ABSTRACT
The Australian Defence Force has been the target of cyber security hacks and exploits, including attacks involving the F-35, C130, P-8 aircraft, Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), and a number of naval vessels. These attacks demonstrate that a determined cyber aggressor can compromise critical military systems. Militaries are compelled to develop a viable and preferably cost-effective defence for military systems as sophisticated weapon systems can render inoperable via non-kinetic effects. Cyber-attacks have become more attractive and potentially more disastrous, with the current usage of attacks like zero-click exploits by state actors where no action is required from the user– meaning that even the most advanced users can succumb to significant cyber intrusions and spyware programs. Blockchain is one of the emerging technologies for security in defence. Antecedent technologies like distributed computing and cryptography have long been used in military applications such as secure communications and battle order management, among others. Blockchain is an immutable digital ledger system that leverages cryptography and distributed computing (i.e., without a central repository) technologies. Every input is checked, authenticated, monitored, and traced using the shared ledger reducing cyber security risks related to command and control (C2), military logistics management and communications. We will present opportunities for blockchain technology to be used in military applications to aid and overcome critical problems, such as single point of failure and transparency. Blockchain technology possesses the potential to invert the cybersecurity paradigm and assist in the evolution of cybersecurity for an agile and resilient defence posture.

BIOGRAPHY
Kumudu Munasinghe holds a PhD in Telecommunications Engineering from University of Sydney. He is currently the the Head of School - IT and System, Associate Professor in Network Engineering, and leader of the IoT Research Group, at the University of Canberra. His research focuses on Next Generation Mobile and Wireless Networks, Internet-of-Things, Green Communication, Smart Grid Communications, and Cyber-Physical-Systems and Security. Professor Munasinghe has over 100 refereed publications with over 1200 citations in highly prestigious journals, conference proceedings and two books to his credit. He has secured over $ 3 Million dollars in competitive research funding by winning grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Commonwealth and State Governments, Department of Defence, and industry. He has also won the highly prestigious ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellowship, served as a co-chair for many international conferences, served as an editorial board member for a number of journals. Professor Munasinghe's research has been highly commended through many research awards including two VC's Research Awards and three IEEE Best Paper Awards. He is currently a Member of the IEEE, a Charted Professional Engineer, an Engineering Executive and a Companion/Fellow of Engineers Australia.

BIOGRAPHY
Nishant Jagannath received the master’s degree in network engineering. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree with the University of Canberra, Australia. He is a part-time Faculty Member with the Science and Technology Department, University of Canberra. His Ph.D. research investigates the current issues in adopting blockchain technology, given the diverse nature of its implementations from financial markets to supply chain. His research interests include integrating blockchain technology with the Internet of Things (IoT) and cyber-physical systems.