CHUCK BROOKS: THOUGHT LEADER INTERVIEW
Thought Leader Interview
Thinkers360 interviews profile prominent members of the Thinkers360 community who embody the power of ideas in their work. In this edition, we speak with Chuck Brooks, President, Brooks Consulting International and Adjunct Faculty Georgetown University. Chuck is a globally-recognized cybersecurity thought leader and influencer, a two-time Presidential Appointee, with executive experience in marketing/branding, government relations, management, strategic partnering and digital engagement. He was recently featured in the Thinkers360 Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers on Cybersecurity.
Thinkers360: Tell us a bit about your background
CB: My background includes service in the public sector, academia, industry, and media.
In government. In government I received two senior Presidential appointments. I was a “plank holder” at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and appointed as the first Legislative Director of The Science & Technology Directorate. Earlier in my career I served as Special Assistant to the Director of Voice of America. For almost a decade on Capitol Hill I was a top Advisor to the late Senator Arlen Specter covering security and technology. In local government I also worked as an Auxiliary Police officer for Arlington, Virginia.
In industry, I served in senior executive roles for Fortune 1000 and smaller corporations including General Dynamics (Principal Market Growth Strategist for Cyber Systems), at Xerox (Vice President & Client Executive for Homeland Security), for Rapiscan and (Vice President of R & D), for SRA as (Vice President of Government Relations), and for Sutherland (Vice President of Marketing and Government Relations). As a globally recognized thought leader and evangelist for Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, I serve as Brand Ambassador for The Cybersecurity Collaborative, a peer-based CISO organization. I am also Executive Cybersecurity advisor to PCiTec, a woman owned HUBZONE small business, and serve on a variety of boards of companies.
In academia, I am serving as Adjunct Faculty at Georgetown University’s Applied Intelligence Program and graduate Cybersecurity Programs where I teach courses on risk management, homeland security, and cybersecurity. I was also an Adjunct Faculty Member at Johns Hopkins University where he taught a graduate course on homeland security for two years. I have an MA in International relations from the University of Chicago, a BA in Political Science from DePauw University, and a Certificate in International Law from The Hague.
My areas of expertise homeland security, cybersecurity, and emerging tech. I have written over 150 articles, including being an author in technology and cybersecurity blogs for IBM, AT&T, General Dynamics, Xerox, Cylance, Tripwire, and many others. I have been a keynote or featured speaker at many conferences on those topics. LinkedIn named me as one of “The Top 5 Tech People to Follow on LinkedIn.” I was named by Thompson Reuters as a “Top 50 Global Influencer in Risk, Compliance,” and by IFSEC as the “#2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer.” I am also a Cybersecurity Expert for “The Network” at the Washington Post, Visiting Editor at Homeland Security Today, and a Contributor to FORBES.
My professional industry affiliations include being a member of the USA Chapter of EC-Council Global Advisory Board for TVM (Threat and Vulnerability Management), EC-Council is the world’s largest body in cybersecurity training and certifications. Serving on the MIT Technology Review Advisory Global Panel, as a member of The AFCEA Cybersecurity Committee, and as member of the Electrical and Electronics Engineers IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Working Group. Some of my other activities include being a Subject Matter Expert to The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC), a Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored organization through the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). I have also served as a featured presenter at USTRANSCOM on cybersecurity threats to transportation, as a presenter to the FBI and the National Academy of Sciences on Life Sciences Cybersecurity, and was also appointed and served a term as a Technology Partner Advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Thinkers360: What are your current responsibilities and what’s a typical day look like?
CB: My responsibilities are to address my client’ s various needs. This includes strategy, strategic partnering, business development and marketing. There are always activities going on during the day and sometimes nights too. Concurrently, I also regularly attend and speak at many events and conferences and I am always writing and sharing content. I also own or manage 12 groups on LinkedIn. Two of the groups; U.S. Department of Homeland Security” and “Homeland Security”–have grown to almost 80,000 members. At night I moderate posts and post in many of my groups. I like being busy and I am also an insomniac! When I am not working or writing, I spend time with my family, pets, and work out (I am a former competitive powerlifter).
Thinkers360: What’s the favorite part of your current role?
CB: My favorite part of my current role is running my own consulting business, Brooks Consulting International (BCI). BCI is a Government Relations & Marketing firm providing Digital Branding, Strategic Partnering, Business Development and Subject Matter Expertise, and Strategy. Now that I am running my own business, I am responsible for my own P & L, outreach, branding, and schedule. Organizing everything is my favorite part. Also, aside from BCI I get great fulfillment from my Adjunct Faculty roles at Georgetown University. I enjoy teaching, mentoring students, and designing courses. The combination of roles my roles in business, academia, and media are varied and satisfying.
Thinkers360: How do you utilize Thinkers360?
CB: Thinkers 360 is a really exceptional resource and leadership fulcrum. I publish on the platform but more importantly I read and share content from others who have become an important part of my social media network. Every time I am on perusing LinkedIn or Twitter, I am sure to look for the most recent Thinkers360 posts to get a sense of trending topics. (Editors Note: See Chuck’s Thinkers360 In-Depth Profile & Portfolio).
Thinkers360: How do you like to work with brands who wish to engage you as a thought leader?
CB: First of all you have to like what they are representing in the marketplace as a company and believe in their products. As a thought leader in cybersecurity, homeland security and emerging tech, I am often asked to contribute to work products as an expert, write a blog, or be interviewed. I am also happy to promote to my almost 60,000 followers on Linked In and 12,000 on Twitter, and 5,000 on Facebook . Many of my social media connections are comprised of executives and c-suite types from industry, government, and media.
My friend and colleague, Stephane Nappo, 2018 Global CISO of the Year wrote a very nice recommendation (that is a great plug for my consulting firm too) on my background “Chuck is a brilliant strategist, technologist and thought leader in cybersecurity and emerging technologies, Chuck is a rare talent among the high-stature technology executives. He is not only a renowned social media influencer to follow, but also the expert you can rely on and listen confidently. Chuck’s multidisciplinary experience enables him to speak about strategic and operational aspects of business, technology and cybersecurity in an integrated way. Equally comfortable in writing for the press and public speaking, Chuck is an outstanding communicator, a clear thinker, and an empowering reliable peer and colleague. I express my sincerest gratitude and extend him my unreserved recommendation.”
Thinkers360: What are your current interest areas with regard to purpose-driven causes?
CB: As a family we have been active in a variety of charities including support for children’s hospitals, veterans, and animal welfare. My charity of focus this year is Tunnels to Towers Foundation and their Building for America’s Bravest program constructs custom smart homes for our most catastrophically injured service members returning home and fist responders injured in the line of duty to restore their ability to live a life of independence.
Thinkers360: What’s your main advice for upcoming thought leaders?
CB: There are several valuable elements for being a thought leader. These include: expertise; being able to dedicate yourself to learning and developing an credible knowledge on key issues, concepts, and policies, 2) communications; having to the ability to effectively write and speak, and 3) networking; being able to build relationships, both in person and in the digital social media ecosystem. My advice to upcoming thought leaders is cover all those elements. Learn read, study, and participate in leading organizations/groups to develop your expertise. Be prolific, write articles and blogs and post them on LinkedIn, Twitter and other sites. Be a part of the conversation, reach out to leaders in your areas of interest and do not be afraid to ask them to share their own insights with you.
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