Meet our keynote speaker, Chuck Brooks, President of Brooks Consulting International, who is a globally recognized thought leader and expert in the fields of cybersecurity and emerging technologies. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top 5 Tech People to Follow, Chuck has earned widespread recognition for his contributions to the cybersecurity landscape. He was honored as “Cybersecurity Person of the Year” by Cyber Express and has been listed among the “10 Best Cybersecurity and Technology Experts” by Best Rated. In addition, Thomson Reuters recognized him as one of the “Top 50 Global Influencers in Risk and Compliance,” while CISO Platform awarded him the title of “Best of the World in Security.” He also ranks as the “#2 Global Cybersecurity Influencer” by Thinkers360.

Chuck’s expertise and influence have earned him prominent placements in industry rankings, including the 2020 and 2021 Onalytica “Who’s Who in Cybersecurity”, where he was recognized as a top influencer in cybersecurity and risk management. He has also been named one of the “Top 5 Executives to Follow on Cybersecurity” by Executive Mosaic.

A frequent contributor to major publications, Chuck is a cybersecurity expert for The Network at The Washington Post, a visiting editor at Homeland Security Today, and an expert for Executive Mosaic/GovCon. He also contributes to Forbes and has made significant appearances in various media outlets. With more than 104,000 followers on LinkedIn and a dedicated following on Twitter and Facebook, Chuck also runs a popular newsletter, Security & Tech Trends, which reaches over 48,000 subscribers.

Chuck’s career spans both government and industry. In government, he has held two senior Presidential appointments. Under President George W. Bush, he served as the first Legislative Director of the Science & Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He was also appointed as Special Assistant to the Director of Voice of America under President Reagan. Chuck has advised lawmakers on Capitol Hill, notably as a senior advisor to the late Senator Arlen Specter, focusing on security and technology issues. He is currently serving on a DHS CISA working group exploring space and satellite cybersecurity.

In the private sector, Chuck has held senior leadership roles at General Dynamics, Xerox, Rapiscan, SRA, and Sutherland, where he helped shape cybersecurity strategies and led government relations efforts. He is also an advisor to several corporate and nonprofit boards.

As an academic, Chuck serves as an adjunct faculty member at Georgetown University, where he teaches courses on risk management, cybersecurity, and homeland security. He has also taught at Johns Hopkins University and has designed and taught courses on disruptive technologies and organizational management.

Chuck holds 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 Academy of International Law.

In addition to his consulting and academic work, Chuck is a frequent speaker at conferences, webinars, and podcasts. He has published over 250 articles and blogs on cybersecurity, homeland security, and technology. Recently, he briefed the G-20 Energy Conference on operating systems cybersecurity and presented on global cooperation in cybersecurity at the Holy See and the US Embassy in Rome.

Chuck’s broad influence extends to his role as a Subject Matter Expert for the Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC), a DoD-sponsored organization, as well as his involvement with USTRANSCOM, the FBI, and the National Academy of Sciences on various cybersecurity initiatives. He is also a member of the Advisory Board for the Quantum Security Alliance.

Through his leadership, expertise, and tireless advocacy for innovation and security, Chuck Brooks continues to shape the future of cybersecurity and technology on a global scale.