Data, cyber and the business of defence: lessons in leadership and capability

In this episode of Hub & Spoken, Jason Foster, CEO and Founder of Cynozure, speaks with Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE, Former Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command at the Ministry of Defence. Lieutenant General Sir Tom shares his journey from a traditional infantry career through deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to leading one of the UK's most important cyber and data capabilities. Drawing on decades of operational experience, he explains how the realities of modern conflict have reshaped the role of data, technology and cyber across defence. The conversation explores how defence is adapting to a world where information moves faster than ever, where data can shape decisions both on and off the battlefield, and where cyber capability is now central to national resilience. Lieutenant General Sir Tom also discusses the leadership challenge of building capability in this environment: attracting and retaining scarce technical talent, evolving culture and incentives, and recognising that the success of technology and data ultimately depends on people. A fascinating look at the intersection of defence, cyber and data and the leadership lessons that apply far beyond the military.

You can listen to Data, cyber and the business of defence: lessons in leadership and capability online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Data, cyber and the business of defence: lessons in leadership and capability is an episode from Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy by Cynozure.

This episode is 49:01 long.

This episode was published on Apr 2, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Hub & Spoken: Data | Analytics | Chief Data Officer | CDO | Data Strategy when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.