The Vanguard Podcast

• Building a Secure and Sovereign Nation through Investment in National Supply Chains

  Interview with Cheyenne Wicks, General Manager, Military Sector, J-Squared Technologies In the latest episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with Cheyenne Wicks, General Manager, Military Sector, J-Squared Technologies. Mr. Wicks is a seasoned, results-oriented professional with extensive business and technology leadership experience. Formerly holding roles at L3Harris and DRS Technologies, he leads strategic research and development for J-Squared’s military line of business, encompassing R&D, product design and production, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and testing specialties. Cheyenne brings more than 30 years of experience with the Royal Canadian Navy and Communications Security Establishment, Government of Canada, and the defence industry. He holds a master’s degree in applied science from the Royal Military College of Canada.  J-Squared is the leading provider of high-performing embedded computing systems and services built to withstand the harshest environments. For more than 30 years, J-Squared has partnered with prime contractors, OEMs, system builders, and end users for mission-critical applications across the military, energy/resources, transportation and commercial edge AI sectors. J-Squared provides cradle to cradle support — with in-house design, environmental testing, deployment, product lifecycle management, maintenance and repair, and support. Land, air, and sea solutions are created to the highest standards, including MIL-SPEC certifications, while software offerings meet today’s exacting AI and ML challenges.  In this episode: What is lacking in Canada’s supply chain infrastructure? How it can be fixed. How technology is being employed in the supply chain. The need for tech alliances and international cooperation. What needs to be done in the military to embrace supply chain changes? How US/Canada relations are affecting supply chains.  And more!

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• Building a Digital-First Canadian Navy with Canadian Technology

  Interview with David Males, Director of Business Development, SSI In this week’s episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down with David Males, Director of Business Development, SSI. Mr. Males has 35+ years as a trusted sales and marketing executive in IT & Related Services in the US and Canada. His previous experience serving the industrial manufacturing and infrastructure development (AEC) sectors allows him to bring a practical perspective to help the marine and shipbuilding industry address key challenges surrounding digital transformation, lifecycle management, and the impact of emerging technology on current and future workers. David is a frequent presenter at marine industry conferences addressing key challenges surrounding business transformation to digital shipbuilding and asset lifecycle management. He has been published in Maritime Technology magazine and chairs the SNAME O-52 Digital Twin Panel that aims to provide guidance to assist industry in the development of digital twin programs. SSI delivers software, services, and expertise for the business of shipbuilding. They take advantage of the rapidly evolving technologies that define the future of the industry and understand how to implement them specifically for shipbuilders. For over 35 years, their team has been globally recognized for their specific solutions for the design, engineering, construction, and maintenance of shipbuilding projects. In this episode: How Canada ensuring its shipbuilding efforts align with long-term strategic priorities. The biggest hurdles facing Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy today. How the Canadian shipbuilding industry is adapting to global trends and digitalization. Challenges that Canadian shipyards are running up against How SSI’s digital ship sustainment platform fits in with the RCN's initiatives And more!

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• Submarine Sustainment: What is Needed as Canada Looks Towards the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project

  Interview with Anthony March, Vice President, Marine & Mission Systems, Babcock Canada In this week’s episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones has an in insightful discussion with Tony March, Vice President of Marine and Mission Systems at Babcock Canada. A graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, he holds degrees in mechanical engineering, defence studies, and marine engineering, along with an MBA from Athabasca University. He is also a graduate of the UCL Submarine Design Course and the Canadian Joint Command and Staff Program. Tony began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1997 as a Marine Systems Engineer, serving in HMCS Montréal during Operation APOLLO. In 2003, he joined the Submarine Service, serving aboard HMC Submarines Victoria, Windsor, and Corner Brook, and later held various engineering and leadership roles in Halifax and Ottawa. After 21 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, Tony transitioned to the private sector, joining Babcock Canada in 2018. He initially served as Vice President of Engineering Services before assuming his current role in 2024, where he oversees marine and mission systems operations. Operating in Canada since 2008, Babcock Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group, a global defence, aerospace, and security company. For over 16 years, Babcock has been proud to play a critical role in supporting Canada’s safety and security, delivering engineering and critical support services to defence and civil customers. Drawing on decades of global experience, Babcock delivers fully integrated solutions tailored specifically for Canada and its unique environment across the land, marine, and aviation sectors. In this episode: Timelines for Acquisition and Sustainment contracts   Level of expertise of submarine maintenance in Canada   Moving from the Victoria Class submarines to a newer and larger fleet   The role Babcock will play  

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• Spying on Mobile: Are WhatsApp and Signal Secure Enough for Confidential or Secret Communications?

  Interview with David Wiseman, Vice President, Secure Communications, BlackBerry Check out this week’s episode of Vanguard Radio. Host, J. Richard Jones, sits down for an illuminating conversation with David Wiseman, Vice President, Secure Communications, BlackBerry. With over 25 years of experience, his expertise spans software, security, mobility, and communications, honed through roles at BlackBerry, IBM, SAP, Sybase, and the US Navy. David holds a bachelor’s in computer science from the University of Mary Washington and an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill. Early in his career, he contributed to developing groundbreaking technologies, including the world's first large-scale environmental geo-spatial database for NASA and radar data fusion software for shipboard systems with the US Navy. BlackBerry provides enterprises and governments the intelligent software and services that power the world around us. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the company’s high-performance foundational software enables major automakers and industrial giants alike to unlock transformative applications, drive new revenue streams and launch innovative business models, all without sacrificing safety, security, and reliability. With a deep heritage in Secure Communications, BlackBerry delivers operational resiliency with a comprehensive, highly secure, and extensively certified portfolio for mobile fortification, mission-critical communications, and critical events management. The company is also a pioneer in leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to deliver advanced cybersecurity solutions to its customers. In this episode: US telecom network hacks in the run up to the US election New and emerging hacking tactics What vulnerabilities have been exposed? What implications does this have for telecom service providers in other countries? What are the implications for national security? How does BlackBerry protect calls, texts, messages and files? And more!

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• Secure by Design, Supply Chain Integrity & Emerging Cybersecurity Priorities

  A Conversation with Daniel Kroese, Vice President, Public Policy & Government Affairs Palo Alto Networks  In this week’s episode of Vanguard Radio, host J. Richard Jones sits down for an engaging conversation with Daniel Kroese, Vice President of Public Policy & Government Affairs at Palo Alto Networks. Mr. Kroese is leading the company’s engagement with policymakers and government stakeholders. He brings extensive Legislative and Executive Branch cyber policy experience, including roles as Staff Director for Ranking Member Katko on the House Homeland Security Committee and as a senior advisor to Director Krebs at CISA. Previously, Daniel served as Chief of Staff to Congressman John Ratcliffe, chair of the House Homeland Cybersecurity Subcommittee. At Palo Alto Networks, he leverages this expertise to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem. Daniel is also a visiting fellow at the National Security Institute. Palo Alto Networks is the world’s cyber security leader, offering next-gen security solutions, expert services, and industry-leading threat intelligence. They empower organizations across every sector to transform with confidence. In this episode: How can organizations enable the safe use of AI? How Alto Networks champions the ideals of Secure by Design How Palo Alto Networks is working to ensure Supply Chain Integrity Cybersecurity priorities for 2025 Benefits of “secure internet browsers”

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