Chuck Brooks

Chuck Brooks is currently the President of Brooks Consulting International, where he serves as a globally recognised expert in cybersecurity and emerging technologies. He is also the Principal Market Growth Strategist for General Dynamics Mission Systems. With over 25 years of experience, Chuck has gained recognition as one of the leading voices in cybersecurity and technology innovation.

Brooks has served as Vice President of Research and Development at Rapiscan Systems Inc., where he led efforts to expand government-funded development contracts. He coordinated research and development revenue relationships with major agencies, including DHS, DOD, DOE, and the EU. Before that, he was the Senior Director for Strategic Partnering, Business Development, Marketing, and Government Relations at Keane Inc. (NTT Data), focusing on teaming relationships and government outreach.

Brooks was also the Vice President at SRA International, where he was responsible for managing governmental relationships. He has also served in the public sector as the first Director of Legislative Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from 2003 to 2007, where he coordinated all Capitol Hill activities for the Directorate of Science and Technology.

Brooks is also a published author. His latest book Inside Cyber: How AI, 5G, IoT, and Quantum Computing Are Changing the Cyber Landscape explores the impact of emerging technologies on cybersecurity and outlines strategies for addressing the challenges they present. He is a frequent speaker on cybersecurity and emerging technology topics and has contributed to numerous publications, including Forbes, MIT Sloan Blog, and Huffington Post. His expertise spans cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and Internet of Things (IoT).

He has won several awards, including being named "Cybersecurity Marketer of the Year" in the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards, and he was recognised as one of the "Top Tech Voices to Follow" on LinkedIn.

Chuck Brooks has been involved in many leadership roles within cybersecurity and technology associations. He is a co-founding member of The #CyberAvengers and has served as the Chairman of CompTIA’s New and Emerging Technologies Committee.

Brooks holds an M.A. in Foreign Affairs and International Relations from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Political Science from DePauw University. He has also completed a graduate-level certificate course on case studies in bio-terrorism from Georgetown University Medical School and holds a certificate from The Hague Academy of International Law.

Chuck Brooks was born in 1958 and has built an impressive career spanning over 25 years in cybersecurity, emerging technologies, government relations, and marketing. His journey into public service and technology began after he completed his higher education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from DePauw University in 1979. He later pursued a Master’s degree in International Relations at the University of Chicago in 1981, where he studied international law, finance, and strategic studies under prominent scholars. During his time at the University of Chicago, he also attended The Hague Academy of International Law, further enriching his knowledge of international diplomacy.

Brooks began his professional career in government, working as a Senior Legislative Aide for Senator Arlen Specter from 1988 to 1994. In this role, he covered issues related to national security, foreign affairs, science and technology, and international trade. He also contributed to the Pentagon’s Strategic Defense Initiative Legislative Staff Working Group. Concurrently, he managed political campaign activities, including direct mail and PAC coordination for the Senator’s election campaigns.

In 2003, Brooks joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as its first Director of Legislative Affairs for the Science & Technology Directorate. Over the next four years, he coordinated all legislative activities for the Directorate, which had a budget of $1.6 billion. His work involved legislative initiatives related to cybersecurity, counter-terrorism technologies, and securing funding for the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). During his tenure at DHS, Brooks held Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance and received the highest performance reviews every year.

After leaving DHS in 2007, Brooks transitioned into the private sector, joining SRA International Inc. as Vice President of Government Relations. He reported directly to the CEO and was responsible for maintaining relations between the company and the U.S. government. His work focused on national security, civil, and global health sectors. He also coordinated outreach strategies with federal agencies to enhance marketing and business development efforts. Brooks left SRA in 2009 and joined Keane Inc. (NTT Data) as Senior Director of Strategic Partnering, Business Development, and Government Relations. During his time there, he focused on sourcing alliances, managing government relations, and exploring business opportunities in India’s defence and homeland security market.

From 2010 to 2012, Brooks served as Vice President of R&D and Federal Marketing & Sales at Rapiscan Systems Inc. His work there focused on developing products for inspecting baggage, cargo, and vehicles for security purposes. He also managed senior teams of scientists, developed government-funded R&D contracts, and oversaw strategic partnerships.

In recent years, Brooks has established himself as a prominent voice in cybersecurity and technology innovation. He served as Vice President for Government Relations and Marketing at Sutherland Government Solutions, leading efforts in business development and emerging technologies. He has been an advisor to various organisations, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and contributed as a thought leader on cybersecurity, defence, and public-private partnerships.

Brooks is also a published author. His book Inside Cyber: How AI, 5G, IoT, and Quantum Computing Are Changing the Cyber Landscape explores the intersection of emerging technologies and cybersecurity. In the book, he examines how artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum computing are transforming the cybersecurity landscape and presents strategies for addressing the challenges these technologies bring. His publication work extends to contributions in major outlets such as Forbes, The Huffington Post, and MIT Sloan Blog, where he writes on topics including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and blockchain.

His insights and contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including being named Cybersecurity Marketer of the Year in 2016 and 2017, and being recognised among LinkedIn’s "Top 5 Tech Voices to Follow."

In addition to his work in the private sector, Brooks is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins University, where he has taught courses on Congress and Homeland Security. He has also been actively involved with the CompTIA New and Emerging Technologies Committee as Vice Chairman.

In 2024, Brooks continues his work as the President of Brooks Consulting International, where he provides strategic consulting services in cybersecurity and emerging technologies. He also serves as the Principal Market Growth Strategist for General Dynamics Mission Systems, focusing on cybersecurity and national security-related technologies. He remains a key figure in the cybersecurity community, frequently speaking at industry events and contributing to thought leadership on pressing technological issues.

Chuck Brooks' vision is to drive innovation and strengthen security in both public and private sectors through the advancement of cybersecurity and emerging technologies. He aims to create stronger public-private partnerships to address global security challenges, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). By fostering collaboration among governments, industries, and academia, he envisions a future where technology is used responsibly to protect critical infrastructure and enhance public safety. Brooks is committed to shaping policies that support innovation while maintaining a focus on security and risk management in a rapidly evolving digital world.

He was named “Cybersecurity Marketer of the Year” by the Cybersecurity Excellence Awards in 2016 and 2017. Brooks has also been recognised as one of the “Top Tech Voices to Follow” on LinkedIn and was honoured with the “Cybersecurity Leader of the Week” by General Dynamics. Additionally, he has served as a lead judge for various industry awards, including the Homeland Security Awards and the Airport, Seaport, and Border Security Awards, further cementing his reputation as a leader in the cybersecurity field.