The GSN <strong>2016</strong> Homeland <strong>Security</strong> Awards is becoming more of a priority with each passing day. The breaches are already happening in both the public and private sectors. GSN: What are your thoughts on the incoming Administration on homeland security issues? I think that the appointment of General John Kelly at DHS is an excellent one. He has the integrity, dedication, and amazing leadership skills need for the role of Secretary of Homeland <strong>Security</strong>. He has always been admire by those who serve under him and I know he will be well received by the law enforcement community. I like the fact that he has stressed cybersecurity and protecting the electric grid during his confirmation hearings. Also, the appointments of Tom Bossert as Homeland <strong>Security</strong> Advisor and former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to bring in expertise from the private sector on cyber tech and applications bodes well. In terms of across government mitigation efforts, cybersecurity continues to be a lead focus in the Department of Homeland <strong>Security</strong>’s (DHS) growing role as the leading civilian agency for protecting government agency networks and in coordinating and collaborating with the private sector. The Department of Homeland <strong>Security</strong> (DHS) is likely to continue to expand that role in the new Administration. Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, President Trump’s choice for national security adviser, is seasoned with a strong expertise on national security threats. On the Department of Defense (DOD) Community side, General James Mattis, who brings 41-years of Marine Corps experience, is another excellent appointment. He simply gets things done and he will provide exceptional leadership and resources, especially for the warfighter. I also like the appointments of Retired Senator Dan Coats of Indiana as Director of National Intelligence, and Congressman Mike Pompeo as Director of the CIA. Both are respected by their colleagues and have deep legislative oversight experience on national security issues. They bring the necessary leadership qualities to meet geopolitical challenges that require sharing of information, threat intelligence, technologies, and working with multiagency task forces. Although parameters and specifics of the mis- sions at DOD and in the Intelligence communities differ from DHS, there still needs to be a collaborative effort for protecting the homeland domestically and abroad, especially with cybersecurity. I think that the new Administration has assembled a very strong and capable security leadership team. GSN: Can you update us on your social media and thought leadership activities? Yes, last year I was selected by LinkedIn as “One of the Top 5 People to Follow On LinkedIn” by LinkedIn (I was named #2). I now have around 32,000 first degree followers on LinkedIn and manage or own 12 LI groups (mostly dealing with tech and security issues). I am also active on Twitter nearing 4,500 followers (please follow me @ChuckDBrooks) and on Facebook. As you all know, social media has become part of the digital fabric of how we communicate, operate, and conduct business in and out of government. In the recent months I have published over 100 articles blogs. My topic areas have included homeland security, cyber security, defense, CBRNE, IT, R & D, science & technology, public/private partnerships, IoT, innovation. In addition to <strong>Government</strong> <strong>Security</strong> <strong>News</strong>, I have been published in FORBES, Huffington Post, InformationWeek, MIT Sloan Blog, Computerworld, Federal Times, NextGov, Cygnus <strong>Security</strong> Media, Homeland <strong>Security</strong> Today, The Hill, Biometric Update, CIO Water Cooler, <strong>Government</strong> Executive, Bizcatalyst360, Brink, IT <strong>Security</strong> Planet, Christian Science Monitor, and others. I have also been very active on the speaking circuit at a variety of conferences and events at Universities and forums over the past year. A couple of highlight; a few months back I presented at a workshop sponsored by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Securing Life Sciences Data. I also spoke at George Washington University event about the Cyber Threat Spectrum along with co-panelists John Perren, former Assistant Director, FBI’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, and Lieutenant Colonel Scott Applegate, Strategic Planner, J5, Cyber Policy Continued on next page 6 7
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