A Canberra success story meets global scale: Greg sits down with Sarah Bailey, Group Executive Director and CEO Australia at Penten Amio, to unpack how a startup founded by 11 local families became a trusted partner to the Five Eyes. From secure communications that enable classified access anywhere to AI powering electronic warfare decoys, we get inside the technology, the strategy, and the people behind a binational mission.
Sarah walks us through the merger of Pen10 and AMIOsec—why it felt like a natural conclusion after years of co-developing tech, how the combined team brought Australian innovations like Trap Radio and HLX to DSEI in London, and why scale opens doors in markets like Canada. We also get a candid look at the mechanics of complex deals: multiple shareholders, new financing, and navigating national security investment rules across two countries without losing momentum or mission clarity.
The conversation zooms out to a fast-changing cybersecurity landscape where phishing is disturbingly convincing and every organization—not just defence—needs to treat cyber as a whole-of-business responsibility. Sarah offers practical guidance leaders can act on now: build secure-by-default systems, train with real-world examples, and normalize open dialogue about risk. We close on leadership—how words shape work, why values alignment matters, and what it feels like to be the only woman in the room when ideas land differently depending on who talks about them. It’s an honest, grounded look at building resilient tech, cohesive culture, and steady leadership across time zones and turbulent headlines.
If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on defence technology, cybersecurity, AI in electronic warfare, and real-world leadership, follow the show, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others discover the pod.