ICCWS 2026
21st International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security
Biographies
Below are the ICCWS Biographies of the Conference and Programme Chairs, Key Note Speakers and Mini-Track Chairs.
Conference and Programme Chairs
Dr. Ulku Clark is a Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Systems at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) and the Director of the Center for Cyber Defense Education (CCDE). She is also the principal investigator of a maritime cybersecurity research group. With extensive experience in cybersecurity education, research, and industry collaboration, Dr. Clark plays a critical role in shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. She has organized numerous cybersecurity conferences, workshops, and research initiatives, emphasizing the importance of cyber resilience, analytics, and defense strategies. As a co-chair of ICCWS 2026, Dr. Clark is dedicated to fostering global discussions on emerging cybersecurity threats and innovations.
Dr. Toni Pence is the Department Chair of Computer Science and an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and has been on faculty since 2015. She earned her M.S. and Ph.D. from Clemson University and her B.S. from Winthrop University. Her research focuses on human computer interaction, user interface design, usability design and experimentation, virtual and augmented reality, and simulation training. With over a decade of experience in academia, she has built a strong reputation in the field of extended reality in education. Her work has received funding from the National Science Foundation. In 2016, she was a recipient of UNCW’s Discere Aude Award for outstanding mentorship of undergraduate students and has continued to make a positive impact in the lives of those around her.
Dr. Bilge Karabacak is an assistant professor at the Cameron School of Business at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, with over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity across academia, industry, and government. He holds an M.S. in Computer Science and a Ph.D. in Information Systems with a specialization in cybersecurity. Before transitioning to academia in 2020, Dr. Karabacak co-founded a cybersecurity startup in Silicon Valley, managed cloud-based security products, and worked as an information security analyst at a multinational bank. He later chaired the Master’s in Cybersecurity program at Franklin University before joining UNCW. His research focuses on information security risk analysis, cybersecurity maturity assessment, and maritime cybersecurity.
Keynote Speakers
Rob Main is a veteran IT professional with over 35 years of leadership experience, who joined the US Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in June 2023 and presently serves as CISA Region 4’s Cybersecurity State Coordinator for North Carolina. In that role, he offers cybersecurity assistance to critical infrastructure owners and operators and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments in North Carolina. Prior to his current role, Rob held several positions within North Carolina state government since 1998, including State Chief Risk Officer for the State of North Carolina and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for three Executive Branch Agencies. Additionally, Rob is an U.S. Air Force veteran, having served a combined 25 years on active duty and with the North Carolina Air National Guard. He retired from military service in 2015 as a Major in the Air Logistics specialty. Rob earned his associate’s degree in Computer Science from the Community College of the Air Force in 1996, his bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Business Administration from Troy State University in 1998, his Master of Business Administration degree from East Carolina University in 2008, his Certified Government Chief Information Officer certification from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2015, and his Certified Information Security Manager certification from ISACA in 2025.
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.Â
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.