SPOTLIGHT: The future of Defence’s digital transformation with Leighton Freene and Murray Thompson, Kinetic IT

Joint-capabilities
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By: Noemie Veñegas

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Leighton Freene and Murray Thompson of Kinetic IT as they unpack the mechanics shaping the digital transformation of the Australian Defence Force.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Leighton Freene and Murray Thompson of Kinetic IT as they unpack the mechanics shaping the digital transformation of the Australian Defence Force.

The trio also discuss a range of subjects, including:

  • The pivotal role of digital technologies as the backbone of the ADF’s shift towards an increasingly information-driven, technology-enabled “integrated, focused force”.
  • The growing complexities, opportunities and risks stemming from cloud computing and artificial intelligence – not only in their military and industrial applications but also in how they are exploited by adversaries across all five warfighting domains.
  • Defence’s ongoing digital transformation and the sheer scale of what is required to build, secure and sustain the systems that will be critical to preserving Australia’s qualitative edge in an era of great-power competition.
  • The rising importance of strong cyber hygiene across Defence, industry and the broader national security community, including disciplined identity management, multi-factor authentication, secure-by-design software development, routine patching, strict access controls and a culture that treats cyber security as a collective responsibility rather than a technical add-on.
  • How strengthening cyber hygiene at every level – from defence SMEs to prime contractors, uniformed personnel to senior decision makers – is becoming essential to hardening the digital backbone of the ADF and safeguarding Australia’s most sensitive capabilities from compromise.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 10: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 9: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 8: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 7: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 6: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 5: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 4: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 3: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh
Episode 2: SPOTLIGHT: Open-source growth across defence and national security, with SUSE CMO Margaret Dawson

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