CYBER UNCUT: Meta’s new AI, a bad week for legal entities in Australia, and mandatory ransomware reporting
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft talk about Meta moving to use user data to train its AI, cyber attacks on local legal firms and boards, and new regulations requiring mandatory reporting of ransomware payments. Hollingworth and Croft kick things off with the news that a German data watchdog has been unable to stop Meta from using user data to train its new AI model. As they say, if the product is free, the product is you – and your Facebook posts. The pair then discuss the latest cyber attacks targeting Australian organisations, with both a Queensland law firm and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia falling victim to ransomware attacks, as well as The Salvation Army getting listed on a darknet leak site. Hollingworth and Croft also discuss how attacks seem to have slowed down in the last month. Is it a trend or just a blip? Finally, the two wrap up the podcast with a discussion on a new Australian law coming into effect requiring organisations to report paying a ransom and its possible impact on the ransomware economy. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
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33:14
Addressing Australia’s food insecurity, with Andrew Henderson, Agsecure
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Agsecure's Andrew Henderson to unpack the recent Australian Strategic Policy Institute food security green paper developed by Henderson and Dr John Coyne. The pair discuss a range of topics outlined in the food security green paper, including: Food security fragility: Australia’s food system heavily relies on critical imports (e.g. glyphosate, phosphate), with potential disruptions leading to rapid breakdowns. Central coordination, local delivery: Proposes centralised planning (e.g. via agriculture) but decentralised execution, empowering local actors and reducing red tape. Ecosystem perspective: Suggests a holistic “food security ecosystem” approach, connecting producers, processors, distributors and critical inputs. Structured risk assessment: Recommends systematic identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities using structured frameworks, with private sector engagement. Urgency and national security: Highlights immediate action needs due to geopolitical tensions and environmental risks, including building domestic production and resilience. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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34:59
DEFENCE PROPERTY PODCAST: How ADF members can turn frequent relocations into investment opportunities
In this episode of the Defence Property Podcast, co-hosts Liam Garman and Kane Dury, director and lead buyer’s agent at Discover Buyers Agency, explore the unique challenges and advantages Australian Defence Force (ADF) members face in property investment as they often relocate. Due to frequent relocations, ADF life complicates traditional home ownership but also offers exposure to various markets nationwide, with the duo suggesting that investors begin with clear investment goals and use available defence benefits like the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DOHAS) and Home Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS). ADF members also benefit from rental assistance, making ownership more financially viable than it may be for civilians, while flexibility in relocation allows them to target emerging property markets. Dury said that a common strategy involves buying a home, living in it to meet benefit requirements, then converting it into a rental when posted elsewhere. The duo stresses the value of professional advice to navigate complex deals and optimise outcomes, suggesting ADF members take action, leverage their benefits, and invest strategically to build wealth through property. For more key strategies to build a successful portfolio, listen to Kane Dury here. Do you need more information on the market conditions surrounding Australia’s largest defence bases? Listen to our last episode here.
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CYBER UNCUT: CyberArk’s Thomas Fikentscher on why cyber security should not be an afterthought
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, host Liam Garman is joined by Thomas Fikentscher, CyberArk’s head of ANZ operations, to explore the company’s international business, cyber security trends, the importance of privileged access, and the importance of taking cyber security seriously. Garman and Fikentscher begin with a discussion on CyberArk’s international operations and recent trends regarding how businesses are looking at their networks and what’s essential to keep their operations running smoothly. The pair then discuss the importance of understanding and implementing privileged access to data and how that can keep critical infrastructure secure. Fikentscher talks about the recent blackouts in Spain and the challenges of introducing AI agents into workflows. Fikentscher discusses why modern privileged access management (PAM) must extend beyond traditional admin controls as organisations scale across cloud and AI environments. He explains it now needs to secure both human and machine identities, manage ephemeral access and integrate seamlessly into DevOps workflows. Finally, he emphasises the importance of a ‘security by design’ approach - embedding security into the architecture of systems and processes from the start to strengthen resilience and compliance, but also to help prevent security lapses that can disrupt business operations and impact bottom lines. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team
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33:28
CYBER UNCUT: AI to solve housing troubles, ATO denies security issues, and our favourite data breach tool
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft have a chat about everything, from the NSW government’s new drive to use AI to solve the housing crisis to deepfake takedowns, who may or may not be behind the hacking campaign targeting big-name UK retailers (still!), security issues at the Australian Taxation Office, and the relaunch of HaveIBeenPwned. Hollingworth and Croft start off with positive AI-related news, starting with the Trump administration’s decision to enact new laws regarding deepfake and revenge porn, before swivelling to the NSW state government’s plan to use AI to help address a housing construction backlog and grow the workforce. Then it’s straight into cyber crime, with more twists and turns from the highly disruptive hacking campaign targeting UK retailers. The pair discuss why one chain is leaking money like a sieve as it tries to rebuild, and why another is getting back on its feet. It’s a lesson everyone can learn from. Hollingworth and Croft wrap up this section of the podcast with a discussion of the ATO’s issues with identity theft following revelations that hackers had compromised some individual accounts and stolen funds. The pair wrap things up with news of one of their favourite research tools – HaveIBeenPwned – launching a V2 of its website, and how useful it is for average consumers and researchers alike. Enjoy the podcast, The Cyber Uncut team
The Defence Connect Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence industry.
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