Chuck Brooks: Crafting Cybersecurity's Future, from Policy to Quantum Frontiers

As the digital fabric of our lives continues to expand, we find ourselves increasingly reliant on the labyrinth of interconnected systems and devices that underpin our modern existence.

But with every new piece of tech that we bring into our homes, every app we download onto our smartphones, and every piece of data we entrust to the cloud, we expose ourselves to an ever-growing array of cyber threats.

It's a complex, often daunting world, where the very technologies that empower us can also leave us vulnerable. In this rapidly evolving landscape, few guides are as experienced, as knowledgeable, or as engaged as Chuck Brooks.

Originally from Chicago, Chuck made his way to D.C. after an impressive academic journey, which included a stint at The Hague Academy of International Law. Today, this die-hard Cubs, Bears, and Bulls fan sports a different hat, as the proud founder of Brooks Consulting International, where he consults on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies.

“Through my consulting firm, I engage in marketing, government relations, and influencer thought leadership, specifically focusing on cybersecurity, AI, and emerging technologies," Chuck explains, with a calm confidence that betrays years of navigating the complex dynamics of the cybersecurity industry.

The path Chuck has charted is far from ordinary. His career started in the public sector, where he received two senior Presidential appointments and served as a key player in the Department of Homeland Security's early days. From government, Chuck extended his reach into academia, industry, and media, becoming a prolific speaker and writer on cybersecurity, homeland security, and technology.

In the world of academia, Chuck is an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University's Applied Intelligence Program and graduate Cybersecurity Risk Management Programs. He also lent his expertise to Johns Hopkins University as an adjunct faculty member, where he taught a graduate course on homeland security for two years.

His journey through the private sector is just as compelling. His roles have included Senior Executive positions in Fortune 1000 and several corporations, at companies from General Dynamics to Xerox.

In the media sphere, Chuck’s contribution is sizable. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and has published more than 300 articles and blogs on pressing issues in the field. His TV show on SkyTop Media, covering intelligence and security topics, is on the horizon.

Recognition has not been shy in coming his way. Chuck boasts an impressive following on LinkedIn and has been recognized as a top influencer in his field. "I was named 'Cybersecurity Person of the Year for 2022' by The Cyber Express, and as one of the world’s '10 Best Cyber Security and Technology Experts' by Best Rated," he reveals. These accolades and many more are a testament to Chuck’s expertise and influence.

And yet, at his core, Chuck is a family man, passionate about his wife, two daughters, and their rescued Eskimo dog. He is also a food enthusiast, running a 'DC Foodies' group on LinkedIn, and is a self-confessed reality TV fan. In another life, he was a powerlifter and a martial artist. How he has found the time to do all this, I wish I knew!

However, it's cybersecurity that would become his career. Chuck’s journey in cybersecurity started when he was at the Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate. He explains; “It was evident that the world was moving from analog to digital, and that our world was going to change."

But this journey has not been without its challenges. Chuck likens his struggle to promote cybersecurity awareness and best practices to a stubborn horse who won't drink the water. The expanding digital attack surface, the shift to remote work, and the rise of cyber threats have not made the task any easier.

Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his mission. He sees Public Private Partnerships (PPP) based on risk management frameworks as the cornerstone of promoting cybersecurity awareness. He underscores, "Mitigating evolving cyber threats and being resilient to breaches are paramount for critical infrastructure protection."

Chuck is a staunch believer in the power of collaboration and partnerships in effectively tackling cybersecurity challenges. "It really starts from the top down," he explains. When it comes to successful cybersecurity, leadership is key. CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers), CTOs, CIOs, and executive management must communicate effectively, align strategies, and regularly assess their information security programs. Information collaboration, Chuck suggests, is the lifeblood of a successful cybersecurity initiative.

"It is smart to utilize the collective talent and research and development arms of allied countries, and  Public to Private sector cooperation should be an integral part of alliances," he advises. The global threat actors targeting critical infrastructure come in various forms: terrorists, criminals, hackers, organized crime, and, in some cases, adversarial nation states. Meeting these threats head-on requires robust security strategies built on vigilant public-private partnerships.

Within this broad coalition, organizations and associations also have a crucial role to play. Chuck points out, "They are a gathering place to share best practices and develop new approaches to help mitigate cyber threats."

And he has resource recommendations in spades: AFCEA, CompTIA, The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC), The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI), National Academy of Sciences, SANS, IEEE, and ISC2 are among his suggestions.

It is only fitting that a man with so much experience and knowledge would choose to share this wealth with the next generation. In his role as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University, Chuck prioritizes critical thinking. He aspires to prepare his students to innovate and offer solutions. He aims to provide them with the skills to understand, evaluate, and address key questions that arise for businesses and organizations.

But it's not just traditional methods that Chuck encourages his students to explore. He passionately discusses how disruptive technologies are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape. "We are proceeding in an era of 'Malthusian' advances in science and technology, enabled by faster computing and ever-expanding data analytics," he explains. This new technological era, which Chuck describes as the fusion of our physical and digital systems, is set to impact security, economy, and our way of life profoundly.

“There are a variety of emerging technologies in our industry, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, predictive analytics, the Internet of Things, 5G, as well as other significant areas of development such as 3D printing, blockchain and quantum computing.” Here, Chuck draws on the words of famous futurist Michio Kaku, who he says “characterizes the technological shift we are experiencing as moving from the ‘age of discovery’ to the ‘age of mastery.’ [Kaku] characterizes it as a period in our history where we will be able to harness our technologies and control our destinies.”

