The Cityforum Podcast

This Cityforum Cyber Security podcast is introduced by Mike Steinmetz former State Cyber Security Officer and Homeland Security Adviser Rhode Island; Senior Adviser Cityforum.  The podcast follows on from the recent Cityforum Cyber Security Summit, which took place on 19 September.  Cityforum is very grateful to our three expert guest speakers: Mr George Barnes former Deputy Director NSAMs Elisabeth Braw Author Goodbye Globalization’; Member M&C Saatchi's Advisory Council; Senior Fellow Atlantic Council Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security The Hon James Langevin Former Congressman Rhode IslandThis podcast discussion explores the evolving cybersecurity landscape, emphasising the rise of ransomware, supply chain attacks, and the role of artificial intelligence. The conversation also touches on the skills gap, advocating for diverse training paths and leveraging alternative routes into cyber roles.  For more information about Cityforum please visit www.cityforum.co.uk 

Professor Sir David Omand interviews Rt Hon Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales, exploring crisis management, devolution challenges, and long-term governance strategies, with a focus on the practical and in particular the human dimensions of resilience.  The discussion covers the COVID-19 response, UK resilience, volunteer mobilisation, leadership in a crisis, and Wales' innovative Future Generations Act. This podcast forms part of the Cityforum Resilience series, and it follows the major two-day forum 'Towards a Blueprint for Resilience in 2035' which took place in May 2024.  The report, written by Stephen Hawker former Senior Member of the UK Intelligence & Security Community and Cityforum Associate project is available to read here:  CityforumA Blueprint for Resilience in 2035: Reflections on the Cityforum Conference, London, May 2024 by Stephen Hawker - CityforumThe report and conclusions from the event are the focus of an end-of-series webinar, to be held on Thursday 18th July (10:00 – 12:30) – to register, please visit: A Blueprint for Resilience in 2035Cityforum would like to thank the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser and The National Preparedness Commission for their support to this project.

In this inaugural episode of 2024, Cityforum and Defence Eye delve into the implications of the recent General Election on UK defence policy. Our expert panel, featuring Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham, Francis Tusa, and Tim Ripley, examines the urgent need for defence reform, the challenges of military modernisation, and the potential shifts in strategic priorities under the new government. From funding issues to force structure debates, we analyse what lies ahead for Britain's armed forces in an era of global uncertainty.Show Notes- 00:00 - Introduction and overview of the post-election defence landscape- 02:45 - Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Blackham introduces his paper "Defence in a Dangerous World"- 07:53 - Discussion on overcoming bureaucratic inertia in defence reform- 15:45 - Analysis of the new government's approach to defence spending and priorities- 25:38 - Debate on the need for a new national service or conscription model- 35:00 - Examination of the defence industry's role and challenges- 45:00 - Discussion on improving sustainability and support for existing forces- 55:19 - Concluding thoughts and key priorities for the new governmentParticipantsVice Admiral Sir Jeremy Joe Blackham, KCBSir Jeremy Blackham is a retired Royal Navy officer who served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet. With a naval career spanning from 1961 to 2002, he held various senior positions including Director of Naval Plans at the Ministry of Defence and Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Equipment Capability). Post-retirement, he became the editor of The Naval Review and has been a vocal commentator on defence issues.  Jeremy is a Cityforum Associate.  Francis TusaFrancis Tusa is a Co-Editor of Defence Eye - the new online platform for UK Defence News.  Francis is a seasoned defence journalist and analyst with over 35 years of experience. He founded Defence Analysis, a newsletter providing comprehensive data and analysis on defence budgets and global markets. Tusa regularly contributes to major publications and media outlets, offering insights on UK and international defence matters.Tim RipleyTim Ripley is a Co-Editor of Defence Eye - the new online platform for UK Defence News.  Tim is a veteran defence journalist with over 30 years of experience covering British defence issues. He has authored more than 20 books on defence technology and military history. Ripley's expertise spans UK defence policy, procurement, and operations, making him a respected figure in defence journalism.Follow Defence Policy at www.cityforum.co.uk and www.defenceeye.co.uk Tags and Categories- Categories: News & Politics, Government, Military- Tags: UK Defence, Military Reform, Post-Election Analysi

