ICCWS 2027
22nd International Conference on The convergence of AI with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Edge Computing
Biographies
Below are the ICCWS Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Dr Louise Leenen is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa, and holds a Research Chair in AI and Cybersecurity. She completed her PhD in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the University of Wollongong in Australia in 2009. She joined UWC in 2019 after working as a Principal Researcher at the CSIR in the Cyber Defence Research Group. Louise is a member of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CAIR) and leads the CAIR node in AI and Cybersecurity. She regularly serves in various positions on committees of national and international bodies and has authored more than 100 journal publications, book chapters and conference papers.
Dr Namosha Veerasamy is currently a Principal Researcher at the Information & Cyber Security Centre(ICSC) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa. She has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications. Namosha is also qualified as a Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). She serves on a number of conference committees and on the editorial board of the International Journal of Cyber Warfare and Terrorism. Namosha is also a Research Fellow at the University of Western Cape where she assists with student supervision. Namosha has been involved in cyber security research and governance for over 20 years.
Keynote Speakers
Prof Elmarie Biermann is the Director and founder of the Cyber Security Institute in South Africa. Elmarie specialises in ISO27000 and guiding organisations in identifying and managing cyber risk and data privacy and integrity. Elmarie also has vast educational and research experience and has partnered with Universities and Institutes to build specialized, customized cyber security training for global audiences. She has built CSI into a premier regional training and consulting cyber security firm and is recognized as a leading thought leader in the field. Elmarie holds a PhD in mobile agent security and is an acknowledged speaker at conferences on cyber-crime, cyber risk management and cyber intelligence. Elmarie has held an Adjunct Professorship at the French South African Institute of Technology in Cape Town for the security aspects of Nanosatellites and an Extraordinary Professorship in the Department of Strategic Studies, Faculty of Military Sciences at Stellenbosch University. She enjoys collaborating in global and industry research projects.
Mini Track Chairs
Dr. Zakariya Belkhamza is a faculty member at Ahmed Bin Mohammed Military College in Doha, Qatar, His research interests include information systems and strategic management with a focus on cybersecurity, digital governance, and policy innovation. He holds a PhD in Management Information Systems and has extensive experience in academic research, curriculum development, and statistical modelling. His work explores the intersection of emerging technologies, digital transformation, and cognitive strategy. Dr. Belkhamza has contributed to leadership education and digital transformation initiatives, and has presented at international conferences on cyberwarfare, development policy, and digital society, and published several books and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Christoph Lipps, graduated in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Kaiserslautern, where he meanwhile lectures as well. He is a Senior Researcher at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Kaiserslautern, Germany, heading the Cyber Resilience & Security Team of the Intelligent Networks Research Department. His research focuses on Physical Layer Security (PhySec), Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Methods, Security and Trust in the Sixth Generation (6G) Wireless Systems and all aspects of network and cyber security. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, member of the IEEE, ACM and VDE, as well as of the scientific advisory boards and technical program committees of multiple international conferences and journals.
Prof. Topside E. Mathonsi is an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of IT at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), South Africa. Holding a Doctor of Computing, his research spans cybersecurity, wireless communication systems, 5G, IoT, and smart agriculture. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and is deeply involved in academic leadership, mentoring numerous master’s and doctoral students. Prof. Mathonsi also serves as an examiner for various universities. His significant contributions have earned him several accolades, including TUT’s Institutional Award for Research in Training (Male), Younger Researcher of the Year, and the Huawei Future Star Award. A member of IEEE and IACSIT, he continues to advance ICT in South Africa.
Dr. Kasey Miller is an assistant professor at UNCW’s Congdon School and a retired Marine Major with expertise in cybersecurity and information systems. He holds a Ph.D. in Information Sciences from the Naval Postgraduate School and certifications including CISSP, PMP, CKM, and CQRM. Dr. Miller previously served at the U.S. Naval Academy and led cybersecurity programs for the Marine Corps, Navy, and CSIAC. His civilian roles included HIPAA compliance and automation for the II MEF, as well as program leadership at NAVAIR. A published author and speaker, he brings deep technical, academic, and operational experience to the cybersecurity field.
Dr. Char Sample is an assistant professor of cybersecurity at Marshall University. Dr. Sample has 40 years of industry experience beginning in software development, through product test and integration, and finally as a researcher (both applied and academic). Dr. Sample’s research areas are all cybersecurity related with an interest toward decision-making in cybersecurity.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Dr Armistead, CISSP is the President of Peregrine Technical Solutions, a small business that focuses on Maritime Cybersecurity as well as Facility Related Control Systems. He leads a number of different contracts where his team locks down these Operational Technology requirements, plus Peregrine has developed a number of playbooks to exercise cyber security incidents at sea.