The implications for cybersecurity are vast. According to Chuck, “Cybersecurity is the glue that permeates the digital ecosystem of disruptive tech and holds it together for secure operations.” He sees automation, combined with artificial and machine intelligence, as the future cybersecurity pathway: “AI is really going to be a big catalyst for cybersecurity. It will enable real-time threat detection and real-time analysis. Companies will be able to monitor what is in their system, and who may be doing things that are anomalies.” He sees the future of cybersecurity leveraging automation, AI, and machine learning.

While Chuck acknowledges the transformative benefits of emerging technologies, he also stresses the risks if businesses and shareholders are unprepared to assimilate them—especially when hackers and bad actors are more than willing to assimilate new technologies. The solution, he explains, is industry frameworks that emphasize planning, ethical policy protocols, and systematic technology integration. Read his article on the topic here.

The convergence of blockchain technology and cybersecurity is another area of interest for Chuck. He views blockchain as a good tool for integration into cybersecurity practices due to its decentralization, use of cryptographic principles, and difficulty to breach data.

On the research front, Chuck is consulting on several projects ranging from quantum to artificial intelligence. He is also part of a government agency leading a technology working group focused on helping cybersecure space assets, and has written about space assets for Forbes here. Despite the proprietary nature of some of these projects, Chuck promises they will likely come into the public spotlight soon.

For Chuck, developing a successful cybersecurity strategy within organizations requires a 'yin-and-yang formula' of technical expertise and executive buy-in. He stresses the need for a clear and well-defined plan, which includes protecting data and establishing governance. Unfortunately, a common misconception he encounters is that some organizations believe they will not be targeted—a dangerous assumption in today's digital landscape.

"The fact is everyone is a target," Chuck states unequivocally. Today, cyber threats are more sophisticated than ever before, and the basics—strong passwords and multi-factor authentication—are not always prioritized.

"The biggest pitfall is that most organizations are reactive rather than proactive," he notes. For Chuck, being proactive in cybersecurity is more than just acquiring technology or hiring experts. It requires adopting a robust cybersecurity framework involving tactical measures, encryption, authentication, biometrics, analytics, continuous testing, diagnostics, and mitigation.

Chuck highlights the importance of comprehensive risk assessment—a critical first step in cybersecurity best practices. Such an assessment can quickly identify and prioritize cyber vulnerabilities, allowing for the immediate deployment of solutions to protect critical assets.

Cyber-hygiene practices are also vital to one’s cybersecurity plan. This includes everything from education and training to code testing to regular network audits. Chuck has written about the Three Pillars of Cybersecurity—Security by Design, Defense in Depth, and Zero Trust—here.

Educating and raising awareness about cybersecurity among non-technical individuals or organizations is another significant challenge. Chuck recognizes that the task is daunting, particularly since "very few in management understand the importance of technology or cybersecurity issues."

To overcome this, he advocates for a strong board of directors and advisors. "Board directors should have a working understanding of risk management and have context on the different array of threats and threat actors," he recommends.

But the reality is that many companies are slow to seek outside help. To bridge the gap, Chuck takes on the role of an evangelist, distilling complex technical jargon into easily understandable concepts. This is done through outreach, speaking at conferences, and through his writings.

"LinkedIn is a real force for digital influence," he asserts, pointing to the platform as an effective tool for promoting discussion on risk management issues. For Chuck, platforms like LinkedIn have become a crucial part of how he communicates, operates, and conducts business—effectively making cybersecurity part of the broader conversation.

As a respected voice in the cybersecurity community, Chuck observes the unfolding landscape with a sobering reality in mind: "We are all playing catchup in cybersecurity."

He notes that the internet, born in a government laboratory and then commercialized in the private sector, was originally designed for “open communication”—cybersecurity was not a priority. This perspective, though, has shifted now that connectivity and commerce on the Internet have skyrocketed.

For Chuck, the challenges are daunting and multi-faceted. “State actors and cyber criminals are automating cyber-attacks, malware is becoming more sophisticated and lethal, the speed of attacks is also growing, and organization’s exposed and attackable assets are exponentially expanding with hybrid clouds and with billions of Internet of Things devices attaching to the networks.”

In this digital era, the defense perimeter has practically dissolved.

Among the pressing issues, six stand out: critical infrastructure protection, adapting to Cloud and Edge Trends, ransomware, IoT threat mitigation, protecting the digital supply chain, and bringing cyber expertise to the board level.

Despite the magnitude of these challenges, Chuck retains an impressive sense of purpose. When asked what keeps him going, he responds with enthusiasm, "I am always eager to learn more as life is an adventure and exciting possibilities can be ahead on the journey!"

As our conversation concludes, Chuck leaves us with one final, poignant note that echoes throughout his life and work: "Be a contributor for the better by fostering altruism, knowledge, and collaboration." Sharing his wealth of knowledge with us at Machinelab seems part and parcel of that mission.

Chuck’s story is one of ceaseless pursuit of knowledge and collaborative innovation, from his roots in Chicago, through his ventures in academia, industry, and media, to his current position at the helm of Brooks Consulting International. Whether he's shaping policy at the highest echelons of government, consulting on state-of-the-art technologies, educating the next generation of cybersecurity experts, or inspiring thousands of followers on LinkedIn, Chuck remains driven by a steadfast commitment to broaden understanding, foster collaboration, and navigate the challenging terrain of cybersecurity.

As the digital landscape evolves, one thing is certain: Chuck Brooks will continue to be at the forefront, ever eager to explore what lies ahead on the journey, and more than ready to share the knowledge and insights gained along the way.

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Images courtesy of: Chuck Brooks

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