Cyber Uncut

Cyber security, AI ethics, and geopolitical hacking collide in a packed week of headlines – and in this episode of Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft break down what actually matters.
The pressure is mounting on AI firms as Australian regulators eye hefty fines for platforms deemed unsafe for children – is this a fight the Aussie government can win, or will the tech bros find a way to dodge their responsibilities once again? Controversy over US food delivery giant DoorDash tapping workers to help train its AI models is also a hot topic and, once again, Hollingworth and Croft unpack the situation and possible ramifications.
From there, the focus shifts to cyber crime: alleged breaches at anime streaming service Crunchyroll and automotive giant Mazda, Lockheed Martin pushing back on claims that F-35 data was compromised by a pro-Iranian hacker, and an Australian man facing significant jail time over a darknet child abuse site.
Rounding things out, the pair examine rising tensions in the cyber domain, with Iran-linked threat actor Handala drawing the attention of FBI director Kash Patel, before offering a preview of what to expect at next month's Australian Cyber Summit.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, hosts Phil Tarrant, Steve Kuper and Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson unpack the concept of sovereign industrial capability and its growing importance amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The trio explore how the idea of sovereignty has evolved from a defence-specific concept into a broader national priority, particularly as global supply chains face disruption and Australia confronts its structural dependencies.
They discuss the lack of a clear, shared definition of sovereign capability, and how misunderstandings persist even within defence and national security circles.
The conversation highlights the need for Australia to identify and secure critical capabilities domestically, ranging from fuel and logistics to data and cyber resilience.
The episode also reflects on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and questions whether Australia has made meaningful progress in strengthening self-reliance, or if it remains vulnerable to external shocks.
With rising geopolitical tensions and shifting global dynamics, the speakers consider whether the era of globalisation is reaching its limits.
These topics include engaging discussion across:
The meaning (and ambiguity) of sovereign industrial capability in modern Australia.
Lessons from COVID-19 and ongoing reliance on fragile global supply chains.
The impact of geopolitical conflict on fuel security, logistics and economic stability.
The challenge of building true national resilience versus shifting dependence.
The role of political leadership and decision making in shaping sovereign capability.
The effects of political fragmentation and polarisation on national security planning.
Whether globalisation has reached its limits and the rise of nationalism.
The practical components of sovereignty, including fuel, munitions, cyber resilience and industrial capacity.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

What does the war in Iran have to do with Australian housing? Potentially, everything.
In this bold episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, Phillip Tarrant, Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson and leading real estate commentator Tom Panos unpack one of the most overlooked questions in Australia right now: how escalating conflict in the Middle East could reshape the nation's property market.
From fuel prices, inflation and interest rates to rents, construction costs, investor confidence and housing supply, this is a serious attempt to connect global conflict with local property pain (or, maybe, opportunity). The conversation explores whether Australia's real estate market is resilient enough to withstand another major shock, what it means for home owners and investors, and why the consequences of war can hit far closer to home than many realise.
This is not just a discussion about foreign affairs. This podcast episode is sharp, original and one of the first serious efforts to examine how geopolitics could directly shape the future of Australian housing.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Contested Ground Podcast, host Phil Tarrant sits down with co-host Major General (Ret'd) Dr Marcus Thompson to unpack the second-order effects of the ongoing Middle East conflict – and what it could mean for Australia's security environment.
The latest Contested Ground Podcast explores how the Middle East conflict could affect Australia, with a focus on cyber disinformation and proxy activity.
Tarrant highlights that influence operations are most likely to arrive online rather than on our shores, while Thompson notes the growing role of AI-driven deepfakes, synthetic media, and coordinated social media campaigns in shaping public perception.
Both hosts question Australia's preparedness to counter foreign interference, warning that disinformation could inflame social and political divisions. They also flag economic impacts, including rising fuel prices and supply chain pressures, as likely long-term effects.
A central theme of the discussion was resilience. Australians need to critically assess the information they consume, recognising that modern conflict extends well beyond traditional battlefields and into the digital domain.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Contested Ground team

In this episode of Cyber Uncut, David Hollingworth and Daniel Croft unpack the week's cyber and AI developments, from local artificial intelligence news to age verification wrinkles, and cyber conflict overspilling from the war in Iran.
The pair kick off the podcast discussion by taking a look at the latest AI news out of the Commonwealth Bank, and this time, it's good news, as the bank deployed a pair of security agents. The pair then take a look at the Australian Defence Force and its own work in integrating AI into its battle management programs.
After that, it's time for cyber security! The Handala hacking group has turned its gaze far abroad and targeted a medical technology company, disrupting surgeries and supply chains, while a mysterious hacker has targeted a Kiwi healthcare organisation with a bizarre – and disruptive – cyber attack. The pair also discuss the effectiveness of injunctions and how non-publication orders may seem like a useful tool for victims of cyber attacks but are easily ignorable by the criminals themselves.
Finally, Hollingworth and Croft finish things up by looking at the rise of VPNs in the wake of new age verification laws and discussing the new sanctions levied against Chinese and Iranian hackers by the European Union.
Enjoy,
The Cyber Uncut team