, including nuclear submarine infrastructure, workforce development and support for the Australian Defence Force.
The conversation explores the challenges of accelerating AUKUS delivery, securing the specialist skills required for the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and addressing bottlenecks associated with overseas security clearance recognition, visa requirements and workforce mobility.
Eyles also discusses the importance of collaboration between government, industry, universities and TAFE providers in developing a sustainable sovereign workforce, alongside the role of state governments in strengthening defence industry investment and supporting national security priorities.
He shares his views on emerging opportunities across defence infrastructure and the guided weapons enterprise, building partnerships with government and industry, and leveraging global expertise to deliver locally tailored solutions for Australia's evolving defence requirements.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

From AI-driven bank job cuts and online radicalisation to critical PHP vulnerabilities and ransomware gangs using AI to analyse stolen data, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack a week where artificial intelligence is reshaping both business and cyber crime.
AI is transforming banking, but the benefits come with a human cost. On this week's Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft examine Commonwealth Bank's rise to become Asia-Pacific's leading AI bank, alongside mounting job cuts across the sector. With banks struggling to guarantee job security and AI operating costs climbing, could some businesses soon find it cheaper to hire people than run the technology?
The cyber threat landscape is getting uglier, too. Two critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in PHP have put potentially millions of websites at risk, with outdated systems particularly exposed and AI accelerating the development of working exploits. The pair also examine how ransomware gangs are using AI to analyse stolen files and build more targeted extortion campaigns, while warning that online networks and AI-generated propaganda are contributing to radicalisation and real-world harm.
There are signs of progress amid the gloom. Westpac New Zealand is seeing growing adoption of open banking, giving customers more control over secure data sharing and payments. The hosts also explore the growing backlash against data centre developments, why community consultation matters, and Gartner's predictions for 2027 – including the decidedly cyberpunk prospect of "wetware-as-a-service", using biological systems for computing.
Tune in for the stories shaping the intersection of AI, business, and cyber security.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

How are university engineering programs and hands-on aircraft design competitions helping develop the next generation of aerospace engineers for Australia's defence industry?
Speaking with Defence Connect news editor Robert Dougherty, RMIT University aerospace engineering honours student Marcus Serong discusses his experience competing in the AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition in the United States in April 2026 and how practical engineering experience is shaping his career in the Australian defence sector.
The conversation, recorded at the 35th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, explores the competition's challenges, including designing and building a lightweight aircraft capable of carrying payloads, completing simulated charter flights and deploying a banner.
Serong discusses the growing importance of small uncrewed aerial systems in modern warfare, the engineering challenges posed by battery technology and the lessons students can take from developing low-cost, composite uncrewed aircraft.
He shares his views on strengthening collaboration between universities and industry, equipping graduates with practical problem-solving skills and creating opportunities for students and tradespeople to enter the defence sector.
The discussion also examines what defence companies can do to attract and retain emerging engineering talent, including providing effective graduate onboarding, early involvement in projects and opportunities to work across a range of technical challenges.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team