This conversation on national strategy and understanding the role and value of armed force coincides with the publication of maximising smart power and public value, the latest report by city forum in its intelligent defence series, The report covers many, many themes in the current international security and defence debate. And there's in that respect ought to be of interest to everybody really, who's involved in those issues in the media and politics and academia and so on. But it should be of a special interest to those who are to be involved in the impending UK national security and defence review.

rofessor Paul Cornish, Chief Strategist, Cityforum and Air Marshal Richard Knighton, Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Financial & Military Capability discuss 'Covid-19 - People, Technology & Organisation':-  What are the challenges for the MoD?-  How have priorities changed?-  How can the MoD gain most from the Fourth Industrial Revolution?Followed by a comment from Ben Hudson, Chief Technology Officer, BAE Systems.This podcast forms part of Cityforum's Intelligent Defence Series 'Reimagining British Defence 2020 - 2030':  https://www.cityforum.co.uk/event/rei...Please subscribe to Cityforum's YouTube Channel to receive notifications when further podcasts and videos are released.www.cityforum.co.uk

This podcast forms part of the 2022 - 2023 Cityforum Cyber Security series.  'Security in a digitised world - major achievements and pressing priorities' - a discussion with:- Representative James Langevin, Commissioner Global Cyber Solarium Commission, as he concludes his time in Congress - Professor Paul Cornish, Chief Strategist Cityforum- Mr Michael Steinmetz Senior, US Adviser Cityforum, former Security Advisor to the Governor Rhode Island Please subscribe to this channel for cyber security, defence and policing content.  To find out more visit www.cityforum.co.uk

Fake news, disinformation and distortion seem to be everywhere.  Is this the end of civilisation?  How much does it all matter and what can we do about it? Listen to this podcast discussion involving:Carl Miller, Research Director at DEMOS and Author of ‘The Death of the Gods: The New Global Power Grab’Bret Schafer, Media and Digital Disinformation Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy, German Marshall Fund                Angela Saini, Science writer who has been awarded the LA Times and Foyles book prizesDiscussion moderated by Mr Stephen Hawker, Senior Associate Cityforum   This podcast forms part of CityForum's Intelligent Defence Series ' Global Britain - Polarisation, Grey Zone & Hybrid Conflict'.  Find out more at www.cityforum.co.uk

Cityforum is delighted to host this podcast, following the recent publication of the long-awaited 'Oxford Handbook of Cybersecurity' to which a number of the panellists involved in our cyber programmes have contributed. Cityforum Chief Strategist Professor Paul Cornish edited the handbook and he guides the podcast discussion.  Paul is joined by:Sir David Omand, former UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator and former Director, GCHQ; visiting Professor Kings College LondonDr Chris C. Demchak, Professor and RDML Grace Hopper Chair Cyber Security; Senior Cyber Scholar Cyber and Innovation Policy Institute; Strategic & Operational Research Department, CNWS United States Naval War College (USNWC)Mr Michael Steinmetz, former Security Advisor to the Governor Rhode Island; Associate CityforumThis high level, candid podcast provides the opening discussion for Cityforum's upcoming 'Defence, Security and Resilience Series, in which digital security will be a central feature.  For more information about the series, please see :  https://www.cityforum.co.uk/event/def...The Oxford Handbook of Cyber Security (Oxford Handbooks)https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...

Its Political Party Time! Well, Conference season anyway. Tim Ripley and Frances Tusa discuss how the different parties are talking about defence, and what we might expect or not, from them. 

Tim Ripley, Francis Tusa and Jake Shaw discuss their impressions from the recent Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London. They touch on the busy atmosphere, prominent themes like air defence and unmanned systems, Ukrainian participation, and key takeaways for the UK defence industry and procurement. The podcast explores what major programs or announcements were missing and how DSEI compares to other global defence shows.Subscribe to Defence Eye News Stand here:  www.defenceeye.co.uk