Defence & Security Podcast Network

How did the Australian Defence Force coordinate one of the nation's largest non-combatant evacuation operations, and what lessons does the 2006 Lebanon War offer for Australia's preparedness for future conflict?
Speaking with Defence Connect's former news editor Steve Kuper, Australian Army Colonel (Ret'd) Andrew Condon reflects on his experience commanding the Australian Defence Force taskforce responsible for Operation Ramp, the 2006 evacuation of Australians from Lebanon during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The conversation explores the scale and complexity of the operation, which ultimately brought almost 5,500 Australians home, including the challenges of coordinating military and diplomatic resources, securing evacuation routes and establishing an air bridge between Cyprus and Turkey.
Condon discusses the logistical and operational challenges of deploying a relatively small Australian force into a rapidly deteriorating security environment, including negotiations with British forces, the use of chartered ferries and aircraft, and the risks posed by Israeli military operations.
He also reflects on his earlier service in Iraq in 2004, including working alongside US forces and the late General Jim Mattis, supporting the integration of international coalition forces and witnessing the challenges of stabilisation and reconstruction operations.
The discussion examines the implications of Australia's limited military resources during the 2006 evacuation, the demands placed on the ADF while simultaneously supporting operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Timor-Leste and the Solomon Islands, and the importance of maintaining sufficient force capacity to respond to multiple contingencies.
Condon also shares his views on strengthening Australia's national resilience and preparedness, arguing that governments need to better engage the Australian population in understanding the potential sacrifices associated with future conflict while ensuring the nation is prepared to mobilise and respond to changing strategic circumstances.
The conversation also examines his ongoing efforts to secure formal medallic recognition for the ADF personnel involved in the 2006 Lebanon evacuation.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

With quantum computing potentially threatening current encryption and autonomous AI agents expanding the attack surface, DigiCert executives Daniel Sutherland and Kevin Hilscher outline why Australian organisations need to start preparing now.
The prospect of quantum computers breaking widely used encryption is moving closer, while AI is creating new challenges around trust, identity, and governance. DigiCert's Kevin Hilscher warns that organisations face a growing gap between awareness of post-quantum cryptography and action, with competing business priorities delaying preparation. Meanwhile, shadow AI and limited visibility into autonomous agents are creating fresh security risks.
Both Hilscher and Daniel Sutherland urge businesses to begin post-quantum preparation through cryptographic discovery, executive buy-in and governance, rather than waiting for a definitive Q-Day deadline. They also highlight the need to upgrade systems, build crypto agility, and automate certificate management as lifespans shrink. Australia has set an ambitious 2030 target for post-quantum migration, with organisations expected to develop transition plans now.
The discussion also explores how AI agents should be treated like employees, with verified identities, defined access privileges, and the ability to revoke trust when necessary. The executives argue that visibility, automation, and stronger policies will help businesses manage both emerging technologies – and avoid being caught unprepared as the threat landscape evolves.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

How is Lockheed Martin supporting Australia's Black Hawk fleet, strengthening sovereign sustainment and preparing the platform for future modernisation?

Speaking with Defence Connect news editor Robert Dougherty at Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2026, Lockheed Martin Australia UH-60M sustainment program manager Rodahn Gibbon and Lockheed Martin US UH-60 Black Hawk Strategy senior manager Bobby J Adkins II discuss the program's priorities, including supply chain development, workforce investment and long-term capability growth.
The conversation explores the development of Australia's sovereign maintenance network, opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises, and apprenticeship and traineeship programs to build a sustainable workforce.
Gibbon and Adkins also discuss Black Hawk modernisation, including engine and cockpit upgrades, launched effects and the unmanned U-Hawk configuration, alongside opportunities to position Australia as a regional sustainment hub.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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